WHO Health Equity Target for the European region

The World Health Organisation set the following health equity target for its European region in 1998 (WHO, 1998a):

By the year 2020, the health gap between socioeconomic groups should be reduced by at least one fourth in all member states, by substantially improving the level of health of disadvantaged groups. In particular:

1. the gap in life expectancy between socioeconomic groups should be reduced by at least 25%;
2. the values for major indicators of morbidity, disability and mortality in groups across the socioeconomic gradient should be more equally distributed;
3. the socioeconomic conditions that produce adverse health effects, notably differences in income, educational achievement and access to the labour market, should be substantially improved;
4. the proportion of the population living in poverty should be greatly reduced;
5. people having special needs as the result of their health, social or economic circumstances should be protected from exclusion and given easy access to appropriate care.