Health indicators are sets of data (tables, graphs, maps) on health status, determinants and care in EU member countries. They allow for monitoring and comparison, and serve as a basis for policymaking.
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Indicators
European Community health indicators (ECHI)
Types of health indicator
Out of a complete list of 88 health indicators, there are over 40 core European Community health indicators for which data is readily available and reasonably comparable. They are grouped under the following headings. Where appropriate, figures are given by gender and age as well as by socio-economic status and regional level.
| Heading | Examples |
| Demographic and socio-economic situation | Population, birth rate, total unemployment |
| Health status | Infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, road traffic injuries |
| Health determinants | Regular smokers, consumption/availability of fruit |
| Health interventions: health services | Vaccination of children, hospital beds, health expenditure |
| Health interventions: health promotion | Policies on healthy nutrition |
Heidi data tool
The Heidi data tool provides data on European health indicators. Data can be presented with different layouts: line chart, bar chart, map or table. It can be converted into an image or downloaded as a data file.
ECHIM joint action
Under the Second Programme of Community Action in the Field of Health 2008-2013, the EU is funding the joint action (JA) on European Community Health Indicators Monitoring (ECHIM). The ECHIM JA is a three-year project to develop and implement health indicators and health monitoring in the EU. It continues the work of the previous ECHI and ECHIM projects, and ends on 31.12.2011. Its general objective is to consolidate and expand the ECHI Indicator system towards a sustainable health monitoring system in Europe. The focus will be on collecting and disseminating comparable health data and information based on the ECHI shortlist of 88 indicators. The work is carried out in close collaboration with Member States, the European Commission, Eurostat, WHO, OECD and other international organisations with the aim of supporting the EU Health Strategy.
References
The ECHI monitoring project
makes recommendations on how the health indicators can be further developed and implemented in all EU countries. Currently, the key problems are lack of data for many indicators and poor comparability between and within countries. It has also revised the shortlist of indicators (June 2008), which now comprises 88 datasets.
Strategy on European Community health indicators
International compendium of health indicators – indicators used by WHO-Europe, OECD and Eurostat.