The European Health Union and the protection of public health in the European Union: Is the European Union prepared for future cross-border health threats?

Abstract

The Covid 19 pandemic has cast traditional health protection issues in a new light due to their cross-border significance with far-reaching consequences for almost all areas of social life and places health protection in the European Union in a broader context that goes beyond the national consideration of necessary measures at EU Member State level. The pandemic has made it clear that the responsibility for public health remains in principle with the EU Member States and that the competences of the European Union under Article 168 TFEU are – with a few exceptions – generally limited to supporting, coordinating and assisting tasks.