France launches national roadmap to combat cardiovascular diseases

France has unveiled a national roadmap for 2026–2030 to combat cardio-neurovascular diseases, which represent the country’s second leading cause of death, accounting for approximately 140,000 deaths and 1.2 million hospitalizations annually. The strategy, supported by Deputy Yannick Neuder, focuses on five key pillars: public communication campaigns, re-evaluating cardiovascular treatments for the elderly, establishing early prevention pathways, strengthening blood pressure monitoring, and addressing health inequalities among women, precarious populations, and the elderly.

The initiative emphasizes the ‘Mon bilan prévention’ program, which offers free health check-ups to detect hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol early. The strategy also aims to improve living environments by addressing nutrition, physical activity, and air quality.

These measures come amid rising mortality trends in France. Data indicates a 1.0% increase in deaths in 2025, with the average age at death rising to 79.5 years. Recent health crises, including a severe flu epidemic in January 2025 and record-breaking heatwaves in the summer of 2026—which caused approximately 8,000 additional deaths—have highlighted structural weaknesses in the hospital system and the need for improved political anticipation and preventive measures.