20 Years of EU health values (2006–2026): four proposals for the future

The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 2026 Open access

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Authors: Markus Frischhut, Barbara Prainsack, Tamara Hervey, Anniek de Ruijter, Tomislav Sokol, Nick Guldemond, Joaquin Cayón-De Las Cuevas, den Exter A, Nick Fahy, Guerino Massimo Oscar Fares
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101589
Cited by: 2
References: 1

Abstract

In 2006—two decades ago—all EU health ministers adopted a resolution entitled “Council Conclusions on Common values and principles in European Union Health Systems”.1 This document articulated what they considered a distinctly European approach to healthcare, centred on universality, access to good quality care, equity, and solidarity. Around this time, national governments sought to reassert national control over health policy, often reacting against what they perceived as EU ‘encroachment’ into a domain traditionally reserved for Members States.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Health Systems Economic Evaluations Quality of Life Public Health Policies and Education Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism

Publication details

Journal / source
The Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
61
Pages
101589–101589
Publication date
23 January 2026
Language
EN