The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published additional information on biosimilar medicines, as part of their ongoing work to improve understanding of biosimilars across the EU. A biosimilar is a biological medicine that is highly similar in all essential aspects to a ‘reference’ biological medicine already authorised. The new material includes an animated video for patients […]
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The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) have developed 21 patient-centred standards to guide clinicians and public health workers to ensure optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB). The second edition of the European Union Standards for Tuberculosis Care (ESTC) is now available. It has been updated to
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Based in Brussels, the European Heart Network (EHN) is an alliance of member organisations including heart foundations and other non-governmental heart health organisations committed to the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe. To read its annual report for 2017, go to: European Heart Network
European Heart Network Read More »
ECIS provides the latest information on indicators that quantify the cancer burden across Europe. It permits the exploration of geographical patterns and temporal trends of incidence, mortality and survival data across Europe for the major cancer entities. The purpose of the web-application is to support research as well as public-health decision-making in the field of
European Cancer Information System Read More »
Emergency risk communication (ERC) is a vital public health intervention. It can save lives during emergency situations and, as such, should be considered an investment in people’s health, safety and security. A new package is available to guide countries of the Region in establishing systems and plans for effective ERC tailored to their specific contexts.
Communicating risks more effectively Read More »
Over 41,000 children and adults in the WHO European Region have been infected with measles in the first 6 months of 2018. The total number for this period far exceeds the 12-month totals reported for every other year this decade. So far, the highest annual total for measles cases between 2010 and 2017 was 23,927
Measles at record high in Europe Read More »
Pharmaceutical spending accounts for approximately 20{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96} of total health spending in OECD countries when taking into account medicines dispensed in both outpatient and inpatient settings of care. Recent developments in the pharmaceutical market and spending raise concerns for the future: Spending has become increasingly skewed toward high-cost “specialty medicines” which now account for between 30{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96}
Pharmaceutical spending Read More »
The capacity of health systems to deliver health services and meet the changing demands of care strongly depends on the availability of a workforce with the right skills and flexibility. Health systems that support high levels of initial education and training, as well as consistent investment in continuous professional development, are better equipped to develop
Nearly 6{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96} of all deaths worldwide were attributable to alcohol in 2012, with more than half caused by non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, liver disease and mental health disorders. In the EU alone in 2014, 72,000 deaths due to alcohol-related diseases could have been avoided and globally it is estimated that 5.1{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96} of
Alcohol ‘best buys’ by the WHO Read More »
Today, more than one in two adults and nearly one in six children are overweight or obese in the OECD area. The obesity epidemic has spread further in the past five years, although at a slower pace than before. Despite this, new projections show a continuing increase of obesity in all studied countries. Social disparities
Obesity Update – OECD Read More »
