Health

EU Must Simplify Rules to Boost Healthcare Innovation, Commissioner Says

Published

5 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Europe must simplify its healthcare regulations to strengthen competitiveness, support innovation and ensure patients gain faster access to treatment, European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Euronews Health Summit in Brussels, Várhelyi described healthcare as one of the most pressing challenges facing both Europe and the wider region. He pointed to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, shortages of healthcare workers and an ageing population as key factors putting pressure on the system.

Várhelyi said Europe’s healthcare model remains distinct and should be preserved, calling it a core strength that provides reliability for societies across the continent. At the same time, he warned that the system is under strain and cannot be taken for granted in the future without reforms.

In response to these challenges, the European Union has introduced a series of measures aimed at improving resilience and crisis response in the health sector. Várhelyi said these reforms also carry significant economic potential, with the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries playing a major role in Europe’s competitiveness.

A key development has been the overhaul of pharmaceutical rules agreed in December 2025, driven by medicine shortages and vulnerabilities in supply chains. Várhelyi said the sector accounts for about five percent of manufacturing value added and nearly 11 percent of EU exports, underlining its importance to the economy.

The updated framework is intended to modernise regulations and better support the development of advanced treatments, particularly for patients with unmet medical needs. According to Várhelyi, the reforms aim to make the regulatory system more adaptable and responsive to innovation.

Alongside this, the EU has introduced the Biotech Act, designed to make it easier for new products to move from research laboratories to large-scale production and market distribution. The Commissioner said the legislation, along with updates to medical device regulations, places simplification at its core.

He argued that existing rules often create unnecessary costs, delays and uncertainty for companies, which can slow the delivery of new treatments to patients. By streamlining procedures and improving enforcement, the EU aims to create an environment where innovation can develop more rapidly.

Várhelyi said these efforts are essential to maintaining Europe’s position in the global healthcare and technology landscape. He added that simplifying regulations would help ensure that new ideas are translated into effective treatments more quickly, benefiting both the industry and patients across the region.

Health

Experts to Debate AI’s Role in Europe’s Healthcare Future at Brussels Summit

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

Web Reporter

Experts in technology, medicine and public policy will gather in Brussels on 17 March to discuss how artificial intelligence could reshape healthcare while avoiding risks related to inequality, data protection and regulation.

The discussion will take place during the Euronews Health Summit, where specialists are expected to examine the growing role of digital technologies in European health systems.

Artificial intelligence is already being used in several countries across Europe to support healthcare services. In Finland, AI systems are helping train healthcare professionals, while Estonia is applying the technology to analyse medical data. Hospitals in Spain are also using AI tools to assist in disease detection.

Supporters of the technology say it has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, accelerate drug discovery and reduce administrative burdens faced by doctors and nurses. Many hospitals are already adopting AI-powered tools that automatically record and summarise medical consultations, allowing physicians to spend less time on paperwork and more time interacting with patients.

Health leaders say the technology should support professionals rather than replace them. Hans Kluge said artificial intelligence is already being used by millions of healthcare workers and patients in the region. However, he warned that the benefits will only be fully realised if governments establish strong strategies, safeguards and education programs.

Kluge cautioned that without clear legal frameworks, protections for sensitive data and investment in digital literacy, AI could widen existing health inequalities instead of reducing them.

The issue is becoming increasingly important as healthcare systems face growing pressure from ageing populations and a shortage of medical professionals. Some countries are turning to technology partnerships to help address these challenges.

In January 2026, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI announced a $50 million initiative to expand AI-powered healthcare capabilities in African countries. The project will begin in Rwanda with the aim of supporting around 1,000 primary healthcare clinics by 2028.

Despite the potential benefits, experts warn that the rapid expansion of AI also brings significant risks. Studies have shown that some AI language models may provide inaccurate medical guidance or fail to recognise the urgency of serious health conditions. Researchers have also raised concerns about how sensitive biological and patient data is stored and accessed.

According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, only about 8 percent of its member states have adopted a national strategy specifically addressing the use of AI in healthcare.

The summit in Brussels is expected to focus on key questions about the future of digital health. Participants will discuss how algorithms should be regulated, who controls the data used to train AI systems and how policymakers can ensure the technology benefits all patients rather than only those with greater access to resources.

As governments and technology companies continue to invest in AI, experts say decisions made now will shape how healthcare systems evolve in the coming decades.

Health

Survey Finds Most Women in UK Unaware of Menopause’s Mental Health Risks

Published

2 days ago

March 15, 2026

Web Reporter

A new survey has found that most women in the United Kingdom are unaware that menopause can significantly affect mental health, raising concerns among medical experts about gaps in awareness, diagnosis and treatment.

The survey, carried out by YouGov and commissioned by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, revealed that only 28 percent of women knew menopause could trigger mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Experts say the lack of knowledge means many women do not seek or receive the support they may need during this stage of life. Menopause is experienced by nearly all women and marks the end of reproductive years. According to the World Health Organization, it usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.

Before menopause begins, many women go through a transitional phase known as perimenopause. This stage can start in the early 40s or even earlier, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate. Changes in oestrogen and progesterone during this time can cause physical symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep problems, while also affecting mood and emotional well-being.

Studies across Europe show the mental health impact of menopause is widespread. Research indicates that about 55 percent of women report psychological symptoms including mood swings, anxiety or depression during menopause. In Sweden, a national health report published in 2021 found that around 60 percent of women experience moderate or severe menopausal symptoms. In Germany, about one in three women going through menopause reports depressive symptoms.

Additional research suggests perimenopause can increase the risk of first-time major depression by around 30 percent. A 2026 clinical study conducted by Liverpool John Moores University and the Newson Clinic found that about one in six women experience suicidal thoughts during perimenopause or menopause, many of which are not identified during routine health assessments.

Professor Pooja Saini, who specialises in suicide and self-harm prevention, said many clinical assessments fail to consider hormonal changes that may influence mental health. She warned that these gaps can leave some women without appropriate care.

Personal experiences also highlight the challenges many face. Sonja Rincón said she experienced severe symptoms in her mid-thirties that were initially diagnosed as depression. After years of treatment with antidepressants, she later realised the symptoms were linked to perimenopause and sought hormone replacement therapy.

Her experience reflects a broader pattern. A 2025 international workplace study by Astellas Pharma found that nearly one in 12 women reported experiencing discrimination at work related to menopause, while many said the symptoms affected productivity and career progression.

Medical experts say improving education about menopause is essential. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has called on governments and health systems to include menopause and mental health in medical training and to introduce workplace policies that support women experiencing symptoms.

Advocates argue that greater awareness among both healthcare professionals and the public could help women receive earlier diagnosis, appropriate treatment and stronger support during a significant stage of life.

Health

Study finds thinking about certain alcoholic drinks can influence mood and mindset

Published

5 days ago

March 12, 2026

Web Reporter

A new academic study suggests that simply thinking about different types of alcoholic drinks can influence a person’s mood and mindset, even when no alcohol is consumed.

The research, published in the journal Young Consumers, found that specific beverages tend to trigger distinct cultural associations in people’s minds. The findings indicate that drinks such as tequila, whiskey and wine are strongly linked to particular attitudes and emotional responses.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Logan Pant, an assistant professor of marketing at University of Evansville in the United States.

Pant said the project aimed to understand how people mentally associate different alcoholic beverages with social themes and personality traits.

“We conducted two preliminary studies to understand how people think about different types of alcohol,” Pant told Associated Press. “In the first study, participants answered open-ended questions, and in the second they completed a word-association task.”

In total, the research involved four experiments with 429 participants. The early stages of the project helped researchers identify what they described as “learned associations,” or ideas that people develop through cultural exposure and personal experience.

Participants were asked to think about a randomly assigned drink and then rate how strongly they felt certain personality traits or emotional qualities. Importantly, the participants did not consume alcohol during the experiments, allowing researchers to examine psychological associations without the physical effects of drinking.

The study grouped responses into three main mindsets. The “party mindset” included terms such as energetic, outgoing, fun and celebratory. The “masculinity mindset” was linked with words such as strong, confident and tough. The “sophisticated mindset” included qualities like elegant, classy, refined and formal.

Researchers found clear patterns in the results. Tequila was most frequently connected with celebration, excitement and social gatherings. Whiskey tended to be associated with masculinity, strength and confidence. Wine, on the other hand, was linked to sophistication, elegance and refinement.

Pant said the results suggest alcoholic drinks can act as symbolic cues that trigger particular psychological responses.

“These findings show that alcohol can function as a symbolic cue,” he said, noting that the attitudes people associate with certain drinks appear to come from cultural learning rather than intoxication.

Public health experts say the findings are important because they highlight how social expectations and cultural messages can shape attitudes toward alcohol, especially among younger generations.

Although many people consume alcohol for social or recreational reasons, excessive drinking can lead to health problems including Alcohol use disorder and an increased risk of several cancers.

Previous research has already shown that alcohol consumption can affect behaviour, making people more uninhibited or more likely to take risks. The new study focuses instead on how cultural cues linked to alcohol may influence thoughts and expectations before any drinking occurs.

Researchers say understanding these psychological associations could help inform public health campaigns aimed at promoting moderation and responsible drinking. Such efforts often encourage people to pace their drinks, stay hydrated and avoid excessive consumption.

Pant said future research could explore how these associations vary across cultures, age groups and social environments, and whether targeted interventions could help shift perceptions around alcohol toward safer behaviours.