Last update:
09-May-2025

Assessments of the population's health status in Greece are sporadic and lack the necessary continuity and periodicity for understanding the extent and changes in health issues over time. The institutional framework for funding and systematically conducting population studies is non-existent, and existing studies are mainly based on research initiatives without central coordination or prioritization. Health needs assessment in Greece must focus on two primary actions: (a) Recording the health needs of the general population at the national and local level, and (b) recording the health needs of subpopulations with distinct characteristics, such as children and vulnerable groups, for example the long-term unemployed, Roma communities, migrants and the elderly. In these actions, public health agencies must ensure regular participation and active deliberation of citizens and stakeholders. In addition to the systematic implementation of population studies, strengthening of health information recording systems is required, so that specific health indicators and vital statistics are regularly collected and analyzed, producing respective reports. Data or generated metadata should be accessible. The creation of a Unified Electronic Health Data System in Greece is urgently needed. There is a need to institutionalize an annual Population Health Report that will serve for strategic planning and prioritization of health, well-being and equity issues, whilst safeguarding transparency and accountability. In conclusion, prioritizing the creation and operation of a Unified Electronic Health Data System, institutionalizing the annual Population Health Report, and ensuring adequate resources and coordinated operations are essential for systematic population health monitoring and addressing health determinants at national, regional, and local levels in Greece.

Key words: Health determinants, Health inequities, Health needs assessment, Health surveillance, Public health.