From PAHO Equidad list
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The development of a strategy for tackling health inequalities in the
Netherlands

Johan P Mackenbach, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University
Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
 Karien Stronks, Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre,
University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

International Journal for Equity in Health 2004, 3:11     doi:10.1186
/1475-9276-3-11

Available online at:  http://www.equityhealthj.com/content/3/1/11

Over the past decade, the Dutch government has pursued a research-based
approach to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in health. We report on the
most recent phase in this approach: the development of a strategy to reduce
health inequalities in the Netherlands by an independent committee. In
addition, we will reflect on the way the report of this committee has
influenced health policy and practice.

A 6-year research and development program was conducted which covered a
number of different policy options and consisted of 12 intervention
studies. The study results were discussed with experts and policy makers. A
government advisory committee developed a comprehensive strategy that
intends to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life
expectancy by 25% in 2020. The strategy covers 4 different entry-points for
reducing socioeconomic inequalities in health, contains 26 specific
recommendations, and includes 11 quantitative policy targets. Further
research and development efforts are also recommended.

Although the Dutch approach has been influenced by similar efforts in other
European countries, particularly the United Kingdom and Sweden, it is
unique in terms of its emphasis on building a systematic evidence-base for
interventions and policies to reduce health inequalities. Both researchers
and policy-makers were involved in the process, and there are clear
indications that some of the recommendations are being adopted by health
policy-makers and health care practice, although more so at the local than
at the national level70;..61;

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