European Region (EUR)

Edited by Helena Legido-Quigley, Dimitra Panteli, Josip Car, Martin McKee and Reinhard Busse

2013, xxviii + 229 pages

ISBN 978 92 890 0021 5

CHF 60.00

In developing countries: CHF 42.00

Order no. 13400135

Chronic noncommunicable diseases make up a large part of the burden of disease and make a huge call on health systems’ resources. Clinical guidelines are one of the ways European countries have tried to respond and to ensure a long-term perspective in managing them and addressing their determinants. This book explores those guidelines and whether they actually affect processes of care and patients’ health outcomes. It analyses:

• the regulatory basis, the actors involved and processes used in developing clinical guidelines across Europe;
• innovative methods for cost-effective prevention of common risk factors, developing coordinated patient-centred care and stimulating integrated research;
• the strategies used to disseminate and implement clinical guidelines in various contexts; and
• the effectiveness of their utilization.

This study reviews for the first time the various national practices relating to clinical guidelines in 29 European countries (the European Union (EU), Norway and Switzerland). It shows that, while some have made impressive progress, many are still relying on sporadic and unclear processes. The level of sophistication, quality and transparency of guideline development varies substantially across the region, even when the system for producing guidelines is well established. There are nevertheless clear examples that – if shared – can assure and improve quality of care across Europe.

This study was commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers. It also benefited from links with the ECAB/EUCBCC FP7- research project on EU Cross Border Care Collaboration (2010–2013).

While population health indicators have improved across Europe overall, that improvement has not been experienced equally everywhere, or by all.

This policy brief on tobacco is one of a series that describe practical actions to address health inequities in relation to one of the priority public health challenges facing Europe, the others being alcohol, obesity and injury. Completing the series is a guide on how to take a comprehensive approach to addressing inequities in health.

It offers policy-makers and public health professionals the tools and guidance to implement the Health 2020 vision – the new health policy framework for Europe developed by WHO/Europe - and the recommendations of the review of social determinants of health and the health divide led by Sir Michael Marmot and his team. This policy brief provides a framework that policy-makers at national, regional and local levels can apply to their own unique context, to help them consider the processes by which inequities occur and suggest policy interventions to address them.

While population health indicators have improved across Europe overall, that improvement has not been experienced equally everywhere, or by all.

This policy brief on alcohol-related harm is one of a series that describe practical actions to address health inequities in relation to one of the priority public health challenges facing Europe. Completing the series is a guide on how to take a comprehensive approach to addressing inequities in health.

It offers policy-makers and public health professionals the tools and guidance to implement the Health 2020 vision – the new health policy framework for Europe developed by WHO/Europe - and the recommendations of the review of social determinants of health and the health divide led by Sir Michael Marmot and his team. This policy brief provides a framework that policy-makers at national, regional and local levels can apply to their own unique context, to help them consider the processes by which inequities occur and suggest policy interventions to address them.

The European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) has today launched a manual designed specifically for parliamentarians willing to work on legislation and initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in their countries. The manual is released on the 131st anniversary of the birth of Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou, inventor of the ground-breaking Pap smear test.

The manual contains advice on practical steps parliamentarians can take in advocating for legislation and policies which will improve cervical cancer detection. It also includes an overview of the different models of screening programme as well as two case studies, on Ireland and Georgia. “We hope that this manual will help members of parliament in the region to initiate, or intensify, work on advocating for and enacting effective cervical cancer prevention legislation and policies, thus contributing to long-term changes in the region’s public health landscape”, commented EPF Secretary, Neil Datta, at the launch of the publication.

Every year, some 32,000 women die of cervical cancer in Europe and Central Asia.  Central and Eastern Europe is particularly affected: women in the Eastern part of the region are ten times more likely to die of cervical cancer than those in Western Europe.  Cervical cancer is a deadly disease. But unlike other cancers, most cases – some 80 per cent - can be prevented by putting in place the right policies and programmes.

Stepping up prevention has far-reaching benefits, in particular for young people. The cervical cancer epidemic has a “young face”: it affects mostly young women, many of whom are in the process of starting families and building their careers. In many places, cancer treatment is extremely costly, leading to the impoverishment of entire families.

Members of parliament are uniquely positioned to influence the shape and content of their countries’ public health agendas.  They can lead the development of relevant legislation and policies, and monitor implementation; ensure oversight, accountability, transparency and good governance; make the voice of affected citizens heard; and define the fiscal and budgetary regimes needed to mobilise sufficient resources.

The manual can be downloaded from the EPF website here.

Since the World Health Organisation first published its National Cancer Control Programmes: Policies and Managerial Guidelines in 2002, the role of these plans in national cancer policy has grown tremendously, particularly in Europe. Whereas only three Member States of the European Union had implemented a National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in 2002, virtually all EU countries have taken decisive steps in this direction, in part thanks to the leadership EU-led initiatives such as the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC).

At their core, NCCPs aim to improve cancer control through better planning and coordination of the range of cancer services offered through the national health system, from prevention and health promotion to rehabilitation and palliative care services. This complex task requires action at all levels of the health system and beyond

The European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020 was endorsed by all 53 Member States in the WHO European Region in September 2011. It includes a range of evidence-based policy options to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. This publication also includes WHO Regional Committee for Europe resolution EUR/RC61/R4, a list of indicators (with definitions) linked to the indicators used in the European Information System on Alcohol and Health, and a checklist or set of questions for Member States. The action plan is closely linked to the 10 action areas of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2010.

The primary audience for the action plan is the national authorities in the WHO European Region responsible for alcohol policy, mainly the health and other ministries (including finance, education, social welfare, transportation and criminal justice), nongovernmental and civil-society organizations, researchers, the private sector and international partners.