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Although Europeans are healthier than ever, there are still big differences between various groups, with each having its own specific challenges and needs.
One such group is the elderly. EU Health Strategy seeks to foster good health as people age, through measures promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing disease throughout a person's life. It also emphasises the importance of considering gender specific differences and improving the health of young people.
To encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles early in life, the European Commission is taking action on key issues such as nutrition and physical activity, alcohol, mental health, tobacco, sexual health, healthy environments, health inequalities, drugs and injury prevention.
Biological differences between men and women can affect their health in different ways, with problems requiring different treatments.
Also, even with illnesses and diseases that affect both sexes, health outcomes and access to healthcare differ between men and women.
By 2025 more than 20% of Europeans will be 65 or over, with a particularly rapid increase in the number of over 80s.
Older people clearly have different healthcare requirements and as the population gets older, health systems need to adapt so they can provide adequate care.