Attendance and focus

Mr Marco d'Angelantonio (HIM), Mr Arpo Aromaa (Finland), Mr Eckardt Bergmann and Mr Helmut Brand (Germany), Mr Gerhard Fülöp (Austria), Mr Oyvind Hesselberg (Norway), Ms Susanne Holland (Sweden), Ms Csilla Kaposvári (Hungary), Mr Bernard Ledésert (France), Mr Herman van Oyen (Belgium), Mr Remigijus Prochorskas (WHO-Euro), Mr Peter Achterberg, Ms Maartje Harbers, Mr Pieter Kramers, Mr Rutger Nugteren, Mr Roel Schreurs, Ms Sabine Silva, Ms Nicoline Tamsma and Ms Eveline van der Wilk (RIVM). Apologies were received from: Mr Finn Kamper-Jörgensen (Denmark), Mr Martin McKee/Ms Ellen Nolte (UK), Mr Arthur Furtado (DG SANCO), Ms Sanja Kaiser (RIVM),

This meeting focused on two key issues: (1) the test release of EUPHIX' first integrated pilot application, and (2) the EUPHIX draft Work Plan.

The Pilot application

The first version of the application has four main features:

1. The information approach mode. Health information is structured and presented in two different ways: a concise format ('topics'), and a broader format ('themes'). The information can be accessed via either of these modes;
2. The structured way in which the topics are ordered and presented: the 'topic tree';
3. Six elaborated examples of content, presented in 'topic' format and structured within the 'topic tree'; two elaborated examples of 'themes'.
4. A range of technical functionalities (internal links, links to references, definitions, etc.)

The project team demonstrated the application on-line, and then presented the technical aspects in detail. This included the possibilities to generate tables, graphs and maps from a database. Thereafter, Remis Prochorskas from WHO-Euro presented the DPS system developed at WHO.

Several points were raised during the discussion.

• A general agreement on the 'look and feel' of the application, and on the idea of structuring and presenting the information in a more concise ('topics') as well as in a broader, more reflective format ('themes') was attained. However, there were some concerns about the suitability of the chosen terms to represent these formats. A range of options for clear and user-friendly access, including various search options, were also discussed.
• Gathering, structuring and presenting good quality, reliable information is a key challenge. EUPHIX aspires to build on the 'best available data'. This includes identifying the most reliable and adequate data for each indicator. An important role of the expert authors arises here. This calls for well-defined protocols necessary to facilitate objective reporting.
• Given the importance of regional responsibities for public health and health policy in several EU member states, the project may have to incorporate information on health and policy at sub-national level.
• In reporting on policies, information on priorities and intended measures may have to be checked against the actual state of affairs regarding the implementation.
• Various elements of the the database tool developed at the WHO (DPS-2) may be helpful in the further development of the EUPHIX tool.
• When authors and editors opt to rely on secondary data, easy access to the original database or other source (e.g. WHO-HFA) must be provided.
• In developing the Content Management System (CMS), particular attention will be paid to user-friendly aspects so that the system can be used by external authors and be handed over after the ending of the project.
• The added value of EUPHIX among other EU activities should be better defined.
• The sustainability of the project output (i.e. the application as well as the content) after the end of the project is of paramount importance. This also implies good links with the EU Health Portal.

The Work Plan and Time Table

The main features of the work plan and the time table were introduced. Highlights from the discussion were:

• EUPHIX is to build a prototype for web-based health reporting, and to develop a cross-section of the type of the health information that could be presented via the system. Hence, there is no need to aim for complete coverage of health issues. Instead, a more elaborate work on a selected numer of complex health themes would be useful for demonstration purposes.
• The project will benefit from increased exposure in the European public health arena in order to maximize its added value and sustainability. Once the key pillars of the system have been designed and a fair range of content has been developed, large-scale European conferences, such as the EUPHA conference or the European Health Forum Gastein could provide good opportunities to receive more specific feedback from the intended user group.
• EUPHIX aspires to incorporate results from a broad range of activities funded through the EU Public Health programme.
• EUPHIX has started work on tobacco and obesity in teh EU as the first two priority 'themes'. Once the information on these two themes has been incorporated, work on the Mental health theme will begin, as agreed at the first project meeting in June 2005. Alcohol, Injuries, and Child health were identified as future policy relevant themes.

Pictures