Healthcare in the European Union, a Window for Information Society Applications


	Updated: Jun 20, 97
Healthcare in the European Union, a Window for Information Society Applications

800 000	Medical doctors
160 000	Dentists
200 000	Pharmacies
1 600 000	Nurses
3 600 000	Support professionals
	- Technicians - Administrators - Health insurances - Cleaners

Each of the 372 000 000 europeans sees a doctor on average 5 times per year

30 million persons suffer from some kind of disabilities

31% of the population is under 19 years old, 15 % over 65 and 3.5% over 80

The most significant sector of the economy: 7 to 10% of Member states GDP (more than defense or education)
Health expenditures grow quicker than GDP
A significant provider of employment: 7% of European Workforce
Very labour intensive : 70% of costs are in staff.
Very information intensive. Relies on many actors producing, sharing and exchanging information: tests results (biochemistry, hormones ... ), X-rays and other images (ultra-sound, nuclear magnetic resonance, cytology and pathology ... ), prescriptions, research results,…
Two major associated industries: pharmaceutical, medical equipment and devices.

Aging population --> more chronic and degenerative diseases.
Therapeutic and diagnostic progress --> more numbers and more complex data.
Progress in genetics --> predictive medicine appears besides curative and preventive.
Resistance and resurgence of "old" diseases (tuberculosis, malaria,...). New diseases (AIDS)
Expectations of the public in the continuation of progress in medicine.
Need of a sound economic and administrative management of resources.



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