Comparing healthcare in 35 countries and we improve it!

The Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) monitors and compares healthcare systems among 35 countries, including all EU member states as well as Canada. Open benchmarking improves performance. Presenting our conclusions via more than 20 different health consumer indexes we provide guidance to patients and citizens, reality checks to governments and marketing opportunities to our sponsors

In 2005, the HCP launched its first Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI); one year later, with the "Act Now" campaign linked to the EHCI 2006, we started our work on providing country policy recommendations for improvement and consumers tools for empowerment. Indexes of performance in specific healthcare needs (diagnoses, illness groups, care needs) represent a new step in the process of strengthening the position of the healthcare consumer.

With patient mobility growing around Europe, there is a strong need for transparency exposing the pros and cons of the national healthcare systems. The recently introduced EU cross-border care scheme will require significantly better information to patients. The EHCI indicates that forward-looking governments start using healthcare information and choice to engage patients in the decision-making, building a pressure from below for improvement.
The EHCI ranks 33 national European health care systems across 38 indicators, covering six areas that are key to the health consumer: Patients’ rights and information, e-Health, Waiting times for treatment, Treatment outcomes, Range and reach of services provided and Access to medication. The Index is compiled from a combination of public statistics, patient polls and independent research conducted by the founders, Brussels-based think tank Health Consumer Powerhouse. The user-friendly index measurement methodology allows consumers to take on healthcare performance and illness management.

Other HCP comparisons include areas such as heart disease, diabetes, HIV-AIDS, COPD, breast cancer, renal care, vaccines, smoke cessation and patient information. In all our work the focus is on consumer empowerment and patients' rights.

HCP is a private company registered in Sweden, with offices in Stockholm, Brussels and Winnipeg. We are funded by unrestricted research grants from stakeholders and by cooperation with the European Commission.

For more information on EHCI and other publications please visit:
http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=7&Itemid=54

About the EHCI, contact:
Dr. Arne Björnberg, arne.bjornberg@healthpowerhouse.com, +46 705 84 84 51
About the Health Consumer Powerhouse, please visit www.healthpowerhouse.com or contact Ms Helena Cordasev, helena.cordasev@healthpowerhouse.com,+32 2 218 73 83.