Eurohealth: reducing inequalities in health and health care

Abstract

Inequalities in health exist both within and between countries. They are both unnecessary and unjust. They also create a great cost to societies, not only through the direct costs of providing health care for those with avoidable illness but also the costs of reduced participation in the workforce and lower productivity. In November 2014, these issues were brought to the fore when Glasgow hosted the 7th European Public Health Conference with the theme “Mind the Gap: Reducing Inequalities in Health and Health Care”. The conference, organized by the European Public Health Association and the United Kingdom’s Society for Social Medicine, provided an opportunity for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to exchange opinions and examples of best practice, to improve our understanding of the nature, extent and causes of inequalities and to share ideas and experiences regarding the means to reduce inequalities. This issueof Eurohealth highlights some of the main contributions to the conference and provides a timely update of current knowledge and areas for action in Europe. Eurohealth Observer – Health inequalities, learning how to "mind the gap"; Glasgow Declaration; Roma communities responding to health inequalities in Europe; Adaptation of health promotion and disease prevention interventions for migrant and ethnic minority populations; Eurohealth International – Learning from each other, where health promotion meets infectious diseases; Public health monitoring and reporting; Changing your health behaviour, regulate or not; Developing the public health workforce; Eurohealth Systems and Policies – Building sustainable and resilient health care systems; Looking forward – Leaving a legacy in Glasgow; Conclusion, How to reduce inequalities in health and health care; and Eurohealth Monitor.