Health equity remains one of Europe’s most pressing challenges. Differences in access to care, diagnosis, and treatment continue to shape health outcomes across the region. Gender is emerging as a particularly critical dimension, as women in Europe face worse outcomes in cardiovascular diseases — from higher mortality after heart attacks to longer delays in receiving treatment. In fact, data from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC Atlas of Cardiology) reveal that 40% of women in the EU die from cardiovascular diseases.
This urgent reality is at the heart of the discussions during the 3rd General Assembly of the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), held in Madrid from October 14 to 16, hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Official Medical Association of Madrid. The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) is represented by its Nursing Research Group, which will take the opportunity to present the progress made in the pilot programs implemented in Cantabria.
The Assembly brings together over 200 representatives from 21 European countries, including the European Commission, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, scientific societies, and patient organizations. This year’s program places gender and equity at the center of the agenda, alongside sustainability, data monitoring, and the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.
JACARDI is a European Union Joint Action under the EU4Health Program, running from 2023 to 2027. With 81 partner institutions in 21 countries, it coordinates European efforts to strengthen health literacy, improve early detection, promote integrated, person-centered care, empower patient self-management, and support workplace participation for people living with non-communicable diseases.
With equal access to prevention and care at the forefront, participants reflect on the progress made during the first two years of JACARDI, highlighting lessons learned and barriers addressed while improving care pathways in diverse settings across European health systems.
“At the heart of JACARDI is the belief that health systems must serve everyone fairly and equally. That’s why equity and diversity are not side issues in JACARDI — they are central to everything we do. This General Assembly in Madrid is an opportunity to show that together we can accelerate change toward a fairer and healthier future,” said Dr. Benedetta Armocida, JACARDI Coordinator.
“Women are more likely to die from a heart attack, yet they remain underrepresented in clinical trials — leaving critical knowledge gaps that perpetuate unequal care. Recognizing gender differences in cardiovascular diseases is not about division; it’s about improving care to meet everyone’s unique needs,” said Dr. Héctor Bueno, Co-leader of JACARDI’s Work Package on Data Availability and Quality and Head of the Multidisciplinary Translational Cardiovascular Research Group at the National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC).
In focus: The EU Cardiovascular Health Plan
The meeting takes place at a key moment as the European Commission prepares the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. By connecting JACARDI’s insights and pilot experiences with this policy momentum, the Assembly aims to strengthen motivation, collaboration, and collective capacity to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases across Europe.
To this end, a dedicated roundtable will focus on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, featuring representatives from DG SANTE (European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), and scientific societies such as the European Society of Cardiology, the European Heart Network, the European Diabetes Forum, and the International Diabetes Federation.
The program also features contributions from the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the JA PreventNCD initiative on monitoring systems and reducing health inequalities, as well as pilot experiences from Portugal, Spain, Iceland, Romania, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and Poland, showcasing early results from JACARDI’s 143 pilot projects.
The agenda further explores sustainability and evidence translation into policy, ensuring that JACARDI’s pilot actions contribute to long-term change. On October 15 and 16, dedicated sessions will focus on key areas such as health literacy, integrated care pathways, data accessibility, and patient self-management. These workshops are designed to foster in-depth discussions and practical insights to improve health outcomes across Europe.
About JACARDI
JACARDI, a European Union Joint Action, is a collaborative initiative addressing the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Through coordinated efforts among EU Member States, the program focuses on evidence-based strategies and best practices to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases effectively.
JACARDI is implementing 143 pilot projects to test evidence-based practices for preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, involving 81 partner institutions across 21 European countries.
