Preventing hospitalisations in Europe – An event series
A joint initiative by EHMA and Sanofi
Project Status: CONCLUDED (May 2026 – October 2026)
What aims and scope
Respiratory infections remain a significant cause of avoidable hospitalisation across Europe, placing pressure on patients, hospitals and health systems. To address this challenge, EHMA and Sanofi have jointly convened a three-part invitation-only policy event series. Bringing together health system leaders, policymakers, clinicians, public health experts, patient representatives and academics, the series explored how avoidable hospitalisation associated with respiratory infections can be reduced through prevention, early intervention and effective health system design. Through a progression from evidence to implementation and policy action, the initiative aimed to identify practical solutions and translate them into actionable recommendations for decision-makers across Europe.
How it became possible
The initiative was a series of three expert roundtables, each building on the previous discussion to move from shared evidence to practical implementation and policy recommendations.
The first event examined lessons from the most recent winter season, capturing experiences from frontline professionals, patient representatives and public health experts. Building on these insights, the second event focused on implementation, exploring interventions and approaches that have successfully reduced avoidable hospitalisation in practice. The final event brought together policymakers and system leaders to discuss how these lessons can be translated into effective policy action.
The series adopted a collaborative and evidence-informed approach, convening stakeholders from across the health ecosystem, including healthcare providers, public authorities, patient organisations, researchers and industry representatives. Discussions were synthesised into event reports and policy outputs, ensuring that insights generated throughout the series contribute to broader European discussions on prevention, healthy ageing and health system resilience.
Where EHMA delivers
EHMA served as co-convenor and knowledge partner for the initiative. Through our network of health managers, policymakers, researchers and healthcare organisations across Europe, we helped ensure that discussions are grounded in health system realities and that the outputs generated by the series contribute to policy and management practice. The initiative also created opportunities for EHMA members and partners to contribute their expertise to European discussions and increase the visibility of innovative practice from across our network.
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This event series is supported by Sanofi.
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View MoreWhat our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof Sandra C. Buttigieg, MD, University of Malta, Malta
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Antoni Peris-Grao, MD, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain
