European Health Examination Survey

EHES logo

European Health Examination Survey (EHES) is a health survey initiative aimed at collecting reliable and comparable health data across Europe. It focuses on gathering information through physical examinations and laboratory tests, complementing self-reported data obtained from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). The primary goal of the EHES is to support public health and policy-making by providing accurate data on the health status, risk factors, and prevalence of various diseases within the European population.

Background

The need for standardized health data across Europe was recognized due to the variations in health information systems and the lack of comparability between countries. The EHES was developed to address these challenges, with the first round of surveys conducted in the early 21st century. It is coordinated by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in Finland, with participation from member states of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and candidate countries.

Objectives

The main objectives of the EHES include:

• To collect high-quality, comparable data on major public health indicators across Europe.
• To identify health disparities between and within countries.
• To monitor trends in health status, risk factors, and chronic diseases.
• To provide evidence for health policy and planning at both national and European levels.

Methodology

The EHES methodology is standardized to ensure comparability of data. It includes:

• A core set of measurements, such as height, weight, blood pressure, and blood samples for assessing cholesterol and glucose levels.
• A questionnaire to collect demographic information and data on health behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
• Protocols for training fieldworkers and quality assurance procedures to maintain the reliability of the data collected.

Participation

Participation in the EHES is voluntary, with countries choosing to join the survey and implement it according to the standardized protocol. The survey targets adults aged 25 to 64 years, with a stratified sampling design to ensure representativeness of the population.

Findings and Impact

The data collected through the EHES have contributed to a better understanding of the health status and risk factors present in the European population. It has highlighted areas of concern, such as the high prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels, and identified variations in these health indicators across different regions and demographic groups. The findings from the EHES have been used to inform public health policies, strategies for disease prevention, and health promotion initiatives at both the national and European levels.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its successes, the EHES faces challenges, including securing funding for future rounds, ensuring the participation of all European countries, and adapting to changes in health trends and emerging public health threats. Future directions for the EHES include expanding the age range of participants, incorporating new health indicators, and enhancing data linkage capabilities to enrich the survey data with other health and administrative records.