12 May 2026
Beatrice Formenti

During a high-level discussion bringing together EU and regional stakeholders, JACARDI Coordinator Benedetta Armocida highlighted how coordinated European action can bridge research, policy, and implementation in advancing the EU Safe Hearts Plan. The meeting aimed to explore how regional and local authorities can contribute to shaping and implementing the plan, bringing forward territorial perspectives and feeding into the upcoming Committee of the Regions opinion.

On 6 May 2026, the Interregional Group on Health and Well-being of the European Committee of the Regions, with the support of EUREGHA, hosted the high-level discussion “Shaping the EU Safe Hearts Plan: regional perspectives for cardiovascular health” in Brussels.

The meeting brought together representatives from EU institutions, regional and local authorities, healthcare professionals, researchers, and public health stakeholders to discuss how to advance the implementation of the Safe Hearts Plan (SHP) through stronger multilevel governance and regional action. JACARDI contributed to the discussion as a key European initiative in this field to support the objectives of the SHP. 

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disability in Europe, placing a major burden on individuals, health systems, and economies. Against this backdrop, the discussion highlighted the importance of translating European policy ambitions into concrete and equitable actions adapted to regional and local realities.

Speakers included: 

The discussion underscored several priorities for the future implementation of the SHP, including strengthening prevention and health promotion, improving early detection and screening, ensuring continuity and integration of care pathways, and addressing persistent inequalities in cardiovascular outcomes, including the cardiovascular gender gap, across and within European regions. 

Evidence-informed policies and prevention beyond healthcare settings


Participants also highlighted the growing importance of data systems and digital innovation in supporting evidence-informed and more equitable cardiovascular health policies. At the same time, speakers stressed that effective prevention strategies must extend beyond healthcare settings and reach people directly within schools, workplaces, and local communities, especially underserved populations and people living in vulnerable situations.

Coordinated European action through JACARDI


In this context, Benedetta Armocida presented JACARDI as a concrete example of how coordinated European action can support the objectives of the Safe Hearts Plan by bridging research, policy, and implementation. The Joint Action contributes to strengthening national and regional capacities, fostering collaboration across health systems, and reducing fragmentation in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The discussion concluded with a shared recognition that achieving the ambitions of the EU Safe Hearts Plan will require sustained collaboration between EU, national, regional, and local actors, alongside continued investment in prevention, integrated care, and equity. 

The meeting further demonstrated the added value of creating spaces for dialogue between policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and implementers. Bringing together actors operating at different governance levels allows for the exchange of practical experiences, the identification of shared challenges, and the co-development of solutions that are both evidence-based and feasible in real-world settings. Such multistakeholder engagement is essential to ensure that European strategies are translated into sustainable and impactful actions at the regional and local level.