European community health monitoring: the EUPHIX-model

Abstract

Aims: On 20 June 2008, the EUPHIX website (www.euphix.org) was officially launched. EUPHIX aims to provide policy relevant health information, data and knowledge for policy makers, public health experts and educated lay people in the European Union (EU). The project was carried out by a partnership of European health reporting experts. Methods: The conceptual structure of EUPHIX resembles the one used for the ECHI-indicator framework, but adds health policies. EUPHIX includes texts (EUphacts) next to indicator data, as well as links to organizations, data and literature. Other contributions, called EUphocus, address broader agenda issues, such as mental health and health inequalities. Some EUphocus contributions contain summarized outcomes of EU projects. In this sense, EUPHIX has a European platform function as well. Behind the surface of the EUPHIX website lies a complex internet application, including databases, i.e. for indicator data, for internal and external web links and for references and definitions. This back-office contains a Content Management System that guides an editorial process allowing the differentiation of the roles of authors, reviewers and content editors. User oriented functionalities include different ways to interactively manipulate data for personal presentation needs. Some EUphacts are linked to the Health-EU Portal. Results: EUPHIX is drawing increasing numbers of visitors and has the potential to become the nucleus of a health monitoring system for the EU. However, current financing practice puts serious limits to its sustainability. Conclusions: The conclusion is that the EUPHIX model launched in June 2008 is integrating data, information and knowledge into a new type of Health Information System. The EUPHIX model is proposed to be the future model for EU health reporting.