[ more publications ]

First Korean HiT
May 2010, Language: English
The Observatory’s first health system profile on Korea focuses on major health care reforms implemented in the last 10 years. These include the integration of existing health insurance funds into a single insurer system in 2000 and the incremental expansion of the benefit package. A concerted focus on technology assessment also led to the establishment of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency in 2008. The future development of the health care system is intended to shift towards a greater focus on preventive health care.
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New book on tackling chronic diseases
May 2010, Language: English
Chronic conditions and diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, accounting for 86% of total premature deaths. The epidemiologic and economic analyses in this book suggest that policy-makers should make chronic disease a priority. This book highlights the main issues and focuses on the strategies and interventions that policy-makers have at their disposal to tackle this increasing challenge.
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New Georgian HiT
April 2010, Language: English
This report chiefly focuses on developments in Georgia after the Rose Revolution in 2003, which brought fundamental change to the role of government in providing, financing and managing health care. Challenges include weak regulation and high levels of out-of-pocket payments, which reduce access to services for much of the population.
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Launch of the 2010 health system review on the Netherlands
in The Hague, 8 April
April 2010, Language: English
The Observatory is proud to launch the newest and long awaited health system review on the Netherlands at the Working Conference on Health Services Research in Europe. The HiT was produced in close collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and supported by the Dutch Ministry of Health.
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New Italian HiT
April 2010, Language: English
This new profile of the Italian health system provides updates on reforms as well as future challenges which include overcoming the large variability in the quality of health care among regions; providing a national policy for the governance of patient mobility; and the reorganization of primary health care, among others.
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New Eurohealth
April 2010, Language: English
This issue features a brief history and critical assessment of periodic health examinations by Walter Holland. There is also an article from the new World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab, who sets out her vision of the way forward for the WHO Regional Office. Other contributions include the occasional debate series, this time focusing on issues around regulation to help minimise bias in respect of the evaluation of new drugs. The issue also features two articles looking at policy implementation: one on mainstreaming public health policy at a European level, the other on the development of policy for older people in Wales.
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New Euro Observer on capital investment
March 2010, Language: English
This issues focuses on capital investment and strategic planning in health care facilities. Case studies come from Spain, Finland and Northern Ireland.
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Capacity planning policy brief
Now available in Russian
March 2010, Language: English, Russian
This policy brief reviews approaches to capacity planning by concentrating on a selection of diverse countries. It presents a range of approaches to health care financing and organization, as they impact capacity planning.
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Nordic health care systems
Now free to dowload
February 2010, Language: English
This comparative study, which also assesses the influence of the European Union on Nordic health systems, highlights how Nordic countries have retained the principles of universalism and equity while promoting the benefits of patient choice.
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Performance measurement
for health system improvement
February 2010, Language: English
This volume presents the opportunities and challenges associated with performance measurement in a framework that is clear and easy to understand. It examines the various levels at which health system performance is undertaken, the technical instruments and tools available, and the implications using these may have for those charged with the governance of the health system.
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EU health trends and analysis
February 2010, Language: English
This report investigates differences in health status within and between European countries. The relationship between living conditions, socioeconomic factors and health is discussed and analysed with the objective of stimulating a debate and policy action for creating a healthier and more equitable society.
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