WHO review uses CPC research

A World Health Organisation (WHO) review, examining social determinants and the health divide in the WHO European region, has just published. This landmark review is the result of over two years of research by a cross-disciplinary consortium of Europe's leading experts, chaired by Professor Sir Michael Marmot.

The report features contributions from CPC Director, Professor Jane Falkingham, including tables from CPC Working Paper 24 'Inequalities in child and maternal health outcomes in CEE and the CIS'.

The European Review, for the first time, offers evidence-based social policy options that can significantly enhance health, well-being, equity and economies, specifically targeted to each of the 53 countries of the WHO's European region, which spans as far east as the Russian Federation to the UK in the west.

"For the first time we have an unprecedented evidence-based set of practical policy recommendations about what all countries can do to address the so-called "upstream" causes of health inequities, specifically targeted to their income level. This review crystallizes vital new knowledge for governments so that they can cut health inequalities and put people at the centre of health systems - the goals of Health 2020, the European health policy framework," says Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

The review answers the demand from policy-makers for practical guidance on identifying social policies that work to reduce inequities in health between and within low-, middle- and high-income countries. It presents compelling new Region-specific economic and human-rights-based evidence for why action on the social determinants of health is needed now. The financial crisis threatens a public health emergency, and inaction will lead to a worsening of social, economic and health burdens.

The review identifies "best buy" priorities in 12 policy areas, covering action across the life-course; in wider society, based on social cohesion, protection and the right to health; in relation to economic, fiscal, environmental and other sectors; and in health systems.

Posted 05/11/2013 11:43