The European Commission’s Communication “Review of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” (2021 – 2024) assesses its progress in tackling cancer through prevention, early detection, treatment, and post-cancer care.
A key pillar of the plan is promoting healthier lifestyles, particularly through physical activity, to help reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases and cancer. Recognising the role of sport and physical activity for a healthy population, the EU collaborates with WHO Europe to implement the Council Recommendation on promoting health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) to combat inactivity, obesity, and related health risks.
Other examples of key initiatives include HealthyLifestyles4All (2021-2023), which linked sport, health, and food policies, gathering 103 pledges from 21 Member States. Additionally, ongoing school-based programmes such as Rock Your Health (RYHEALTH), which promotes healthy behaviors among students, and Schools4Health, which integrates physical activity and mental health into education, further support health-related efforts.