The European Union (EU) and the US have jointly launched the EU-US Health Task Force to cooperate on cancer, global health threats, and bolstering the global health architecture.
The EU-US Health Task Force, launched by EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra in Brussels, is expected to grow the EU-US partnership in the area of health.
According to the EU, the task force has already set up two working groups, which will focus on childhood/young adult cancer and lung cancer as per Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the US Cancer Moonshot.
The collaboration is intended to facilitate peer learning, exchange each other’s practices, and support the development of potential joint initiatives to enhance cancer outcomes internationally.
The EU said that the EU-US Health Task Force has a goal to establish a new structured dialogue on cancer, addressing cancer policies as well as collaborations in research.
This will be achieved by identifying common ground between the US Cancer Moonshot programme and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the EU Cancer Mission, and the US National Cancer Plan.
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Xavier Becerra said: “We are committed to making sure that all people can access the health care they need. We know that our health at home is connected to the health of people everywhere.
“This Task Force will build on our existing work together and allow us to take on new challenges, including cancer and other global health issues.”
Additionally, the discussion between the two governing bodies focused on current and potential health threats like Marburg disease, avian influenza, and antimicrobial resistance.
The European Union and the US also agreed to set up durable global mechanisms for accessing medical countermeasures in health emergencies to prepare, prevent, and respond to a pandemic.
EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “With today’s launch of the first EU-US Health Task Force, we are reaffirming our mutual commitment to an ever-closer transatlantic partnership in the area of health and delivering on an important priority of the EU Global Health Strategy.”
