"Health in the European Union - Trends and analysis"

Chronic diseases

Cancer rates are generally on the increase in the EU. While men are generally more touched by cancer, with lung cancer the number one killer, national and regional differences exist too.

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the EU. In high income countries, diabetes type II accounts for 90% of all diabetes.

Respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and pneumonia account for the second leading cause of death in the EU. Men are also generally more touched by these diseases than women.

Mental health

The general mental health of the European population is deteriorating among both women and men. Up-to-date figures on mental health and well-being are however missing. The report highlights the need for statistics.

Communicable diseases

A group of three communicable diseases remain an important burden in the European Union. Tuberculosis, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are indeed widespread across the EU and especially present in the Baltic States. The report analyses the characteristics and evolution of such diseases.

Injuries and accidents

With domestic and road traffic accidents, injuries represent the fourth cause of death in the EU and the number one preventable death. Domestic accidents represent twice the rate of road traffic accidents.

Preventable risk factors

The report highlights tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet (including lack of physical activity) and illicit drugs as the most preventable risk factors. While tobacco and alcohol are well-established causes of ill-health and death, overweight and obesity are an increasing phenomenon which today concerns over 50% of the adult EU population as well as 10% of children and adolescents. Diet-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes type II follow the same trend.

Socio-economic inequalities in health and healthcare

Beyond the existing differences between EU Member States, there are often gaps within a country itself. The socioeconomic status of a population, as well as its geographic situation in terms of health infrastructure proximity are often the cause of health inequality. The last part of the report analyses these inequalities.

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies is a partnership between the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation, the governments of Belgium, Finland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Veneto Region (Italy), the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the London School of Economics and Political Science and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

For further information:

"Health in the European - Trends and analysis" Report

EPHA related articles:

 Report on women’s health in the European Union
 European Nutrition and Health Report 2009