On 15 January 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted an Expert Hearing on Life Sciences and Rare Diseases
The Expert Hearing brought together policymakers, scientists, and health stakeholders to discuss priorities for Europe’s evolving health strategies. The European Spas Association was honoured to contribute to this important exchange, represented by Dr. Siyka Katsarova and Csilla Mezoesi.
The discussion focused on the role of medical spas and climate health resorts within Europe’s future health policy. A clear message emerged: medical spas are not simply a matter of tradition or wellness tourism. They are evidence-based, physician-prescribed health infrastructures that play a meaningful role in prevention, rehabilitation, mental health support and improved quality of life — including for people living with chronic and rare diseases.
Recent advances in life sciences strongly reinforce this position. Research ranging from thermal water biochemistry to inflammation pathways and microbiome science confirms the solid scientific foundations of balneotherapy and climatotherapy. When combined with digital health tools and telemonitoring, these therapies are fully aligned with Europe’s health innovation ecosystem and modern models of integrated care.
Participants at the hearing highlighted the broader value of medical spas and climate health resorts as resource-efficient and low-impact health infrastructures. Closely linked to climate adaptation, they contribute to health resilience, healthy ageing and sustainable healthcare delivery — priorities that are increasingly central to European policy debates.
The exchange was marked by strong support from experts and representatives of several EU Member States, including Romania, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Hungary and Bulgaria. These contributions underlined the clinical value, scientific credibility and sustainability impact of Europe’s natural health resources, and called for their greater recognition within EU life sciences and health strategies.
There was broad agreement that the integration of life sciences, digital health and nature-based therapies is not a distant ambition. It is already taking place across Europe’s medical spas and climate health resorts, demonstrating how traditional natural assets can be successfully embedded in contemporary health systems.
The European Spas Association warmly thanks the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as all participating experts and Member State representatives, for an open, constructive and forward-looking discussion. The shared support expressed during the hearing sends a strong signal: Europe’s natural health ecosystem is a strategic asset for public health, innovation and sustainability, and an opportunity that should be fully embraced within the European Life Sciences Strategy.
