Comparing health data across the EU: is it possible?

A recent study by the International Longevity Centre-France addresses the issue of data collection, by evaluating the methodology and the indicators used in 24 national or European helth surveys.

Data collection at European level is based on national measurements, so it is important to assess the comparability of national indicators that are used in different countries.

The study claims that there is a need to harmonise information on health at European level. The study shows that at the moment there are only five indicators that can be considered comparable across the EU:

 Perceived state of health;
 Declared disease;
 Anthropometrical measures;
 Restriction of daily activities caused by an illness;
 Daily consumption of tobacco.

Two current EU funded projects, the SHARE (Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and the European Health Survey System), are developing this harmonisation at the moment.

For more information:

 The French study is available on the IRDES website (in French) (Institut de Recherche et Documentation en économie de la santé - Institute of Research and Documentation in health economics)

 Related EPHA article on health indicators