CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The new public health index – Assessing public health policies in Europe
1
German Cancer Research Center, (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
2
AOK-Bundesverband eGbR, Berlin, Germany
3
Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
4
Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany and National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
5
Université de Lausanne, Institut des sciences du sport, Lausanne, Switzerland
6
Department, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A33
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Tobacco and alcohol use as well as poor diet and physical inactivity are causing a significant proportion of the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in Germany and worldwide. The aim of this project was to develop an overarching Public Health Index (PHI) that can be used to assess and internationally compare the implementation status of key evidence-based measures to address these four risk factors. The PHI is intended to serve as a means of identifying shortcomings and potential for improvement in NCD prevention policies at country level. The PHI is to be used for advocating for tobacco control and other NCD prevention policies. While this study focuses on Germany in comparison to other European countries, this approach can serve as a blueprint for adaptations to other countries.
METHODS:
The PHI is made up by four sub-indices. Existing indices were used for tobacco (Tobacco Control Scale) and alcohol (Bridging the Gap – Modified). For diet and physical activity new indices were developed. The results for the four areas of action – tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity – are combined in an overarching index. All areas contribute equally to the overall assessment. The index was applied to 18 European countries.
RESULTS:
Germany ranks second last of the surveyed countries for the overarching index. For tobacco control Germany is on rank 17 out of 18, for alcohol prevention on rank 16 and for diet it ranks on the last place together with Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. In terms of facilitating physical activity, Germany ranks 10th out of 18 countries, together with Austria. Overall, the German speaking countries Austria, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland are the lowest ranking countries, whereas UK, Finland and Ireland are leading in NCD prevention policies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Germany lags behind in tobacco control as well as in other areas of NCD prevention. Best practices identified for effective tobacco control in particular and public health policies in general are strong political commitment, a health-in-all policies approach and broad involvement of civil society. Importantly, effective prevention policies are hampered by political interference of the industries concerned. Decisive political action is needed to overcome these shortcomings.
Tobacco and alcohol use as well as poor diet and physical inactivity are causing a significant proportion of the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in Germany and worldwide. The aim of this project was to develop an overarching Public Health Index (PHI) that can be used to assess and internationally compare the implementation status of key evidence-based measures to address these four risk factors. The PHI is intended to serve as a means of identifying shortcomings and potential for improvement in NCD prevention policies at country level. The PHI is to be used for advocating for tobacco control and other NCD prevention policies. While this study focuses on Germany in comparison to other European countries, this approach can serve as a blueprint for adaptations to other countries.
METHODS:
The PHI is made up by four sub-indices. Existing indices were used for tobacco (Tobacco Control Scale) and alcohol (Bridging the Gap – Modified). For diet and physical activity new indices were developed. The results for the four areas of action – tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity – are combined in an overarching index. All areas contribute equally to the overall assessment. The index was applied to 18 European countries.
RESULTS:
Germany ranks second last of the surveyed countries for the overarching index. For tobacco control Germany is on rank 17 out of 18, for alcohol prevention on rank 16 and for diet it ranks on the last place together with Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. In terms of facilitating physical activity, Germany ranks 10th out of 18 countries, together with Austria. Overall, the German speaking countries Austria, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland are the lowest ranking countries, whereas UK, Finland and Ireland are leading in NCD prevention policies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Germany lags behind in tobacco control as well as in other areas of NCD prevention. Best practices identified for effective tobacco control in particular and public health policies in general are strong political commitment, a health-in-all policies approach and broad involvement of civil society. Importantly, effective prevention policies are hampered by political interference of the industries concerned. Decisive political action is needed to overcome these shortcomings.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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