Realities of Health For All by the year 2000.

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• International Health Cooperation

Background:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) European Region launched a Health For All Strategy in 1980.
• This marked the first time WHO Member States endorsed a common health policy and agreed to progress monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the progress of European Member States towards the Regional Health For All goal.
• To analyze progress within the context of six fundamental principles: equity, health promotion, community involvement, multisectoral participation, primary health care, and international cooperation.

Main Methods:

• Review of Member State progress towards the European Health For All Strategy's 38 Regional Targets.
• Analysis of progress in relation to the six core principles of the Health For All concept.

Main Results:

• Member States' commitment to the Health For All Strategy has been inconsistent, resulting in only moderate success.
• Limited progress has been made towards achieving the 38 Regional Targets.

Conclusions:

• Progress has been hindered by changing political and economic factors, resource limitations, and a significant lack of political will.
• Sustained commitment and stronger political will are crucial for achieving Health For All goals in the WHO European Region.