The EU Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway

Abstract

interests are common challenges that can hamper action by policy makers in the field of public health. To support them, the European Commission has created the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway. It is a reference point for independent and reliable information to assist policy making; it summarises both the data and knowledge needed to support prioritisation of public health policies and justify investments in health promotion. Results: The Knowledge Gateway currently covers the areas of nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, marketing of foods and beverages, and related societal impacts such as disease burden and health inequalities. These topics have been prioritised by Member States representatives and policy makers. The content is organised into concise, well-structured briefs which include definition of each issue, health related effects, and examples of policy recommendations and implemented policies. The high-quality source documents are selected in a tiered approach and are mainly authored or endorsed by authoritative public health organisations. Lessons: Judging by the positive feedback received, the Knowledge Gateway is being used widely across Member States and stakeholders. The content of the Knowledge Gateway will be further expanded to support other health priorities such as mental health promotion. Policy makers have a unique, trusted ''one-stop-shop'' with high quality information to support, justify and strengthen the development of public health policies and health promotion. Key messages: The use of reliable authoritative information for the development of public health policies can support the prevention of major non-communicable disease risk factors. The EU Knowledge Gateway is a unique reference point of reliable, independent information to support policy making in the area of public health. Background: Screening for social vulnerability is emphasized improve access and quality and of healthcare. In pediatrics although some specific tools exist, a global screening tool for social vulnerability and access to healthcare was missing. A Vulnerable Child Scale (VUCHIS) was developed with expert focus groups. It included short evaluation about several issues: medical follow-up, health assurance, children schooling, housing, close entourage, comorbidities, recent migration, language comprehension and food insecurity. Fifteen items were addressed in a short and easy to translate interview. The aim of this study was to validate this tool. Methods: This multicenter study was conducted in two pediatric emergency departments in France. VUCHIS questionnaire was completed by the emergency department caregiver. Another blinded interview with a social worker, expert in social vulnerabilities diagnosis, was conducted to assess the need for care in a clinic for socially vulnerable children. Clinical exam was recorded. The main criteria for this study was the clinimetric properties of VUCHIS compared to the expert caregiver opinion. Results: 480 children were included. Their mean age was 8.3 years (SD = 3.8); 264 (55.0 %) were boys. The expert evaluation identified 57 (11.9 %) children with social vulnerabilities. VUCHIS ranged from 0 to 79 (mean = 6.9; SD = 14.7). ROC curve area was 0.83 (SD = 0.04). The selected diagnostic threshold was 10. This showed sensitivity = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.56; 0.81]; specificity = 0.89; CI = [0.86; 0.92]; positive likelihood ratio = 6.60; CI = [4.77; 9.12] and negative likelihood ratio = 0.33; CI = [0.22; 0.50]. Conclusions: VUCHIS has good clinimetric qualities that will promote the screening of social vulnerability in pediatric clinical practice. Key messages: Pediatricians need global and easy-to-use tools to implement social vulnerabilities in their clinical routine, especially in emergency departments.