Health surveillance indicators: what is available in European data sets for policy evaluation?

Abstract

Abstract Background Policy actions targeting diets and physical activity have been proposed as mechanisms for the prevention and control NCDs in Europe. While these actions have the potential to improve health at a population level, the impact of these policies in Europe is currently unknown. The aim of this study, as part of the wider Policy Evaluation Network, is to catalogue the data available for policy evaluation in Europe to inform the development of surveillance instruments. The catalogues will also provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to view the available EU indicators that can be employed to evaluate policies which influence diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Methods A suite of key indicators was agreed by over 30 EU experts and PEN members in a workshop in September 2019. Variables in existing EU monitoring systems were suggested by workshop participants as measures for each key indicator. The mapping process involved an evaluation of how suitable the suggested variables were as measures for the indicators. This was done using a Likert scale (matched, somewhat matched, less matched, not matched). Results Diet (n = 72) and physical activity and sedentary behaviour (n = 65) related indicators, across all levels of the socio-ecological model were selected for the mapping process. 72% of diet indicators and 86% of physical activity and sedentary behaviour indicators were matched to at least one variable in an existing EU monitoring system. The majority of indicator-measure pairs were categorised as 'matched' on the Likert scale. Conclusions While there are gaps in the measurement of policy level indicators in domains such as inequality, funding and resources and governance, the majority of key policy indicators were mapped to measures in existing systems.Therefore, much of the evidence for evaluation of policies is readily available in Europe. Key messages By mapping the key indicators to variables in existing pan-European monitoring and surveillance systems we aim to document the data currently available for policy evaluation. The catalogue of mapped indicators will provide a tool for key stakeholders to aid in the evaluation and development of policies influencing diets, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Europe.