Health in central Europe

Some of the 11 central European countries enjoy today a high level of health, among the highest life expectancies worldwide and, concomitantly, low or intermediate risk factor levels for some of the major chronic diseases. However, on a regional level, and particularly according to social groups, important differences in risk, morbidity and mortality still remain. Perhaps the most dramatic differences now found relate to east-west differences within Europe. This paper addresses these issues drawing upon examples such as cancer of the colon and coronary heart disease.