OECD has launched two more reviews of health care quality – one on Italy and one on Japan. The Italian review shows that the indicators of health system outcomes, quality and efficiency are generally impressive but with profound regional differences. A striking feature of the Japanese health system is its openness and flexibility, with clinics […]
Reviews of Health Care Quality: Raising Standards Read More »
Although most people know that being physically active improves health dramatically, levels of physical activity are far too low. This leads to an increased risk of a range of conditions and diseases, such as overweight and obesity, ischaemic heart disease, strokes, diabetes and some types of cancer, notably breast and colon cancer. The World Health Organisation
Multisectoral action to promote physical activity in Switzerland Read More »
A special supplement of the European Journal of Public Health celebrates the culmination of five years of work on the European Collaboration for Health Optimization (ECHO) project. The overall aim of the project has been to build a common knowledge infrastructure, which will ultimately allow for international healthcare performance comparisons. The supplement puts together a
European Collaboration for Health Optimisation (ECHO) Read More »
The EU’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) has published the final Opinion on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This Opinion addresses the potential health effects of mobile phones, WiFi and the magnetic fields originating from power lines and electrical appliances in the home. It states that: Current
Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields Read More »
Over 22,000 cases of measles have been reported in Europe since the start of 2014, so although measles cases have fallen by 50{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96} since 2013, large outbreaks still occur. Over the past two decades, the number of measles cases in Europe has fallen by 96{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96} but WHO is warning that the region is jeopardising its efforts
Europe needs to scale up measles vaccinations Read More »
Although life expectancy in member states has increased by more than five years on average since 1990, inequalities in health and access to quality care still persist in Europe. This report, jointly produced by the EU and the OECD, shows that there is a gap of about eight years in life expectancy between countries with
Health at a Glance: Europe 2014 Read More »
Violence against women is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality in society and a serious violation of fundamental human rights. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common type of such violence and can lead to death, physical injury, functional impairment, mental health problems, negative health behaviour, chronic conditions and reproductive health problems. Institutional discrimination,
The role of the health sector in preventing intimate partner violence Read More »
This report identifies and maps technology-based services which have successfully enhanced the independent living of older adults at home in and outside Europe. It identifies 14 services that effectively address issues such as improving the productivity of carers, enabling better quality care and generating savings, contributing to the financial sustainability of long-term care systems. To
Technology for older people living at home Read More »
According to a new WHO report, 16 million people die before the age of 70 from heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer and diabetes. The report, “Global status report on non-communicable diseases 2014” urges governments to act to meet global targets and reduce the NCD epidemic. An investment of just US$ 1-3 per person per
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prematurely take 16 million lives a year Read More »
Four out of every five people with diabetes live in the developing world according to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF). Clínicas del Azúcar is a Mexican chain of diabetes one-stop-shops that reduce the cost of care by 70{ddf8d179d1bf712bb2a88ff2ad95ebdf63eaa5463c845d2f093b25848387ba96}. For more information (in Spanish), go to www.clinicasdelazucar.com
