Health examination surveys

Find synergies in data collection procedures, in the establishment of a centralized database, in definitions of indicators to be used in reporting and in the establishment of reporting systems.

Health examination surveys (HES), population based surveys with questionnaires; objective measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure, and collection of biological samples (blood, urine, saliva, etc.) provide data for many health indicators which cannot be obtained through any other data sources. This type of data can be used to support policy decision, planning and evaluation of prevention programs and for research.

In Europe, several countries have conducted at least one regional or national HES during the past 20 years. When surveys are conducted without standardized protocols, results between surveys are not comparable. European Health Examination Survey (EHES) Pilot Project, 2009-2012, prepared the standardized protocols for core measurements of HES (antropometry, blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol and glucose/HbA1c) together with training material and quality assurance procedures.

This project will

  1. update and further develop these standardized protocols;
  2. update and develop related training materials;
  3. develop centralized data management and reporting system for European HES data;
  4. identify national legislation/regulations and international agreements which require and/or support the health indicators collected through HESs.
     

All these actions work towards the system which ensures comparability of national HES conducted in Europe and equal opportunity for all EU Member States to conduct national HESs.

The main contributer to this research field is: