A recurring evidence cycle for European health policy
The State of Health in the EU is a recurring knowledge-brokering initiative managed by the European Commission in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Its purpose is to make health-system information, expertise and policy experience accessible to governments, policymakers, researchers, stakeholders and others involved in shaping health policy.
The initiative combines cross-country comparison with country-specific analysis. It examines not only population health, but also how European health systems perform in terms of effectiveness, accessibility and resilience.
The cycle is funded through the EU4Health Programme, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/522.
From data to policy decisions
The value of the State of Health in the EU lies in combining comparable indicators with analysis of national institutions, reforms and policy responses.
The evidence can therefore reveal where countries face common pressures, where performance differs substantially and which reforms or policy approaches may be relevant elsewhere.
National health authorities can subsequently use Policy Dialogues with OECD and Observatory experts to examine specific findings, exchange good practices and discuss possible policy responses.
