The European Commission is launching European Screening Week and its “Know Your Numbers” campaign to coincide with World Heart Day, with a focus on prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.
European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi said Europe’s health systems face growing pressures from ageing populations, chronic disease, workforce challenges and climate and economic crises. He argued that greater emphasis on prevention will be essential to maintaining sustainable and equitable healthcare.
Cardiovascular disease remains leading cause of death
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Europe, claiming around 1.7 million lives each year, according to Várhelyi.
However, almost 80% of premature deaths could be prevented through prevention and early detection.
Up to 45% of adults may have high blood pressure, with around half unaware of their condition. The proportion of people living with diabetes has increased by 22% in a decade, while obesity now affects around 9% of children and young people aged five to 19.
Tobacco use also remains high, while e-cigarette use is increasingly widespread. Among young people, e-cigarette use is twice as high as among adults.
Other nicotine products are also growing rapidly in popularity, supported by a wide range of flavours and promotion on social media.
Although overall alcohol consumption has declined, the EU average of approximately 10 litres per person continues to represent a significant health risk.
Without action, Várhelyi said the burden of cardiovascular disease could double by 2050.
Prevention accounts for 3% of health spending
Várhelyi called for a fundamental shift towards prevention, warning that health systems will otherwise struggle to provide sustainable and equal access to care.
EU member states currently devote only 3% of healthcare spending to prevention.
“Intervening only when a disease has already developed is neither sustainable nor fair,” he said.
In December 2025, the European Commission adopted the Safe Hearts plan for cardiovascular health, which aims to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease by 25% by 2035.
Prevention and early detection are central elements of the plan.
‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign begins
European Screening Week also marks the start of the longer-term “Know Your Numbers” campaign, encouraging people to become familiar with basic indicators of cardiovascular and metabolic health.
The campaign focuses particularly on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Knowing these measurements can provide a starting point for discussions with healthcare professionals and allow potential risks to be addressed earlier.
“The message is simple: measure your numbers, learn what they mean and seek the advice of a healthcare professional,” Várhelyi said.
He stressed that prevention depends both on informed participation by individuals and access to professional support when medical intervention is required.
Building a culture of prevention
The initiative aims to encourage people across Europe to take a more active role in protecting their health and identifying preventable conditions earlier.
Várhelyi said the Commission hopes the first European Screening Week will provide the basis for reaching more people in future and help develop a stronger European culture of disease prevention.
“Simple actions can make a real difference,” he said.
Information about activities taking place in individual countries is available through the European Screening Week website.
Source: Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare / European Commission
