11 December 2025

The EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, expected to be launched by the European Commission on 16 December 2025, could be a major step forward in tackling the common risk factors behind the two leading causes of death in the European Union: cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

Cardiovascular diseases – like heart attacks and stroke – and many forms of cancer share overlapping roots. Tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy diets are just some of the factors that significantly increase the risk of developing either health condition. The alarming rise in unhealthy diets, particularly the consumption of highly processed foods high in fat, sugar and salts, has played a major role in the growing number of people receiving such a diagnosis.  

Together, cardiovascular disease and cancer account for the majority of premature deaths in Europe. While Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan has already laid strong foundations for reducing people’s exposure to cancer-causing risk factors, the new Cardiovascular Health Plan can echo and reinforce these efforts – especially if it includes targeted measures like EU-wide rules on food marketing and taxes on highly processed foods in order to combat the rise of diseases linked to unhealthy diets. 

Today, 35 national and regional cancer societies, united under the Association of European Cancer Leagues, have written to the European Commission urging policymakers to resist industry pressure and ensure the upcoming Plan is ambitious and fully aligned with Europe’s ongoing efforts to prevent cancer. 

Read the letter.