The State of Health in Europe: Key Challenges and Achievements
Healthcare in Europe is a top priority for the European Commission and the European Union alike. Every year the EU looks to improve healthcare for all its citizens, implementing new legislation and policies as well as providing financial support to member states. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at the state of health in Europe, highlighting some of its key challenges as well as looking at the key achievements and successes in healthcare it has had.
Health Challenges in Europe
Europe faces multiple health challenges, some of which are more pressing than others. Here we outline some of the key challenges Europe is currently facing:
Inequity in Access
One of the biggest challenges Europe is currently facing when it comes to health is unequal access to healthcare. Many countries in the EU have high rates of health inequality, meaning that access to healthcare and health services is lacking or inadequate in some parts of the region. Low income populations are especially disadvantaged due to lack of financial resources and access to quality care.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse has become a major problem in Europe, particularly among young people. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drugs Addiction, drug use among young adults in Europe is estimated to be as high as 15% and it is increasing. This creates a health concern for the long-term wellbeing of young people in Europe.
Obesity
The obesity crisis in Europe has been steadily worsening over the past few decades, with many countries in the region having an obesity rate higher than 20%. This is a problem not only in terms of health, but also in terms of healthcare expenditure. Obese people are more likely to have health problems, resulting in higher costs for treating these individuals.
Alcohol-Related Deaths
Alcohol-related deaths are a major issue in Europe. It is estimated that over 700,000 people in the EU die every year due to alcohol-related causes, with the highest numbers occurring in Central and Eastern European countries.
Recent Achievements in European Healthcare
Despite the above challenges, Europe has made significant progress in healthcare over the past few decades. Here are some of the key successes and achievements the region has had in healthcare:
Increased Health Spending
Health spending in Europe has increased by an estimated 1.3% every year since 2009 and is expected to continue to rise. This has resulted in more money being invested in health services and improved access to quality healthcare for all citizens.
Lower Infant Mortality Rate
The infant mortality rate in Europe has decreased in recent years, with the average across the EU standing at 4.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017. This is significantly lower than the global average of 32.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Improved Access to Medicine
Access to medicine has been notably improved in recent years due to a shift from in-person healthcare services to digital healthcare. Digital health solutions such as telemedicine and e-prescriptions have made obtaining access to medicine much easier and more affordable.
Greater Focus on Prevention
The EU has also taken steps to reduce the burden of illnesses and diseases through the promotion of preventive care. This includes campaigns that raise awareness of health issues, as well as initiatives that focus on early diagnosis and intervention.
The state of health in Europe is generally better than in many other parts of the world, but there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Issues such as unequal access to healthcare, drug abuse, obesity, and alcohol-related deaths need to be tackled with an integrated approach involving both policy and preventive measures. At the same time, the EU has achieved notable successes in healthcare, such as increased health spending, lower infant mortality rate, improved access to medicine, and a greater emphasis on prevention. All these measures have been implemented to ensure that every European citizen has access to quality healthcare and can enjoy a healthy standard of living.
Primary Takeaways
- Europe faces multiple health challenges such as inequity in access, drug abuse, obesity, and alcohol-related deaths.
- Recent successes in European healthcare include increased health spending, lower infant mortality rate, improved access to medicine, and a greater focus on prevention.
- The EU has implemented various policy and preventive measures to ensure every European citizen has access to quality healthcare and a healthy standard of living.