Publication date: Jun 02, 2026
Between 2020 and 2025, Europe has faced multiple interacting public health threats shaped by and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside COVID-19, the region experienced other infectious disease events, including monkeypox, measles resurgence, legionellosis and acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children. At the same time, non-communicable disease burdens, including obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, disruption of chronic disease care, mental health disorders and increased problematic digital use, intensified during and after the pandemic period. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remained a major cross-cutting threat because it undermines the effective treatment of infections and weakens emergency preparedness. This narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed articles and selected reports from international organizations for the 2020-2025 period, using COVID-19 as the organizing context for examining interconnected infectious, chronic and system-level threats. Across these topics, recurring themes included vaccination gaps, fragmented surveillance, disruption of routine care, health system inequities, misinformation and insufficient preparedness for cross-border threats. The review supports integrated surveillance, continuity plans for essential services, stronger vaccination and risk-communication strategies and sustained AMR stewardship within a One Health framework. Coordinated action across public health, primary care, mental health and chronic disease policy is essential for future resilience.