First public health emergency preparedness assessments across Europe show both commitment and recurring challenges

The aim of the PHEPAs is to assess the prevention, preparedness and response planning capacities of countries across the EU/EEA region in dealing with health threats and crises. Following individual country assessments, ECDC provides recommendations for countries to strengthen their capacities. The assessments cover various aspects of public health preparedness, including surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, health emergency management, risk communication and coordination mechanisms.

The completion this month of the first PHEPAs cycle, which began in 2024, marks the first time these assessments have been carried out, in close cooperation with the European Commission, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and other partners.

Across the first cycle, countries demonstrated a strong commitment to emergency preparedness. Many countries made a great effort to strengthening preparedness following the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing governance structures and improving laboratory and surveillance capacities. Overall, core capacities such as laboratory systems, surveillance and health emergency management are strong across the EU/EEA.

At the same time, the assessments identified recurring challenges requiring attention. These include prevention, preparedness and response plans that are not always implemented, a lack of staff, limitations in data sharing and systems that are able to work together, and shortcomings in translating data into policy decisions.

ECDC’s recommendations include strengthening advanced cross-sector planning, formalising coordination across sectors and routinely testing preparedness through exercises.

The completion of the first PHEPA cycle now also marks the start of the next phase, in which findings and recommendations are transformed into practical steps for improvement. The PHEPA findings will inform targeted country support to assist countries in implementing recommendations. The findings will also shape the second PHEPA cycle, planned for 2027–2029. This next cycle will place greater emphasis on national action plans and on progress made in implementing recommendations from the first round of assessments.

ECDC conducts Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessments (PHEPAs) in all EU/EEA countries every three years, with the support of key EU Commission services (the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety - DG SANTE and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority - DG HERA), other EU agencies, bodies and relevant stakeholders.

PHEPAs are part of a three-year reporting and assessment cycle for prevention, preparedness and response planning across the EU/EEA.