WHO European Review

• Interim Second Report of the Social Determinants of Health and the Health Divide in the WHO European Region

Report abstract

The WHO Regional Director for Europe has commissioned a review of social determinants of health and the health divide in the European Region. There are major health inequalities within and between countries in the WHO European Region. The purpose of the review is to identify the relevance of the findings of the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010 (Marmot Review), and other new evidence to the European context and translate these into policy proposals. The review will inform the new policy for health for the European Region, Health 2020, as will a companion study on governance for health in the 21st century. It will accelerate action on socially determined health inequities by developing policies that work in low-, middle- and high-income countries. It is drawing on best practices, examples and experience of addressing social determinants of health and health inequities in the Region. One of the key goals of the review is to identify what can be implemented with sufficient scale and intensity to make a difference across the diverse contexts of the European Region.

The Review is chaired by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, supported by senior advisors, task groups and secretariats at UCL and WHO.

The executive summary of the Review is now available on the WHO website.

The Lancet have also published an article based on the executive summary. More information is available on our articles page.

By Institute of Health Equity Sep 2012