Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes

Background: We examined the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes in Europe. Methods: Themes relevant for comparison of screening programmes were derived from literature and used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing and public-health screening. Tests used, professions involved, age and frequency of testing seem to influence sensitivity, specificity and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists, orthoptists, otolaryngologists and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU fullmember, candidate and associate states. Answers were cross-checked. Results: Thirty-nine countries participated; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a nation-wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35 countries, in 71% more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years of age, but is usually before the age of five. At age three and four picture charts, including Lea Hyvarinen are used most, in children over four Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing screening test otoacoustic emission (OAE) is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing programmes are staged; children are referred after one to four abnormal tests. Vision screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists or nurses. Funding is mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but reporting was often not first-hand. Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1-4) and funding sources (8)

The contribution of DG SANCO's health system working party to the European health information system.

Achieving a high-level of health status for European citizens means helping the people and governments to understand how to behave appropriately in today’s environment with regards to health and to assure the provision of best possible health care services. Both goals can be reached with the help of data, information and knowledge management. The Public Health Programme is the European Commission's main instrument for implementing the EU's health strategy. The programme aims, via a number of projects it funds to improve the level of physical and mental health and well-being of EU citizens and reduce health inequalities throughout the Community. The Health Systems Working Party (HSWP) was set out in 2003 to decide, define and render operational a series of information items required to monitor Europe wide, national and sub-national developments in the field of health systems. This will enable benchmarking and performance assessment, and the exchange of information on best practices while recognizing the Member States’ own primary responsibilities for their health systems. The WP has currently over 25 projects running that can roughly be structured according to two high level topics: health systems performance, and health system organization and structure. The input of the HSWP should be seen as providing comparable, valid, timely and understandable information for health and health care decision making. All activities of the HSWP in synergy are aimed at gradually building the information system for health care in the EU in collaboration with other international organizations such as Eurostat, OECD and WHO (European Observatory). The workshop will provide a comprehensive overview, and starting point for discussion on the HSWP’s achievements so far, and its goals for the future for improving the contribution of the European Commission to the health information and knowledge system on health systems in Europe. (aut. ref.

Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes

Objective: To examine the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes in Europe. Methods: Themes for comparison of screening programmes derived from literature were used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing, and public health screening. Tests used, professions involved, age, and frequency of testing seem to influence sensitivity, specificity, and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists, orthoptists, otolaryngologists, and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU full-member, candidate, and associate states. Answers were cross-checked. Results: Thirty-nine countries participated; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a nation-wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35 countries, in 71% of these more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years of age, but is usually before age five. At age three and four, picture charts, including Lea Hyvarinen, are used most; in children over four, Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing screening test, otoacoustic emission is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory brainstem response in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing programmes are staged; children are referred after 1–4 abnormal tests. Vision screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists, or nurses. Funding is mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but reporting was often not first-hand. Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1–4), and funding sources (8). © 2015, The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav