The gap between the longest and shortest life expectancy found in EU-27 decreased by 17% for men between 2007 and 2011 and 4% for women between 2006 and 2011. The gap in infant mortality between the EU countries with the highest and the lowest rates went down from 15.2 to 7.3/ per1000 live births between 2001 and 2011. Average infant mortality in the EU also fell during this period - from 5.7 to 3.9 per 1000 live births. The report points to some positive developments in implementing the EU strategy on health inequalities, 'Solidarity in Health', while concluding that more action is needed at local, national and EU levels.
European Health Commissioner, Tonio Borg, said: "Inequalities in health in terms of life expectancy and in particular in infant mortality have been significantly reduced in the European Union in the past few years. This is encouraging. However, our commitment must be unwavering in order to address the continued gaps in health between social groups and between regions and Member States, as shown in this report. Action to bridge health inequalities across Europe must remain a priority at all levels."
Health inequalities between countries, regions and social groups
- Sweden has the highest life expectancy for men - 79.9 years, a difference of nearly 12 years vis-à-vis the Member State with the lowest expectancy (68.1).
- Life expectancy for women is highest in France - 85.7, a difference of 8 years vis-à-vis the Member State with the lowest expectancy (77.8 years).
- When it comes to healthy life years in men, there is a difference of 19 years between the lowest and highest values in the EU (2011 figures). For women, this was nearly as high at 18.4 years.
- In 2010, the gap between life expectancy at birth between most and least advantaged regions in the EU was 13.4 years for men and 10.6 years for women.
- In the same year, there were seven EU regions with infant mortality rates greater than 10 per 1000 live births. This is more than 2.5 the EU average of 4.1/1000.
- In 2010, the estimated gap in life expectancy at age 30 for men between the least and the most educated varied from around three years up to 17 years in different Member States. For women the gap was slightly smaller, varying from 1 to 9 years.
Causes of health inequalities
The report examines various factors causing health inequalities and finds that social inequalities in health are due to a disparity in the conditions of daily life and drivers such as income, unemployment levels and levels of education. The review found many examples of associations between risk factors for health, including tobacco use and obesity, and socioeconomic circumstances.
To read the full report(s) please click here
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