International Longevity Centre UK
ILC
ILC is the UK’s leading authority on the impact of longevity on society.
ID: 809528645481-86
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU cardiovascular health plan
16 Sept 2025
The International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK), the leading authority on the impact of longevity on society, welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop an EU Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Plan. By 2050, the number of people aged 6574 will rise by 16.6% and those aged 7584 by 56.1%, while populations under 55 will decline by 13.5%. The number of people aged 65 and over will grow from 90.5 million in 2019 to 129.8 million by 2050, with Eastern and Southern Europe facing the greatest demographic pressures. Ignoring ageings impact on CVH risks undermining progress to reduce the CVD burden. We therefore urge the Commissions Cardiovascular Health Group to nominate a Longevity Lead to identify and address demographic drivers of CVD and embed sustainable solutions. Europeans are living longer, but on average spend ten years in poor health. Prevention across the life course is the most effective way to reduce the CVD burden. EU countries investing more in prevention achieve better healthy life expectancies and lower NCD mortality. The economic case is clear: a 0.1% increase in prevention spending could unlock a 9% rise in consumer spending among over-60s. Prevention also supports longer working lives, helping address Europes skills shortages. The average person works just 28 years between ages 15 and 65, according to ILC-UKs Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index the second shortest work span across 12 major blocs. We recommend placing prevention at the heart of the EU CVH Plan and urge governments to allocate at least 7.8% of health budgets to prevention, in line with Germany, the EU leader in prevention investment. We welcome the Commissions focus on risk factors, early detection, and inequities but urge it to go further. This requires tighter regulation of HFSS foods, tobacco, alcohol, and vapes. It also means tackling ageism in healthcare, as evidence shows younger people are more likely to receive cardiological investigations such as echocardiography or cholesterol checks. Vaccination must be recognised as a core tool of CVD prevention. People with CVD are nearly ten times more likely to develop pneumococcal disease. Vaccines significantly reduce risk: pneumococcal vaccination cuts CVD-related deaths by 8% and overall CVD events by 14%, while flu vaccines may reduce cardiac events by 45% and stroke deaths by 50%. Yet uptake remains low: just 44% for flu (vs. the 75% WHO target) and 2030% for pneumococcal vaccines. Immunisation must be embedded in primary care as an essential medicine in CVD prevention and control. Air pollution also demands urgent attention. While the Beating Cancer Plan recognises its dangers, only one EU member state currently meets WHO thresholds for Particulate Matter 2.5 a major risk factor for stroke and ischaemic heart disease. Greater investment is needed to reduce exposure. We also welcome the Commissions recognition of Structural Heart Diseases (SHD) but stress the condition is largely preventable. With ageing, SHD prevalence could rise to 20 million by 2040 (a 43% increase), yet awareness is low only one in eight Europeans has heard of SHD. We propose EU-wide early detection guidelines, and the right for all people aged 65+ to an annual check-up including an SHD consultation and stethoscope check. Finally, the Commission must prioritise cross-sector collaboration. This includes funding employer-led preventative programmes such as vaccination, empowering local governments to adapt infrastructure for active travel, and investing in built environments that promote social connection and physical activity. By recognising ageing as a key driver of cardiovascular health and embedding prevention across the life course, Europe can reduce the burden of CVD, tackle inequities, and enable longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
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