Health

A new report published by Eurofound casts light on the issue of depression among young people in Europe. 

From Serbia to Spain – by way of Italy – vaccination has become a subject of heated debate. Given the complexity of the issue, however, the debate is only harmed by distorted, overly simplistic use of data.

The number of fatal accidents in the European Union is steadily decreasing, with the exception of Malta. However, the data shows a high degree of variation: while in Romania, 98 victims die on roads for every million inhabitants, in Sweden, that rate is only 25.

The 16 coal power plants in the western Balkans cause as much pollution as the 250 plants active within the European Union. The health impact is severe, and not just within the region.

The improper use of antibiotics for animals contributes to the emergence of resistant bacteria. While their use in the EU is declining, this phenomenon remains a threat to human health.

If the EU is serious about the environment, it can no longer ignore the connection between animal farming and carbon emissions. No wonder a growing number of Europeans are turning vegetarians or even vegans.

European healthcare systems are increasingly dealing with new bacteria which resist traditional antibiotics. The situation threatens quality standards and budgets across Europe.

Each year 500 000 Europeans die prematurely as a result of air pollution. Road transport alone causes 18 percent of air pollution.

The vast majority of member states have immunization rates below recommended WHO levels. Religion could be playing a decisive role. 

One European in six experience mental health problems, and this comes at a cost. On average, mental illness costs EU countries more than 4% of GDP.