Gaining health : analysis of policy development in European ...

Chapter 4
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They were asked to send their comments and proposals on
the basis of a common format. The draft policy based on
these contributions will then be sent to all stakeholders for
consultation. It is expected that at least three meetings will
be organized between the drafting group in the Ministry
and the stakeholders, for the revision of the draft. Finally,
the economic feasibility and sustainability of the proposals
will be assessed.
One important part of this process is the development of
a “Health Map”, which in effect is a huge database presenting
data (as its name suggests) by geographical area in an
easy-to-use way. This ambitious project was initiated in the
early 2000s with 75% funding from the EU (18). Considerable
work has been accomplished towards developing the
Health Map, which will include:
• demographic data (socioeconomic characteristics such
as family situation, income, education, occupation and
education);
• epidemiological data (including such aspects as mortality,
morbidity, life expectancy, lifestyle, smoking, nutrition
and physical activity);
• resources for health and welfare, services provided and
personnel in the public and private sectors;
• utilization of services, costs, effectiveness, efficiency, etc.;
and
• environmental data such as of air and water pollution.
The Health Map will be available on the Internet, and is
intended to serve the public with information on services
available in the area in which they live; the public services
for informed policy-making and planning; and the research
community, for whom raw data will be available. Different
parts of the Map will be accessible to different groups on
the appropriate terms.
A communication strategy (19) developed for 2006–2007
included television spots and pamphlets dealing with cholesterol,
obesity, diabetes, blood pressure and skin cancer. A
similar social awareness campaign (20) was launched at the
end of 2007, aimed mainly at young people and dealing with
risks such as smoking, drugs, nutrition and exercise. Wellknown
personalities are to act as “ambassadors” for health.
The development of modern methods of health promotion
is hampered by the lack of a critical mass of health promotion
experts and a recognized research centre for health
promotion, although the School of Public Health plays this
role to some extent.
2.5. Policies for specific NCD
2.5.1. Heart health
Although CVD are the main cause of death in Greece,
regular surveys to monitor heart health and its causes are
not yet in place. Some years ago, Greece applied to join the
WHO MONICA Project but unfortunately was unable to
fulfil the requirements for data collection. No doubt it is
partly due to this dearth of information that there appears
to be no clearly defined policy for tackling CVD. 8 However,
the MHSS makes available information materials concerning
the risks for heart health, and the use of television spots for
health education is being intensified.
The impact of such health education material does not yet
appear to have been evaluated. Furthermore, the “family
physician” system is not yet widespread in Greece, nor is it
clear how much support or training is given to first-contact
health professionals to carry out health promotion activities
related to tackling CVD.
The Greek Institute of Cardiology, established in 1991, has
been working for more than a decade with the Ministry of
National Education and Religious Affairs and its more than
300 cardiologists visit schools to inform children about the
8
Since the completion of this case study, a National Action Plan for
Heart Disease 2008–2012 has been formulated (in Greek only) by the
Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity and is available at http://www.
mohaw.gr.
Case studies: policy development in countries for tackling noncommunicable diseases