Challenges of health information in the European Region

Expertise in the field of health information – knowledge, tools, methods and evidence - is fragmented and not always shared in the international scientific literature.
Data are still too rarely collected based on commonly agreed indicator definitions, so meaningful analysis and effective dissemination of the information gathered are limited.
Large inequalities exist between national health information and reporting systems. For some countries, data collection is patchy and incomplete.
Indicators for some key concepts, such as well-being, still need refinement and further development.
Effective coordination and collaboration between international organizations, such as the European Union, WHO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, have previously been limited, so work is often duplicated and Member States have been required to provide data to multiple organizations. Major steps have been taken to remedy this, but more are essential.
Health information work has often been project based, using temporary funding, hindering the effective transfer of knowledge and maintenance of sustainable systems.