JACARDI expertise reflected in new EU recommendations on cardiovascular health checks

The European Commission has proposed new recommendations to support cardiovascular health checks across the European Union. The recommendations place strong emphasis on prevention, early detection, equitable access and reaching people at higher risk, areas that have also been central priorities in JACARDI’s work on cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention.

The initiative aims to improve the early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, helping reduce preventable illness and premature deaths across Europe.

The new recommendations support Member States in developing and implementing national cardiovascular health check programmes. They encourage actions that help identify risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar and obesity at an early stage, enabling timely prevention and treatment.

Shared priorities: prevention, equity and early detection

Many of the themes highlighted in the recommendations align closely with JACARDI’s objectives. Throughout the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), experts have worked to strengthen prevention, improve early detection of risk factors and reduce health inequalities across Europe. These perspectives have also been reflected in discussions and expert contributions supporting the development of European policies and recommendations.

“Seeing JACARDI’s work reflected in the proposed recommendations is a significant milestone. It demonstrates how evidence generated through European collaboration can help shape policies that strengthen prevention, improve access to health checks and support better cardiovascular health outcomes across the EU,” says Hanna Tolonen, lead of JACARDI’s Screening Work Package and Deputy Director General of Research, Development and Innovation at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

The Commission’s proposal stresses that cardiovascular health checks should be accessible to everyone and pay particular attention to people at higher risk and groups that may face barriers to healthcare. It also highlights the importance of health literacy, public awareness and tailored outreach activities that help people understand their cardiovascular risk and access preventive services.

The recommendations additionally recognise the potential of health innovation, including data-driven and artificial intelligence-based tools, to strengthen risk assessment and support prevention when used responsibly and with appropriate human oversight.

For JACARDI, the proposed recommendations represent an important step towards a more preventive, equitable and evidence-informed approach to cardiovascular health across Europe.

Further information:
European Commission press release
EU cardiovascular health recommendations and policy information

First EU Screening Week puts prevention and early detection in the spotlight

From 28 September to 4 October 2026, activities across Europe will raise awareness of silent cardiometabolic risks and encourage people to know the numbers that matter.

The first-ever EU Screening Week will create a shared European moment for prevention, bringing together public health organisations, healthcare professionals, patient groups and other partners around a simple message:

Blood pressure. Cholesterol. Blood sugar. Know the numbers that matter.

The European Commission initiative forms part of the Know Your Numbers campaign under the EU Safe Hearts Plan. Taking place around World Heart Day on 29 September, it aims to increase awareness of health checks and the importance of identifying cardiovascular and metabolic risks earlier.

High blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, often without causing noticeable symptoms. Checking these indicators can reveal hidden risks, enable earlier action and contribute to better health outcomes.

A European moment for prevention

Organisations can take part in many ways, from health checks and community events to workplace or pharmacy initiatives, webinars, media outreach and digital campaigns.

Organisations planning an activity can register it by 20 September for possible inclusion on the EU Screening Week interactive map. The map will help make prevention activities across Europe more visible and show the breadth of organisations contributing to the campaign.

Campaign information and materials are available through the European Commission’s EU Screening Week website. Organisations and individuals can also support the initiative by sharing its resources and spreading the message through their own networks.

From identifying risk to taking action

EU Screening Week closely reflects JACARDI’s work on prevention, early detection and screening. Across Europe, 19 JACARDI pilot projects are testing different approaches to identifying people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and connecting them with appropriate support. Explore these JACARDI pilot interventions across Europe on our interactive pilot map.

JACARDI’s Short Guide to Screening stresses that identifying risk is only the beginning. Health checks make a meaningful difference when they are part of a complete pathway that includes follow-up, diagnosis, appropriate intervention and long-term support.

EU Screening Week provides an opportunity to make prevention and early action more visible across Europe and to encourage more people to know their numbers, understand their risks and seek appropriate professional advice.

Register an EU Screening Week activity by 20 September.