Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Registries in the E.U.: A cross country comparison

Abstract

Abstract Background: Health promotion and disease prevention programme registries (HPPR), or ‘best practice portals’, serve as entry points and practical repositories which enable decision-makers to have easy access to (evidence-based) practices. However, there is limited knowledge of differences or overlaps in the functioning of current national HPPRs in Europe, the context and circumstances in which these HPPRs were developed, and the mechanisms utilised by each HPPR for assessment, classification and quality improvement of included practices. The aim of the study was to prepare an overview of different approaches in several national HPPRs and the EU Best Practice Portal (EU BPP) as well as to identify commonalities and differences among core characteristics of the HPPRs. Methods: A descriptive comparison – focused on six European countries with an existing or recently developed/implemented national HPPR and the EU BPP – was conducted to create a comparative overview. Coding mechanisms were used to identify commonalities and differences, and data management, collection and building consensus were performed during EuroHealthNet Thematic Working Group meetings. Results: All HPPRs offer a broad range of health promotion and disease prevention practices and are designed to support practitioners, policy makers and researchers in selecting practices. Almost all HPPRs have an assessment process in place or planned, requiring the application of assessment criteria that differ among the HPPRs. While all HPPRs collect and share recommendable practices, others have implemented further measures to improve the quality of submitted practices. Different dissemination tools and strategies are employed to promote the use of the HPPRs, including social media, newsletters and publications as well as capacity building workshops for practice owners or technical options to connect citizens/patients with local practices. Conclusions: Collaboration between HPPRs (at national and EU levels) is appreciated, especially in terms of using consistent terminology to avoid misinterpretation and facilitate cross-country comparison, as well as to facilitate discussion on the adaption of assessment criteria by national HPPRs. Greater efforts are needed to promote the actual implementation and transfer of practices at national level in order to address public health challenges with proven and effective practices.