AGP Executive Report

Parental Leave: A cross-country study puts Slovenia at 35 weeks of paid parental leave at full-pay equivalent for fathers, behind South Korea and Estonia. Nicotine Rules: Slovenia joined seven EU countries urging tighter controls on nicotine products, including a ban on new products and broad flavor restrictions, with countries able to ban nicotine pouches. Drug-Resistant Infections: Slovenia and Kenya are expanding research and hospital links to explore bacteriophages—viruses that target bacteria—as a possible tool against antimicrobial resistance.

Nicotine Policy: Slovenia joined seven EU countries urging stricter rules on nicotine products, including a ban on new products, broad flavor restrictions and the option for countries to prohibit nicotine pouches. Drug-Resistant Infections: Slovenia and Kenya are expanding research and clinical cooperation on bacteriophages—viruses that target bacteria—as a possible response to antimicrobial resistance. Parental Leave: A cross-country study puts Slovenia at 35 weeks of parental leave equivalent to full pay for fathers, among the longer provisions measured.

Affordability Watch (EU): Eurostat data show Cyprus has the lowest share of people unable to afford key meals in the EU (1.2% in 2025), but rising living costs in 2026 are still squeezing household budgets. Antimicrobial Resistance (Slovenia–Kenya): Slovenia and Kenya are stepping up cooperation against drug-resistant infections, exploring bacteriophages and focusing on clinical, regulatory, ethical, and patient-safety needs. Infectious Disease Alert (Russia): Authorities report no plague cases among contacts after a Siberian lab worker died from pneumonia; ECDC says there’s no sign of sustained person-to-person spread. Public Health Access (Cyprus): Cyprus also ranks near the top for mammography access, while screening remains a challenge in parts of the EU. Workplace Health & Family Policy (Study): A global comparison finds South Korea offers the highest-value statutory paid paternity leave; Slovenia ranks mid-pack at 35 weeks. Health Equity & Rights (EU funding): European NGOs warn that ending EU funding for the European Network Against Racism could weaken equality and civic space efforts across Europe.

Antimicrobial Resistance Push: Slovenia and Kenya are teaming up to tackle drug-resistant infections, with researchers exploring bacteriophages and discussing clinical, regulatory and patient-safety needs at the Africa Bacteriophage Summit in Nairobi. Infectious Disease Watch: Russia says it has found no plague in contacts of a lab worker who died after pneumonia in Siberia, while the ECDC reports no signs of sustained human-to-human spread. Public Health Access: A study comparing countries’ mammography screening access ranks Cyprus near the top and highlights gaps that can affect early cancer detection. Workplace & Family Health: South Korea tops the world for statutory paid paternity leave, and Slovenia is listed among countries offering substantial paid time—an angle that links family policy to wellbeing. Health System Goals: UNGA81 discussions keep spotlighting universal health coverage and resilient, fair health systems. Local Health Context: Slovenia’s role in international health and research cooperation continues to grow, including through EU and global partnerships aimed at stronger healthcare capacity.

Healthcare Policy & Reform (Slovenia–EU): Slovenia’s government says the newly approved Development of Slovenia Act and next-year budget aim to boost investment, raise per-capita municipal funding, speed up EU-fund absorption, and cut the deficit below 3% of GDP—framing it as support for competitiveness amid high energy costs and a shortage of skilled workers. Cancer Care Access (EU comparison): New Eurostat figures show mammography unit availability varies widely across the EU; Slovenia is reported at 77% screening participation (women 50–69), while Denmark, Sweden and Finland lead, and Cyprus sits near the bottom—highlighting a gap between capacity and uptake. Health System Cooperation (Armenia–Croatia–Slovenia): Croatia is sharing healthcare expertise with Armenia through an EU-funded Twinning project (implemented jointly with Slovenia), focused on universal health insurance, prevention, digital health, financing, and workforce planning. Nutrition & Supplements Industry (Slovenia): SuanNutra plans to expand in Slovenia and globally after acquiring IFF Health Sciences’ natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals portfolio, positioning the company around science-backed functional ingredients. Public Health & Environment (Slovenia): A new study on European rivers reports that only Slovenia is improving fast enough to meet 2030 water-quality targets, linking progress to reduced pollution pressures on health-relevant water systems.

Breast Cancer Care Access: Cyprus reports 6.9 mammography units per 100,000 residents (near the top in the EU), but screening participation stays low at 29.2% for women aged 50–69—Slovenia is listed at 77% participation, highlighting the gap between service availability and use. Healthcare Reform Cooperation: Croatia is sharing expertise with Armenia on universal health insurance, including legislation, financing, digital systems and staffing, under an EU-funded Twinning project implemented jointly by Croatia and Slovenia. Public Health Systems & Pandemic Readiness: UNGA81 discussions stress that universal health coverage and health security go together, with calls to strengthen primary care, build local capacity, and improve trust and equity in access during health emergencies. Nutrition & Wellness Industry: SuanNutra plans to expand in Slovenia and globally after acquiring IFF Health Sciences’ natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals portfolio, aiming to grow science-backed botanical extracts and micronutrients. Climate & Health Risks: A new study warns European hop yields and alpha-acid levels may drop further by 2050 due to drought and heat, with knock-on effects for beer production (and local agricultural livelihoods).

Universal Health Coverage & Health Security: UNGA81 discussions put UHC and resilient health systems front and center, stressing primary care, community trust, and fair access to tools during health emergencies. Healthcare Reform (EU support): Croatia is sharing expertise with Armenia on universal health insurance, including digital health and financing, through an EU-funded Twinning project implemented with Slovenia. Breast Cancer Screening Access: Cyprus leads on mammography unit availability, but screening participation remains low across the EU; Slovenia’s participation is reported at 77% in the latest comparison. Local Health System Capacity: A new EU-funded Twinning project in Armenia aims to strengthen universal health insurance rollout, with partners including Croatia and Slovenia. Nutrition & Wellness Industry: SuanNutra plans to expand in Slovenia and globally after acquiring IFF Health Sciences’ natural ingredients, vitamins, and minerals portfolio. Public Health & Environment: A study finds European rivers are improving but not fast enough for 2030 targets; only Slovenia is improving at the needed pace.

Slovenia Health Funding & Access: Slovenia’s revised budget draft boosts healthcare funding (including plans to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and support rare-disease care) while also adding money for education and social security. Universal Health Insurance Reform (EU-linked): Croatia and Slovenia are supporting Armenia’s move toward universal health insurance through an EU-funded Twinning project, with work on financing, digital systems, legislation, and human resources. Breast Cancer Screening Gap: Cyprus has high mammography unit availability, but screening participation remains low across the EU; Slovenia’s screening rate is reported at 77% (context: 50–69 age group). Child Health Rights: The UN Child Rights Committee issued findings for Slovenia and other countries, highlighting concerns and recommendations tied to children’s rights. UHC & Pandemic Preparedness: A UNGA81 agenda item stresses that universal health coverage and health security reinforce each other, with calls to strengthen resilient health systems and community trust. Nutrition & Local Industry: SuanNutra plans to expand in Slovenia and globally after acquiring IFF Health Sciences’ natural ingredients, vitamins, and minerals portfolio. Environment & Health: A study says Europe’s rivers are improving, but only Slovenia is cleaning up fast enough to meet 2030 water targets—relevant for long-term public health.

Healthcare Policy & Funding: Slovenia’s draft revised budget earmarks extra money for healthcare, aiming to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and fund internships and specialisation, with added attention to children with rare diseases. Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Croatia and Slovenia are supporting Armenia’s universal health insurance reform through an EU-funded Twinning project, focusing on financing, digital systems, and health workforce capacity. Cancer Care Access: Cyprus has high availability of mammography units, but screening participation remains low across the EU; Slovenia’s participation is reported at 77% (context: women 50–69). Public Health & Prevention: A UN push at UNGA81 highlights that UHC and pandemic preparedness go together, stressing resilient health systems, community engagement, and fair access to tools. Environment & Health: A study finds Europe’s rivers are improving, but not fast enough for 2030 targets—only Slovenia is improving at the needed pace. Wellness & Nutrition Industry: SuanNutra plans to expand after acquiring IFF’s natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals portfolio, including science-backed botanicals. Health Tech & Logistics: Drone “aerial takeaway” in Shenzhen shows how low-altitude delivery is scaling fast—more a tech trend than a health one, but relevant to everyday wellness routines.

Healthcare Reform & Cooperation: Croatia is supporting Armenia’s universal health insurance reform through a €1.5m EU-funded Twinning project, with work on legislation, financing, digital systems and staffing, alongside Slovenia. Cancer Screening Access: Cyprus has high mammography unit availability (6.9 per 100,000) but low screening participation (29.2% of women 50–69), while Slovenia’s participation is reported at 77%. Health System Funding in Slovenia: Slovenia’s revised budget draft earmarks extra money for healthcare, aiming to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and fund internships/specialisation, including a planned public fund for advanced treatment of rare diseases. Childhood Obesity: A new WHO Europe snapshot shows about one in four children aged 7–9 are overweight, with experts warning of long-term risks like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Public Health & Environment: A study finds only Slovenia improving fast enough to meet 2030 river water targets, while elsewhere progress is too slow. Universal Health Coverage & Pandemic Prep: UN discussions stress that UHC and health security reinforce each other, with calls for stronger primary care and community engagement.

Breast Cancer Screening Access: Cyprus leads on mammography unit availability (6.9 per 100,000 in 2024) but still has low screening participation (29.2% of women 50–69), a reminder that equipment alone doesn’t guarantee prevention. Healthcare Reform in the Region: Croatia is supporting Armenia’s universal health insurance reform through an EU-funded Twinning project (with Slovenia), focusing on financing, legislation, digital systems and workforce. Slovenia Budget for Health: Slovenia’s revised draft budget earmarks extra money for healthcare, aiming to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and fund rare-disease treatment via a new public fund. Childhood Obesity: A Europe-wide WHO Europe survey highlights that about one in four children aged 7–9 are overweight, pushing the debate beyond “eat less, move more” toward broader causes and school/health system action. Older Persons’ Rights: Slovenia marks International Day of Older Persons with renewed focus on longevity, dignity, and adapting social and health systems for ageing populations. Medication Packaging in Slovenia: Bayer rolls out a mono-material recyclable blister for its antacid Talcid across Europe, including Slovenia, as part of sustainability efforts.

Healthcare Funding in Slovenia: Slovenia’s draft revised budget sets aside an extra €470m for healthcare, education and social security, including €70.7m more for healthcare to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and support internships and specialisation—plus attention to children with rare diseases via a proposed public fund for advanced treatment. Childhood Obesity: A new EU-funded research push argues childhood obesity can’t be solved by “eat less, move more” alone, pointing to biological, environmental, behavioural and genetic drivers and the need for better cross-country data and school/healthcare action. Older Persons’ Rights: Slovenia marks the International Day of Older Persons with a focus on longevity and adapting social systems, while also highlighting loneliness and poverty risks for older people and ongoing work toward stronger international standards on older people’s rights. Universal Health Insurance (Armenia, with Slovenia involved): An EU-backed twinning project launched to support Armenia’s universal health insurance reform, with cooperation including Slovenia, aiming to improve healthcare financing and access so families aren’t forced into hardship by illness. Medical Access & Travel Care: Australia publishes its list of countries with reciprocal health care agreements, including Slovenia, clarifying eligibility for medically necessary emergency treatment while still requiring travellers to have their own insurance. Public Health & Policy Watch: The EU Commission issues infringement decisions across policy areas, while the UN Child Rights Committee releases findings that include Slovenia, alongside other countries, on how child rights are protected.

Slovenia Health Funding & Rare Diseases: Slovenia’s revised budget draft sets aside extra money for healthcare, aiming to cut waiting times, strengthen the workforce, and expand support for children with rare diseases, including a new public fund for advanced treatment. Childhood Obesity Beyond “Eat Less, Move More”: EU-backed research highlights how childhood obesity is driven by biology, environment, behavior and genetics, and warns that focusing only on diet and exercise misses the bigger picture. Older People’s Right to Health Care: A UN Human Rights Council side event in Geneva—co-sponsored by Slovenia—focused on barriers older people face in accessing care, long-term support and dignity. Universal Health Insurance Reform (Armenia): An EU-funded twinning project launched to help Armenia implement universal health insurance, with Slovenia and Croatia among key partners. Euthanasia Case (Netherlands): Dutch authorities confirmed the euthanasia of a 1-year-old with severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy, the youngest such case since child euthanasia was allowed. Gambling Harm Prevention (Cyprus): Cyprus’ safer gambling conference puts player protection and illegal betting enforcement—using tech and research—at the center. Tobacco Smuggling (Western Balkans): New reporting traces illicit cigarette flows from Montenegro and Bosnia toward Slovenia, linking the trade to organized criminal networks and major revenue losses. Healthcare Access Abroad (Australia): Australia published which countries—including Slovenia—have reciprocal health care agreements for medically necessary treatment during visits. Medication Packaging Sustainability (Bayer): Bayer launched a mono-material recyclable blister for its antacid Talcid in Germany, expanding to more European markets including Slovenia.

EU Health Systems Support: A €1.5 million EU-funded twinning project, led with Croatia and Slovenia, will help Armenia strengthen healthcare governance and universal health insurance implementation. Childhood Obesity Research: An EU-funded team says childhood obesity is now “epidemic” across Europe, with about 1 in 4 children aged 7–9 overweight, urging schools and healthcare professionals to tackle causes beyond “eat less, move more.” Older People’s Right to Health Care: Vietnam hosted a UN Human Rights Council discussion on older adults’ access to healthcare, co-sponsored by Slovenia, highlighting barriers to services, vaccination, and long-term support. Slovenia in Global Health Access: Australia published its reciprocal health care agreement list for Medicare access while visiting, including Slovenia, for medically necessary emergency care. Health Policy & Safety Tech: A safer gambling conference in Cyprus will focus on player protection, illegal betting, and tech approaches to reduce gambling harm. Medical Innovation Update: Santhera Pharmaceuticals reported progress for AGAMREE® (DMD), citing expanded access in Europe and beyond. Public Health Integrity: Reports also spotlight the risks of fake vaccination certificates, with Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka linked to a pandemic certificate investigation.

Older Adults’ Health Access: Vietnam hosted a UN Human Rights Council side event on older people’s right to health care, stressing equal access to services, vaccination, and long-term support as populations age. Cancer & Active Aging: An 83-year-old rower returned to competition after prostate cancer and knee replacements, showing how treatment and rehab can support lifelong sport. Sports Medicine & Recovery: Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar won’t race the European Championships after a Vuelta crash; team and federation say health comes first following collarbone and neck injuries. Health Travel Rights: Australia published a list of 11 countries, including Slovenia, whose citizens can access Medicare for medically necessary emergency care while visiting—still requiring travel insurance. Public Health Policy & Industry: Santhera reported progress on AGAMREE® access and EU pricing/reimbursement, highlighting how approvals translate into real-world availability. Illicit Tobacco Flows: New reporting links cigarette smuggling routes through Montenegro and Bosnia toward Slovenia and the EU, with major revenue losses and organized criminal networks.

Illicit Tobacco Trade: A new report links contraband cigarettes to a Western Balkans route—often moving from Montenegro through Bosnia and Croatia toward Slovenia and the EU—highlighting how organized criminal networks exploit ports and logistics, with Bosnia and Montenegro still losing major excise revenue to smuggling. DMD Drug Update: Santhera Pharmaceuticals reported strong momentum for AGAMREE® in the first half of 2026, including pricing and reimbursement wins in Spain and Italy and expanded access via partners, as it prepares for continued growth. Road Safety & Tech: The European Transport Safety Council urged EU states to reject Tesla’s Full Self-Driving speed-offset feature, arguing it can allow travel above detected limits, while regulators in several countries—including Slovenia—have already cleared supervised use. Health Access for Travelers: Australia published the 11 countries covered by reciprocal health care agreements for medically necessary care during visits, including Slovenia, but stressed that travel insurance is still required. Public Hospital Expansion: Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Hospital will begin services in phases from October 5, with specialist outpatient and oncology services first, as Queen Elizabeth Hospital functions transfer gradually. Sports & Health Angle: Slovenia’s connection to major sports continues, from travel and recovery stories to injury concerns in international football, while a separate wellness-themed piece reminds readers not to “compensate” for summer with extreme dieting.