Vienna – United European Gastroenterology (UEG), representing over 50,000 digestive health professionals, has formally called on European Union institutions to prioritize funding for digestive diseases within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. The organization is also seeking dedicated investment through FP10, the EU’s forthcoming Framework Programme for Research, and Innovation.
The appeal, made public on February 24, 2026, highlights the significant impact of digestive diseases on European populations and economies. According to UEG, approximately 332 million Europeans are affected by these conditions, which contribute to substantial mortality, disability, and economic losses. Despite this, funding for digestive health remains comparatively low.
A UEG White Book 2 report indicates that digestive diseases currently cost EU economies around €25 billion annually in inpatient care, representing approximately 0.12% of the EU’s gross domestic product. Indirect productivity losses are estimated at €89 billion per year. UEG argues that even modest reductions in premature mortality related to digestive diseases could yield significant economic savings.
“Digestive health is a critical societal and economic priority, and not an isolated medical problem,” stated Joost PH Drenth, President of UEG. “Its scale and ballooning costs warrant explicit prioritisation in the next EU long-term budget. Targeted investment through FP10 and the post-2027 EU4Health program is pivotal to drive prevention, strengthen health system resilience, and translate research into real-world health outcomes.”
UEG specifically requests that EU policymakers make digestive diseases a priority within FP10, with dedicated funding calls focused on prevention, digestive cancers, liver and immune-mediated diseases, microbiome-nutrition-metabolic research, and implementation science. The organization also proposes the launch of a Digestive Health Research & Innovation Flagship program under FP10 to coordinate cross-border research efforts and accelerate the translation of findings into practical applications.
Further recommendations include the development of a robust EU digestive health data infrastructure, aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation, encompassing federated registries and real-world evidence platforms. UEG also emphasized the importance of protecting public-interest research and academic clinical trials to foster sustained collaboration.
Alexander Hann, Chair of UEG’s Public Affairs Group, stated that decisions made in 2026 will significantly shape Europe’s health and research landscape for the next decade. He characterized investment in digestive health as a cost-effective strategy for improving patient outcomes and bolstering EU competitiveness.
The European Commission proposed a nearly EUR 2 trillion budget for the 2028-2034 MFF on July 16, 2025, representing 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income on average. Whether digestive health will be explicitly prioritized within this framework remains to be seen, with ongoing discussions expected among EU institutions.
