Information about the links between environmental conditions and public health is crucial for policy-making on health and environment. In many European countries, methods and standards to assess the impact of environmental hazards on human health still need to be established or improved. Internationally comparable data are needed as a basis for European policies and strategies.

WHO/Europe established and runs ENHIS, a harmonized and evidence-based information system on environment and health to support public health and environmental policies in Europe. The system, released in 2007 and updated at the end of 2009, enables users:

• to use scientific information on public health and the environmental conditions in countries;
• to monitor the health and environment trends in countries and evaluate the effectiveness of relevant policies;
• to make comparisons of countries' progress towards the targets set in the Europe-wide action programmes;
• to exchange knowledge and good practices to benefit public health and the environment.

To expand the system and establish a comprehensive Europe-wide database, WHO/Europe also assists countries in building their capacity to operate and upgrade existing national monitoring systems, and fosters participation in international networks to better integrate health aspects in other policy areas.

Key partners

WHO/Europe combined dispersed results, experiences and analyses into the ENHIS comprehensive and practical framework through a series of projects, implemented in collaboration with several Member States, the European Commission (DG SANCO) and the European Environment Agency.