28.K. Workshop: Advancing health inequality monitoring in Europe – challenges, opportunities and actions

Abstract

Abstract Much of the focus on health inequality monitoring is based on aggregate descriptions at national levels where averages or proportions are compared. However, inequalities evolve from systematic differences in living conditions, circumstances, and opportunities between population groups within geographical entities. To be able to follow such trends in health, to detect less favourable trends at an early stage, and to reveal the trends in the population and in subgroups of the population, it is essential to have a national health inequality monitoring system (HIMS) in place. In fact, in line with the “no data, no problem” notion, one might even claim that the most essential part of combatting social inequalities in health is a well-functioning health inequality monitoring system. The Joint Action Health Equity Europe (JAHEE) is a Joint Action financed by the Third Health Programme 2014-2020 of the European Union. It represents an important opportunity for countries to work jointly to address health inequalities and achieve greater equity in health outcomes across all groups in society in all participating countries and in Europe at large. One of the aims with JAHEE and the specific focus of work package five (WP5) is to advance member states ability to monitor national health inequalities. The overall objective of the work conducted in JAHEE WP5 is to attract attention to and improve countries' capacity to monitor health disparities in a “do something, do more, do better” manner. The advancement of HIMS varies greatly between countries in Europe. Yet, there is scope for improvement in virtually all countries. In addition, challenges that impede the way health inequality monitoring can be conducted are often common across countries. These challenges cannot be eliminated within the course of a three-year EU project. The JAHEE project, however, offers an unique opportunity to move forward by working together in a structured work process that allow partner countries to share, build and transform available knowledge into concrete actions aimed at strengthening national health inequality monitoring systems in Europe. In this workshop, we will present the experiences from JAHEE WP5 and give examples on concrete actions and initiatives taken across Europe to challenge some of the barriers faced and to strengthen the national health inequality monitoring processes in Europe. There will be room for discussion between each presentation and in the end of the workshop. Key messages Raised awareness a politically committed system infrastructure to assure sustainability in health inequality monitoring. Raised awareness of need for agreed data but also agreed methods to compile data to measure inequalities within populations.