TODAY, Europeans enjoy a much longer life expectancy than the previous generation, but large inequalities in health remain across and within countries. These are largely due to disparities in access to and quality of care, as well as individual lifestyles and behaviours, according to a new joint OECD/European Commission report.
Health at a Glance: Europe 2014 shows that life expectancy in EU member states has increased by more than five years on average since 1990. But the gap between those countries with the highest life expectancies (Spain, Italy and France) and those with the lowest (Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania) remains around eight years.
Within all EU countries, highly educated people are likely to live several years longer and in better health than those with low level of education. This is particularly the case in Central and Eastern Europe.
This makes it all the more important that all European countries put in place effective public health strategies to prevent diseases and contribute to the reduction in health inequalities.
In most EU countries, universal health coverage has ensured continued access to health care during the recent economic crisis. But in Bulgaria and Greece, many people lost their insurance coverage, at least temporarily. Several countries have seen their coverage for certain health services and goods reduced, and out-of-pocket payments by patients have risen.
In most EU countries, universal health coverage has ensured continued access to health care during the recent economic crisis. But in Bulgaria and Greece, many people lost their insurance coverage, at least temporarily. Several countries have seen their coverage for certain health services and goods reduced, and out-of-pocket payments by patients have risen.
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