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European Urban Health Indicators (EURO-URHIS) Parts 1 and 2

The European Urban Health Indicator System 2 (EURO-URHIS 2) project commenced on 1st January 2009, following on from EURO-URHIS which developed a network of 60 urban areas across Europe. The EURO-URHIS initiative sought to find availability of many health indicators across Europe, and to describe some features of health that, whilst not specific only to urban situations, have a major impact on the health of urban residents.

By interviewing health experts in these areas alongside an extensive literature review, information on data availability and the nature of European Union, urban health was developed. The European Community Health Indicator (ECHI) long-list was used as a starting point. The end result was a list of 39 health indicators that could be tested across some or all of the cities participating in the project. The project was a starting point, and concluded that more research was required in order to build an effective health indicator system.

EURO-URHIS 2 takes this work further by developing instruments to collect data at urban area, through health interview survey, routinely available sources of information and consultation with public health policy makers in each participating city.

The EURO-URHIS 2 project has resulted in the largest set of Urban Health Indicators on an individual level in the world. These indicators have been analysed for the urban areas involved in the project and Health Profiles have been created. 

The results of the study have caused great interest and received large coverage from media outlets around the world.

Health Protection Agency, Manchester City Council and the Association of Greater Manchester PCTs

  • An 8 year programme of Blood Bourne Virus prevention research including a PhD and implementation into a Greater Manchester prevention strategy which was ratified by all 10 PCTs
  • Evaluation projects for public health intervention and teaching
  • Development of summary public health measures to inform policy

NHS Bury and NHS Screening Programmes

  • Data linkage to improve uptake of the Human Papilloma Vaccine and cervical screening
  • Analysis and interpretation of local health surveys

NHS Manchester and University Hospital South Manchester

  • Research into infection control and increasing vaccination uptake
  • Respiratory research programme

Department of Health/Cancer Research UK and Macmillan (via Christie NHS Trust)

  • A community and workplace initiative to increase awareness of the early signs and symptoms of breast, bowel, lung and other common cancers
  • Promote the importance of early detection and healthy lifestyles in reducing risk
  • Promote continued participation in the NHS cancer screening programmes

Directorate General of Health and Consumer Affairs

  • Evaluation of the impacts of EU funded research projects

Georgia State University

  • Development of an Urban Health Index
  • Expansion of EURO-URHIS 2 into China

Global Health

  • Global Public Health Education and Development project
  • Health Impact Assessment