Presents and discusses the results of an evaluation, conducted in 1993 1994, of health conditions in the 50 countries of Europe. Particular attention is given to the health consequences of profound political, social, and economic changes seen in countries of central and eastern Europe and the newly independent states of the former USSR. Throughout the report, full-colour graphs and charts illustrate statistical trends over time, for countries and groups of countries, in such areas as life expectancy, mortality rates from chronic diseases, cases of selected infectious diseases, and numbers of AIDS cases. To reflect the importance of preventive medicine, the report also gives comparative statistical information on such lifestyle and environmental factors as cigarette and alcohol consumption, exercise, injuries and poisoning, and exposure to environmental risks. The health of Europe is discussed according to an established framework that covers the prerequisites for health, indicators of current health status, the principles and practice of health for all in Europe, and public health action to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy environments, and appropriat care. While the report found improvements in the health situation of western Europe, countries in the east reveal a stagnating life expectancy, more premature deaths from chronic disease, outbreaks of diphtheria and other communicable diseases, and increasing numbers of accidents. For these countries, the study also revealed a declining standard of living for a large part of the population, particularly elderly people in urban areas.

DC.EURO

eng fre ger rus.

WHODOC

WHO monograph

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