16/4/2013
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Researchers uncover huge differences in health services and outcomes for people across Europe

Euro flagsPolitical failures, squandered opportunities and professional indifference have led to the health of European citizens facing crisis, according to new research. Shortfalls caused by withdrawn services due to the financial crisis, failure to adapt to new health challenges, and a lack of will to implement public health policies are outlined in the Lancet Series on Europe.

Led by Professor Martin McKee, researchers identified a range of disparities in access to health and preventive care services, and in health outcomes across Europe, including:

    Disparity in male life expectancy between eastern and western Europe is now greater than it was 40 years ago
    Public health efforts are at risk of disruption and deregulation from EU law
    Countries of the former Soviet Union face health crisis due to alcohol and tobacco-related disease
    6,000 children’s lives could be saved annually with “achievable” improvements in child health services, with the UK worst performing on child health in Europe
    Migrant health is being threatened as progressive health policies disappear
    “Alarmist” concerns about ageing European society must not be used to justify welfare cuts
    Public health voices must break their silence to combat ill effects of financial crisis on health