Health inequalities, financial crisis, and infectious disease control in the EU

Inequalities in health exist both within and between EU Member States. This leads to differential exposures and outcomes to a wide range of infectious diseases. There are concerns that health inequalities might be widening or exacerbated, in part due to the financial crisis of recent years. In particular, two effects of the financial crisis are of concern: first, additional vulnerabilities and/or the size of vulnerable groups might be increasing; and second, public spending for infectious disease control measures might be dwindling threatening public health.

 

The purpose of this meeting was to:

 

• To identify key emerging issues related to health inequalities and infectious disease control in the EU due to the economic downturn
• To facilitate the exchange of experiences, concerns, and best practices as related to health inequalities and infectious disease
• To advise ECDC to prioritise on its forthcoming activities addressing health inequalities, vulnerable populations and related topics

 

Use the hashtag #sdohECDC to follow on Twitter.