The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the EU’s approach to tackling public health issues, using asthma as a case example. In so doing, the study will show how, despite its relatively narrow legal base for actions in the field of public health, the EU can – and already does – exert substantial influence on health issues via EU policy measures in related fields such as environment, health research, and the European-wide regulation of medicinal products through the EMEA. The report will critically examine these initiatives and present proposals on how the EU’s current activities could be streamlined and improved so as to better complement and support Member States activities on asthma and make a stronger ‘European’ contribution towards improving the management and regulation of this public health issue across the EU.