Health at a Glance: Europe 2018
State of Health in the EU Cycle
Health at a Glance: Europe 2018 presents comparative analyses of the health status of EU citizens and the performance of the health systems of the 28 EU Member States, 5 candidate countries and 3 EFTA countries. It is the first step in the State of Health in the EU cycle of knowledge brokering. This publication has two parts. Part I comprises two thematic chapters, the first focusing on the need for concerted efforts to promote better mental health, the second outlining possible strategies for reducing wasteful spending in health. In Part II, the most recent trends in key indicators of health status, risk factors and health spending are presented, together with a discussion of progress in improving the effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of European health systems.
Illicit drug consumption among adults
The use of illicit drugs remains an important public health issue in Europe. Over a quarter of adults in the European Union aged 15-64, or over 92 million people, have used illicit drugs at some point in their lives. In most cases, they have used cannabis, but some have also used cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy and other drugs (EMCDDA, 2018). The use of illicit drugs, particularly among people who use them regularly, is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, mental health problems, accidents, as well as infectious diseases such as HIV. Illicit drug use is a major cause of mortality among young adults in Europe, both directly through overdose and indirectly through drug-related diseases, accidents, violence and suicide.