Abstract
BackgroundThe 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsEU 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.
Highlights
The European Commission supports the initiation of health information related projects and networks serving comparative population health monitoring and health system performance assessment
A goal of the current work was to provide users of health information with a repository of European Union (EU) subsidized comparative health information projects and networks that contribute to policy support
Selection of projects and networks: sources, strings, limits and in/exclusion criteria The focus of our inventory is on those projects and networks,funded by the European Commission (EC), that contribute to policy support by strengthening 1) population health monitoring and 2) health system performance assessment by improving and/or providing internationally comparative data that are not produced as routine statistics, datasets and surveys by the international organisations such as Eurostat, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Organisation for Economic Collaboration and Development (OECD)
Summary
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. A solid base of European comparative health data and indicators is essential for European Union (EU) Member States’ (MS) ability to conduct comparative analyses, benchmark against other countries or international targets, monitor progress, and develop and evaluate evidence-informed policies. The importance of attaining a solid health information base was first addressed by the European Commission (EC) in 1997 through its initiative for a Health Monitoring Programme (HMP, 1997–2002) [1] This programme intended to pave the way for permanent EU health monitoring and (co) funded projects that collected data, harmonized data collections, developed health indicators, and produced articles and reports that supported the evidence and information base for national and international health policy making. Another support mechanism is that of Cost Action, where the focus is on connecting researchers in specific domains
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