REGISTER: FEAM ANNUAL LECTURE

Last chance to secure your seat!  Join us at the FEAM Annual Lecture 2025 

Palais des Académies, Brussels  on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 | 09:30 CET 

Don’t miss this high-level discussion on how AI is transforming healthcare —        from precision imaging to data governance — while tackling the challenges        of cybersecurity and ethical oversight under the European Health Data Space      (EHDS). 

🎟️ More than 50 participants already. Seats are limited — register now! 

One Health Day: Building a Healthier Future Through Connection 

Each year on 3 November, the world marks One Health Day — a moment to recognise something simple yet profound: the health of people, animals, and the planet are inseparable. From zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance to climate change and food safety, the challenges we face today can no longer be solved in silos. Collaboration is no longer a choice — it’s a necessity. 

For the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM), this principle lies at the heart of much of its work. Over the past years, FEAM has been driving the One Health agenda forward through science-based collaboration, policy engagement, and education. 

Under the leadership of Prof. André Jestin, the FEAM One Health Committee continues to connect experts from across Europe to bridge the gap between human, animal, and environmental health. The Committee’s work feeds directly into European policy discussions, helping shape more integrated and forward-looking health strategies. 

FEAM also contributed to the SAPEA Expert Review Report on One Health, providing solid evidence to support EU policymakers in building prevention and preparedness strategies grounded in scientific collaboration. 

Education and knowledge-sharing remain essential pillars of this effort. The free FEAM MOOC “One Health: Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response” offers learners practical insights into how interconnected systems can better prevent crises before they emerge. 

FEAM’s recent initiatives — from the FEAM/IAP Conference on One Health (2022) to Prof. Jestin’s presentation at the Belgian Academy of Veterinary Medicine Forum 2025 — further underline FEAM’s leadership in ensuring that prevention, vaccination, and preparedness are seen through a One Health lens. 

As global health threats continue to grow in complexity, the One Health approach provides not only a framework for action but also a reminder of shared responsibility. On this One Health Day, FEAM reaffirms its commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines and borders — because protecting one kind of health means protecting them all. 

Symposium Reveals Ongoing Challenges and Patient Impact on Long Covid

A recent symposium organized by the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Medical Society has shed new light on the persistent  challenges of Long COVID. Medical experts from multiple specialties shared findings showing that approximately 50% of COVID-19 survivors continue to experience symptoms months after infection, with fatigue, cognitive impairment, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction being most prevalent. 

The data revealed significant disparities in how different populations are affected. Women were found to be 3-5 times more likely to develop anxiety and depression following COVID-19, while older patients showed substantially reduced mobility and increased pain levels. The symposium  identified several potential mechanisms behind Long COVID, including  persistent inflammation, coagulation abnormalities, and autonomic nervous system disruption. 

A major focus was the ongoing difficulty in diagnosis and treatment, complicated by the lack of standardized definitions and definitive biomarkers. Experts emphasized that symptoms often overlap with other conditions like chronic fatigue syndronme and POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), making accurate identification challenging.  

The consensus highlighted the urgent need for multidisciplinary approaches that combine clinical expertise with âtient-centered care. The symposium called for enhanced medical education and continued researchto address this significant ongoing public health challenge. 

Indoor Air Quality: The Invisible Health Factor in Your Home 

We spend approximately 80% of our lives indoors, yet most of us rarely consider the quality of the air we breathe in our own homes and workplaces. The truth is, indoor environments can harbor multiple pollutants that significantly impact our health and wellbeing. 

Recent findings from the Indoor Environment Quality Observatory reveal a mixed picture. While regulations have successfully reduced certain pollutants like volatile organic compounds and fine particles over the past two decades, concerning levels of formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, and radon still persist in many households. These invisible threats come from everyday sources - cleaning products, building materials, combustion processes, and even outdoor pollution that seeps inside. 

The health implications are particularly serious for vulnerable groups. Children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma face heightened risks from prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality. Symptoms can range from immediate effects like headaches and irritation to long-term respiratory and cardiovascular issues. 

The French National Academy of Pharmacy emphasizes that solutions exist. They recommend three key approaches: ensuring proper ventilation systems, conducting regular air quality assessments, and educating the public about reducing exposure through smarter product choices and household habits. 

FEAM joins discussions on vaccine confidence and immunisation investment 

FEAM was represented by its Secretary General, Professor George Griffin, at the recent meeting of the Mission Board on Vaccination in Europe (MBVE), held on 30 October. 

The discussions focused on two central themes: vaccine confidence and investment in immunisation. The first session, introduced by Robb Butler (WHO Europe) and Dr Emilie Karafillakis (Vaccine Confidence Project, University of Antwerp), explored the growing challenges to vaccine confidence and the potential spillover effects from trends observed in the United States. Members exchanged views on how European institutions can strengthen public trust and coordinate responses to misinformation. 

The second part of the meeting reviewed developments in the EU’s New Economic Governance Framework, the European Semester, and the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). The MBVE Secretariat presented the outcomes of recent advocacy efforts, including letters to national ministries and engagement with the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament. The discussions underscored the need to secure sustained investment in prevention and immunisation within EU and national policy priorities. 

FEAM continues to support this agenda, advocating for the recognition of immunisation as a cornerstone of public health resilience and sustainable healthcare systems in Europe. 

 FEAM calls for action to tackle medication waste in Europe

FEAM has published a Call to Action on Medication Waste, urging policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to reduce the growing burden of unused medicines across Europe.

Developed under the FEAM MEDIWASTE Project – Tackling Medical Waste for a Healthier Europe, this initiative brings together experts from FEAM’s Member Academies and partners from across the healthcare and industry sectors. The project addresses the environmental, economic, and ethical dimensions of medication waste and provides practical recommendations for a more sustainable pharmaceutical lifecycle.

As part of this work, FEAM has already engaged in a series of policy discussions with European decision-makers, including MEP de la Pisa Carrion, Ms. Dabbelt, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Mr. Van Den Steen, Head of Unit C3 State of Health at DG SANTE, and Ms. Moura Gonçalves, SANT Policy Advisor for The Left Group.

Read the full Call to Action and learn more about FEAM’s ongoing activities under the MEDIWASTE project here.

Recent Activities and Insights - Spotlight on Members

Updates on FEAM's Activities

FEAM is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of its Working Group on GDPR, which will examine the implications of data protection and governance for health research and cross-border data sharing in Europe.

Following approval by the Council, a Call for Nominations will soon be issued for a new Working Group on Xenotransplantation, aiming to explore ethical, regulatory, and scientific aspects of this emerging field.

In parallel, FEAM continues its collaboration with EASAC on a joint paper on AI in Healthcare, currently under development. The Working Group will convene again in early December to advance the draft and outline key recommendations for European policy and research frameworks.

SAPEA Update 

As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, SAPEA/ALLEA organised a SAPEA workshop, which is part of a broader series of events designed to share knowledge and good practices between Europe’s academies. The event was held on 4 November, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, and the topic of it was 'Upholding Integrity in Scientific Advice: Key Principles and Challenges'. 

Working on scientific evidence for the future EU Advanced Materials Act, SAPEA is preparing scientific evidence for the forthcoming Advanced Materials Act - at the request of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. There’s a call for evidence and public consultation open until 13 January 2026.  

The SAPEA is steering the SAMs first guidance for internal use of AI tools, we are in the final stages of delivering a guidance document.  

How can we use Artificial Intelligence responsibly in science advice to policy? 

This was the central queston explored during the SAPEA Internal Workshop on AI, held this week in Brussels, where members of the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission gathered for an in-depth discussion on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI tools into evidence-based policymaking. 

From reproducibility and bias to efficiency and expert oversight, the exchanges reflected both excitement and caution about what AI means for the future of scientific advice. As one participant put it: “AI can help us work faster — but never replace the expertise that makes science advice trustworthy.” 

The discussions underscored a few guiding principles for responsible use: 
➡️ Begin with evidence and expert judgment, not with AI. 
➡️ Use AI as a reviewing tool, not an author. 
➡️ Keep scientific integrity and transparency at the core of every output. 

The workshop was followed by in-person SAPEA Board meeting, offering a valuable opportunity to connect, share perspectives, and plan the next steps together — all while reaffirming our shared mission to deliver high-quality, independent science advice for Europe. 

A productive and inspiring day in Brussels —and another step toward  and another step toward shaping how AI will support, not replace, human expertise in policy advice. 

Advancing science for better health policy in Europe