Health at EFA26
Building on the strong momentum and success of the Health programme at EFA25, health at EFA26 once again brings together partners from across the healthcare landscape to explore how Europe can build more resilient, innovative and equitable health systems.
Shaping Europe’s Health Future: Access, Innovation, Resilience
Following the interdisciplinary approach established at EFA25, the programme connects health with the broader societal issues at the heart of the four EFA Tracks — Climate, Democracy & the Rule of Law, Finance & Economy, and Security — fostering cross-sector dialogue and encouraging integrated, future-oriented solutions.
At Alpbach, key stakeholders from healthcare will engage with decision-makers from politics, science, business and technology to exchange ideas, challenge established perspectives and co-create actionable strategies for the future of health in Europe. Developed in collaboration with partners from different sectors and guided by the substantive expertise of Sebastian Mörth, the programme creates a space for innovation, reflection and collaboration to address the pressing challenges of our time.
The programme will focus on three interconnected thematic areas that reflect some of the most urgent opportunities and challenges facing European healthcare systems today.
The Three Interconnected Thematic Areas
Resilience & Sovereignty of European Health Systems
A first focus lies on addressing questions around resilient supply chains, strategic autonomy and Europe’s role in an increasingly competitive global health landscape. Discussions will explore how Europe can strengthen preparedness, reduce critical dependencies and build sustainable health infrastructures for the future.
Access & Health Equity
A second thematic pillar centres on access to healthcare, which continues to vary significantly between regions and population groups across Europe. The programme will examine regional disparities, digital access and equitable healthcare provision, with a particular focus on how innovation and digitalisation can contribute to more inclusive and patient-centred systems.
Innovation & System Transformation
The third focus area looks at the structural changes needed to ensure future-ready healthcare systems. Topics will include financing models, the diffusion of innovation and broader structural reforms that enable healthcare systems to adapt to demographic, technological and societal change.
With strong interdisciplinary perspectives and collaboration across sectors, health at EFA26 builds on the foundations laid at EFA25 and continues the conversation on shaping Europe’s health future — resilient, accessible and innovative.
The list of sessions, partners, and supporters is continuously updated.
Sessions
Health Equity as a Strategic Advantage for Europe
Solidarity-based healthcare systems are a key European achievement, reflecting shared values such as equity, solidarity, and sustainability. Workforce shortages, rising costs, and technological change require evolution. The network session focusses on strengthening health equity as a strategic advantage for Europe in light of digitalization and economic pressure.
Supported by Future Health Lab.
2 September | 12:00–14:00 | This event is a closed network session. If you are interested in joining write a mail to Franz Tschida.
Europe’s Role in the Future of Pharmaceutical Innovation
In the face of current geopolitical developments and recent global upheavals, Europe is under pressure to reassert its position in access to pharmaceutical innovation. The United States is calling clearly for Europe to make an adequate – and therefore greater – contribution. The panel discussion examines this demand from multiple angles: industry, policy and patient advocacy will all have their say, bringing together voices from the US, Europe and Austria.
Supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The Politics of the Plate: Global Health and Food Security
Industrial food systems drive climate harm and public health risks – yet remain politically entrenched. This session examines how subsidies, regulation, and governance failures sustain a system under strain, and asks who holds the power to reform it before its costs become irreversible.
Hosted by Club Alpbach Iraq with FAN Health Initiative, IG Armenia, CA Belgium Brussels, CA London, CA Switzerland, CA Trentino.
2 September | 14:00–15:00 | CCA-Liechtenstein-Saal
When Children Take on the Role of Carers: The Unseen Role of Young Caregivers
They do the shopping, cook, take their relatives to the doctor, help their siblings, look after them and care for them – all whilst still going to school themselves. Due to their relatives’ chronic illnesses, ‘young carers’ often shoulder heavy responsibilities within their families that go unnoticed. This discussion sheds light on the realities of their lives and offers insights into a growing social alliance dedicated to supporting them – because young carers need all of us to help them shoulder these responsibilities whilst still being able to be children.
Supported by ERSTE Foundation.
The Future of Care with Online Pharmacies
Care faces enormous challenges – workforce shortages, an aging society, and growing demand for services. Online pharmacies can make a decisive contribution: ensuring safe medication supply for those in need of care, relieving caregivers, and improving healthcare connectivity. The discussion will center around how online pharmacies can strengthen the care sector and the healthcare system, and enable patient-centred care.
Supported by Redcare Pharmacy.
2 September | 19:00–20:30 | This event is a closed network session. If you are interested in joining write a mail.