Public Health Europe - European Commission - EU

To exploit the full potential of contact tracing and warning apps to break the chain of coronavirus infections across borders and save lives, the Commission, at the invitation by EU Member States, has set up an EU-wide system to ensure interoperability – a so-called ‘gateway'.

As Europe learns to live with the pandemic, the development and swift global deployment of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 remains an essential element in the eventual solution to the public health crisis.

John F. Ryan, Director of the EC Directorate for Public Health, talks about the Commission’s work in the field of mental health, including a new Joint Action in Mental Health and a new stakeholders’ group on the EU Health Policy Platform that specifically addresses mental health issues in light of COVID-19.

Stefan Schreck, Head of Unit of Health promotion, disease prevention, financial instruments, talks to us ahead of World Heart Day on 29 September. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of premature death around the world.