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National Level Policies

The National Level Policies section of the portal provides an overview of
the actual situation concerning actions to tackle health inequalities in the
different European countries.

This part of the portal is currently being developed, the information for the remaining countries will continuously be completed.

In addition to the national level portraits of the individual countries the
overview analysis has been conducted and its initial results have been
published in EuroHealth magazine (EuroHealth, 11:2 p.24).

Download the final 'Closing the Gap' publication: Taking Action on Health Equity.

This publication contains summaries of what each of the 21 ´Closing the Gap´ partners are doing to address health inequalities in their countries, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of this 3-year initiative.

Results of the same country

List all good practice projects of the actual country.

You are here: > National Level Policies > Overview > Cross-Sectoral Approach

Cross-Sectoral Approach

Figure 7: Number of countries having cross-sectoral structures responsible to address health inequalities.

15 countries indicated that they have a wide variety of departments, belonging to different ministries, responsible to influence or co-ordinate action addressing health inequalities.  
However, only 12 countries (57%) declared that there is a set way of coordination between these units.
In England for example, the ‘Health Inequalities Unit’ is a small team in the department of health with a cross government focus. Rather than taking the policy lead on all health inequalities issues, the Unit makes links and connections between a wide range of different bodies and initiatives to ensure a health inequalities perspective is included in their work. Programme boards have been established to co-ordinate activity across government and provide governance.

4 countries have mentioned that national funds dedicated to health inequalities are clearly identifiable in the most recent national budget.
In Norway, a grant of 250.000 euros was allocated in 2005 to the Directorate of Health and Social Welfare to prepare the implementation of the strategies in the action plan.
In Wales, there is a special “Inequalities in Health Fund" established to stimulate and support local action to address inequalities in health and the factors that contribute to it, including inequities in access to health services.
Although the remaining countries did not identify funds specifically dedicated to combat health inequalities, they mentioned that funding was available through public health and health promotion funds.

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