The European Community's research projects in the field of health services

Collaboration within the European Community (EC) over health problems and their possible solutions has progressed significantly during the past decade. The pursuit of appropriate choices among a variety of issues has resulted in a growing demand for comparable health data. EC efforts to coordinate the health services research of the member states in the fourth Medical and Health Research Program (1987-91) are discussed. Its contribution to the development of information relevant to the EC's health needs as well as financing, policies, and practices is outlined.