The Euro Health Consumer Index 2014 was presented in Brussels on January 27 by Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis. The Euro Health Consumer Index rates 36 countries and Scotland on 48 parameters such as access to a CT scan within seven days, decrease of stroke deaths, depression and long term care of the elderly.
The Netherlands tops the list with 898 points, out of maximum 1000. A record high nine countries have received more than 800 points, while the lowest score was given to Bosnia Herzegovina, which received 420 points. Despite the economic crisis, that still has huge consequences on the public health sector in Europe, the European health is improving, among other things due to increasing survival rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer, according to the Index authors. However, the authors of the Index express worries about the increasing equity gap between wealthy and less wealthy European countries.
The full report on the Euro Health Consumer Index 2014 can be found online together with national press releases based on the individual country results. The Index is providing a general overview of the status of the healthcare system. For a more specific overview of mental health one can turn to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Mental Health and Integration report, which is also accessible online.
The European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) has officially started its “Believe and Achieve” programme making paid internships with important businesses available to young people with MS across Europe.
More information can be found in EMSP’s press release.