EU launches first Screening Week to help detect heart and diabetes risks earlier

by European Society of Cardiology

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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At a press conference at the EASD Annual Meeting in Milan, organized by the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF), three leading European cardiometabolic scientific associations—the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)—joined European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi to welcome the launch of the first EU Screening Week.

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity are among Europe's most pressing health challenges. They often coexist, are deeply interconnected and place a growing burden on people, families, health care professionals and health care systems.

The scale of the challenge is clear: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and illness in the EU, accounting for one in three deaths—1.7 million in 2022—and affecting an estimated 62 million people. Diabetes affects 35.3 million people in the EU, while around one in six adults live with obesity. Diabetes and obesity are serious diseases in their own right and major risk factors for cardiovascular illness and death, alongside hypertension and high cholesterol.

Too often, these conditions are detected only after symptoms appear or complications develop. The first EU Screening Week is a timely opportunity to move from reacting to disease to acting earlier. Under the banner "Know Your Numbers," the campaign encourages people to check key health indicators—including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol—and take preventive action sooner.

The initiative reflects the ambition of the EU Safe Hearts Plan, which recognizes the links between cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity and promotes a more integrated, person-centered approach to cardiometabolic health.

It also supports the goals of the European Commission's proposal for an EU Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks, which encourages member states to strengthen health checks and identify diseases and risk factors earlier.

The three associations welcome the proposal and call on member states to build on this momentum by making prevention and early detection a stronger part of health care systems across Europe.

Várhelyi commented, "Prevention cannot wait. That is why we are launching the first EU Screening Week: to encourage people across Europe to know their numbers and take action for their health.

"By raising awareness and making screening more visible and accessible, we can help detect risk earlier and prevent serious cardiometabolic diseases before complications develop. Prevention starts with awareness—know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

"I invite all citizens to get checked, speak to a health care professional and take control of their health. The newly published EU Council Recommendation on health checks reinforces this message and encourages member states to introduce comprehensive health checks to support prevention and early detection across Europe."

Professor Cecilia Linde, president of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), stressed, "For too long, a person's chances of preventing cardiovascular disease have been influenced by factors beyond their control, including where they live, their gender or their socioeconomic circumstances. Screening is our chance to change that.

"By identifying risk early and connecting people with timely care, we can help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to live a longer, healthier life. This is not only an investment in the health of today's population; it is an investment in our children, our communities and the future of Europe."

Professor Francesco Giorgino, president of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), commented, "Too many people are still living with type 2 diabetes without knowing it, sometimes until complications have already developed. Screening can help us identify risk earlier and act sooner.

"Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and thus requires an effective prevention strategy. But prevention must also include people living with type 1 diabetes, who also face increased cardiovascular risk over time. Earlier action and better prevention can reduce complications and improve lives."

Professor Volkan Yumuk, president of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), said, "Obesity sits at the center of cardiometabolic health. It is a chronic disease in its own right and a major driver of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other serious complications. If Europe is serious about prevention, we must identify and address obesity earlier.

"This means moving beyond BMI alone and ensuring that evidence-based screening, diagnosis and management of obesity are integrated into health care systems. EU Screening Week is an important opportunity to put earlier, integrated and person-centered action into practice."

Professor Chantal Mathieu, president of the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF), noted, "This is a historic moment when cardiovascular disease, with its two most evil associated diseases, diabetes and obesity, takes center stage.

"The European Commission has clearly understood the momentum to present Europe with a plan to prevent, detect early and better manage all forms of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Supported by the Commission and guided by these three strong professional organizations, our member states must do one thing now: turn the plan into action! And start with screening during this European Screening Week."

The cardiovascular, diabetes and obesity communities welcome the screening, awareness-raising and educational activities taking place across EU member states during EU Screening Week. They also call on national governments to build on this momentum by making evidence-based health checks and early detection an essential part of health care systems.

The presidents of ESC, EASD and EASO encourage citizens across Europe to take part in the campaign: Visit a local screening initiative, speak to a health care professional and take the first step toward knowing your numbers. Understanding your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index and waist circumference is essential to protecting your health.

Early detection saves lives. It is time to make prevention visible, accessible and part of everyday health care across Europe.

Key medical concepts

Cardiovascular DiseasesHealth ScreeningDiabetesObesity

Clinical categories

Preventive medicineEndocrinologyCardiologyCommon illnesses & PreventionFamily medicineHealthy livingWeight managementHealthy aging Provided by European Society of Cardiology Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

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