Because health falls outside the EU’s formal competences, the influence of EU policymakers becomes the driving force behind shaping health outcomes across member states. That’s why mapping the key health policy leaders is not just about identifying leverage, it’s about recognising the individuals and institutions who are already helping advance health through a European lens.
The HPL initiative is designed to shine a spotlight on the MEPs who are truly shaping health policy across the EU. By recognising their legislative achievements, leadership in committees, policy impact, visibility, and the respect they command among peers, we aim to celebrate the influence and dedication of those driving meaningful change. This acknowledgment not only honours their past contributions but also encourages continued leadership and inspires others to follow their example.
The HPL index presents the most influential political policymakers in health at European level (& national level in 2024). To build it, RPP’s health policy experts employed the Delphi method to identify policymakers who have had the most significant impact on health policies in the last years. This structured communication technique uses a panel of experts from RPP Group and is widely recognised for its reliability in forecasting.
