EU health information progress: the harvest of policy supporting projects and networks

Abstract

Background The European Commission supports the initiation of health information related projects and networks serving comparative population health monitoring and health system performance assessment. Many of these projects and networks have produced relevant data, standards, methods, indicators and knowledge that may be lost as these networks become inactive. The aim of this project retrieval and review was to identify health information projects and networks and their produced output; and subsequently facilitate systematic access to this information for policy makers, researchers and interested others via a web-based repository. Methods The scope of this article covers 1. population health oriented topics and 2. health system/health services oriented topics. Out of scope are specific infectious diseases; individual rare diseases; and the occurrence and effects of specific medical treatments, interventions and diagnostics; cohort studies; or studies focusing on research methods. We searched bibliographic databases and EU project databases for policy supporting projects and networks and selected those fulfilling our inclusion criteria after more in-depth inspection. We searched for their outputs. In addition, we reviewed country participation in these projects and networks. Results We identified 36 projects and networks, 16 of which are population health oriented, 6 are health systems and services oriented and 14 cover both. Their total volume of output is not easily retrievable, as many project websites have been discontinued. Some networks and/or their outputs have found continuance within European agencies and/or national institutions. Others are struggling or have gone lost, despite their policy relevance. Participation in the projects was not evenly distributed across Europe. Project information was made available through the Health Information Portal. Conclusions EU funded projects and networks have contributed greatly to the evidence-base for policy by providing comparative health information. However, more action is needed to evaluate and conserve their outputs and facilitate continued contribution to the field after project funding stops. The realization of a sustainable infrastructure for these projects and networks is urgent. The Health Information Portal can play an important role in conserving and reusing health information. Information inequalities may exist across Europe but need further investigating.

European Health Union: An emergent reality

“…6,20,21 A range of instruments were developed to operationalise funding through the EU Health Strategy and the EU objectives on HCS, namely: Health Programs (the main funding instrument of the EU Health Strategy); Structural Investment Funds [providing funding, mostly from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, for priority areas in the health sector (e.g., infrastructure and equipment, e-health, research, small-and medium-sized enterprises and health promotion activities)]; Research and Innovation framework programs (supporting research and innovation); as well as instruments such as data sharing on financial measures that work best for HCS' sustainability. 22 The European Semester, a core component of the Economic and Monetary Union, specifies processes of control, surveillance and coordination of budgetary, fiscal, economic and social policies and formulates Country-Specific Recommendations, covering anything that might affect the Stability and Growth Pact's compliance and macroeconomic imbalances, including the fiscal sustainability of HCS. 22 In association with the European Semester, a Structural Reform Support Programme and Service was established, to finance tailor-made support to MS's reforms in various areas, including HCS.…”

“…22 The European Semester, a core component of the Economic and Monetary Union, specifies processes of control, surveillance and coordination of budgetary, fiscal, economic and social policies and formulates Country-Specific Recommendations, covering anything that might affect the Stability and Growth Pact's compliance and macroeconomic imbalances, including the fiscal sustainability of HCS. 22 In association with the European Semester, a Structural Reform Support Programme and Service was established, to finance tailor-made support to MS's reforms in various areas, including HCS. In 2020, the Service became the Directorate General for Reform of the Commission.…”

“…In 2020, the Service became the Directorate General for Reform of the Commission. 22 Other sources of indirect funding for health in the EU include the Digital Europe Programme 2021-2023, the rescEU-EU emergency response and the Recovery and Resilient Facility, under the NextGenerationEU programme.…”

“…The Doctor's Directive (Council Directive 75/362/EEC) sets the basic educational standards that each MS must apply for its nationals to be recognized as meeting EU standards. 10,22 The Professional Qualification Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC) established the rules for temporary mobility and a system of recognition of qualifications for professions with harmonised minimum training conditions. 17 But it was not until 2012, that the Commission released an Action Plan for the EU Health Workforce to propose concrete actions to minimise workforce-related problems.…”

Monitoring Health Inequalities in 12 European Countries: Lessons Learned from the Joint Action Health Equity Europe

“…Why the preconditions for monitoring population health vary across countries is unclear. More research has been called for to learn more about the reasons, but also to explore the extent to which weaker systems translate into less effective policies [8]. This might be particularly relevant in relation to the monitoring of health inequalities.…”