Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet)

A Rede de Políticas Baseadas em Evidências (EVIPNet) é uma iniciativa global que abrange abordagens de ponta à tradução de conhecimentos para uma melhor elaboração de políticas de saúde. ​ A EVIPNet apoia os países no aproveitamento das melhores evidências disponíveis e acionáveis ​​para fornecer políticas de saúde eficazes e de alta qualidade e fortalecer de forma sustentável os sistemas nacionais de saúde. ​

Evaluation of the Estonian Green Paper on Alcohol Policy

The Green Paper on Alcohol Policy has been Estonia’s strategy document for addressing alcohol-related harms since 2013. Its objectives include: reducing alcohol consumption and curbing harmful drinking patterns; preventing underage drinking; minimizing alcohol-related crime, social problems and health damage; and developing treatment and rehabilitation services for alcohol dependence.This technical report evaluates the public health impact of the Green Paper and associated policies, providing evidence-based insights for future alcohol control efforts in Estonia. The evaluation analyses alcohol consumption and related harms in Estonia from 2000 to 2023, focusing on periods before and after the implementation ofthe Green Paper’s recommendations.Following the Green Paper’s adoption (2013–2019), adult per capita alcohol consumption in Estonia decreased notably. Key indicators, such as age-standardized all-cause mortality and life expectancy at birth, demonstrated positive trends until the onset of the coronavirus disease pandemic. Evaluation of specific indicators revealedmixed outcomes: while there was a notable reduction in alcohol consumption and intoxication among minors, the target of reducing the annual population alcohol consumption to under 8 L per capita was not achieved. Although policy implementation coincided with decreases in alcohol-attributable injuries and mortality rates,it is challenging to attribute these improvements solely to the Green Paper.

Monitoring children’s development in Europe and central Asia with a focus on primary health care: directions for policy and practice

This publication was developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Officefor Europe and Central Asia and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. It aims to support policy makers, professionals, advocates and academics in introducing developmental monitoring as a part of routine child health services at the primary health care level. The publication provides guidance for professionals on the essentials of developmental monitoring, based on the available literature and findings regarding the currentstatus of developmental monitoring in the region.

Support tool to strengthen health information systems: guidance for health information system assessment and strategy development

It is essential for policy-makers to have a reliable and clear picture of how health is distributed in a given population, and what indicators contribute to or reduce opportunities to be healthy. Therefore, the surveillance of population health and well-being is the first of ten essential public health operations defined by WHO. WHO has a long tradition of providing support to Member States to strengthen their health information systems (HISs). Support tool to strengthen health information systems, is only one of WHO tools which provides guidance for HIS assessment and strategy development.The tool was first published in 2015, and an updated version was published in 2021. Current edition contains refined assessment methodology for the core module and four new add-on modules – Emergency response information management system, Geographic information system, Long-term care, and Migration health data - complementing the add-on modules included in the 2021 update (Health data governance, Health information for the Thirteenth General Programme of Work and the European Programme of Work 2020–2025, Human resources for health, Infectious disease surveillance, and Noncommunicable diseases monitoring).The tool has two main parts: guidance for performing an assessment of a full HIS and guidance for the subsequent development of an HIS strategy. The assessment methodology aims to achieve a good balance between data collection and actual data use and reflects the growing importance of electronic health records and other digital solutions. Add-on modules provide support for a more in-depth assessment of specific functions of HISs. Based on the outcomes of the assessment, the tool describes a stepwise and practical approach for HIS strategy development. The HIS assessment item sheets that are part of the assessment methodology are also available in the form of an excel sheet and published as a separate Web Annex.