Pooling health surveys on determinants related to non-communicable diseases within the JA PreventNCD

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are proven to cause high burdens of morbidity and mortality in Europe, challenging public health services and monitoring systems. Within the European Joint Action PreventNCD, a pilot action on pooling health surveys aims at enhancing capacity in Member States for analysing and comparing data related to NCD.

Methods

The pilot action tested methodological approaches for pooling and harmonising health survey data across Finland, Estonia, Germany, Iceland and Italy. Participants selected sources with adequate representativeness, reliability and time frame, to assess harmonization potential and apply strategies to relevant NCD risk factor domains and variables. Feasibility study covered comparing variable distributions, identifying differences in system design and data definitions, and testing both centralised and federated analytical options under regulatory constraints.

Results

Preliminary findings indicate substantial differences in population surveillance systems as per data accessibility, survey design and operational definitions across countries. Harmonization potential has been assessed on key NCD risk factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity) and other domains including socioeconomic context and health service use, alongside key outcomes such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Pooling health surveys requires hybrid analytical approaches: half of the partners can exchange datasets for centralised analysis, while the others rely on federated methods. For example, the Italian surveillances PASSI and PASSI d’Argento leverage for exploiting survey modules, integrating regional/local data, and further targeting vulnerable groups.

Conclusions

The pilot shows that cross‑country harmonisation of population‑based data is feasible but requires careful alignment of definitions, metadata standards and quality procedures, alongside solutions to ethical and legal constraints.

Key messages

• Harmonised monitoring can improve evidence comparability, support targeted prevention strategies and strengthen decision‑making across Europe.

• Pooling diverse national health surveys shows practical ways to overcome heterogeneity and boost Europe’s capacity to monitor and prevent non communicable diseases.