By 2050, 37 percent of the European population will be over 60 years old, presenting major new healthcare demands – and serious economic challenges as well.

The European Steering Group on Sustainable Healthcare, chaired by former Irish health minister Mary Harney, brings together politicians, health care practitioners and academics to address the issue.

“The status quo in healthcare is no longer an option. If we want to continue with health service in Europe that’s of high quality – universally acceptable to everybody on the same basis without care to be rationed – then we have to transform in a radical way the way (that) we provide services, how we intervene with patients at an earlier stage and how we empower citizens to take more control and manage their own health.”

The steering group has also already developed around 30 pilot projects in 21 countries.

After more than a year gathering data, the steering group presented a White Paper outlining its recommendations at a conference