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Report on health inequalities in the European Union

Vivian Vivian Benítez Hidalgo — last modified 11/09/2013 18:06
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The report begins with an overview of the size of, and trends in, health inequalities in the EU since 2000 with a focus on recent years. It goes on to describe the main actions that the Commission has taken to implement the communication on health inequalities since 2009. Further information, including the graphs and tables referred to, are in the annex. The report draws on work carried out under contract for the European Commission that will be published separately.

Report

11/09/2013

 

Today the unfolding effects of the financial crisis impact on not only the economic situation 
but also our capacity to protect people’s health and manage health systems. The 2013 Annual 
Growth Survey8
 recognises the need to improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of 
health systems while maintaining access to high-quality healthcare. In the context of 
achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for inclusive growth9
, the Commission’s 
communication on ‘Social investment for growth and cohesion’10 and the accompanying 
document on ‘Investing in health’11 highlight the need to invest in sustainable health systems 
which can improve cohesion and boost economic growth by reducing health inequalities, 
enabling people to remain active longer and in better health. 
Investing in people’s health helps improve the health of the population in general and 
improves employability, thus making active employment policies more effective, helping to 
secure adequate livelihoods and contributing to growth.

Today the unfolding effects of the financial crisis impact on not only the economic situation but also our capacity to protect people’s health and manage health systems. The 2013 Annual Growth Survey recognises the need to improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of health systems while maintaining access to high-quality healthcare. In the context of achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for inclusive growth, the Commission’s communication on ‘Social investment for growth and cohesion’ and the accompanying document on ‘Investing in health’ highlight the need to invest in sustainable health systems which can improve cohesion and boost economic growth by reducing health inequalities, enabling people to remain active longer and in better health. Investing in people’s health helps improve the health of the population in general and improves employability, thus making active employment policies more effective, helping to secure adequate livelihoods and contributing to growth.

 


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