Press Release: Commission takes steps to tackle health inequalities in the EU

On 20 October 2009 the European Commission announced a series of actions to help Member States and other actors tackle the gaps in health which exist between and within countries in the EU. Despite increased prosperity and overall improvements in health in the EU, health differences between and within countries persist and in some cases are increasing. Difference in life expectancy at birth between Member States reach up to 8 years for women and 14 years for men. The reasons behind these differences are complex and involve a wide range of factors from income, education, living and working conditions, health behaviours to access to healthcare. A possible consequence of the current financial crisis is that this health gap will increase in the groups most hit by the recession such as the unemployed. The Commission initiative identified action for improving knowledge on this issue, better monitoring and data collection, more assessment of how EU policies can tackle health inequalities and work with countries, regions and stakeholders.

European Commission: MEMO/09/467: Questions and Answers on Solidarity in health: Reducing health inequalities in the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/467&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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