The principal objective of the project is to assist European, regional and local policymakers in developing health policy in order to reduce health inequalities. Using the results and recommendations of the project, decision makers will be able to integrate actions proven to reduce health inequalities in primary care settings at a regional level, taking into account differing regional and national situations

The elements provided, and the information gathered, will allow each volunteer region to introduce and further evaluate interventions and policies at the end of the project, e.g. through the use of EU structural funds.
Only an initiative at European level can bring about real impact in this field, rather than isolated actions of Member States. This project aims to significantly assist EU Member States and their regions to tackle health inequalities. In time, benefits and improvements to health and the reduction of health inequalities could lead to new interventions and new financing mechanisms in primary care settings.

A review of action on reducing health inequalities in primary care settings including policies at regional level will be carried out. This work will include Equity studies (Wagstaff and Van Doorslaer) and Eurothine studies (Mackenbach and Kunst). European projects, Closing the Gap and Determinate have developed an important database of good practices and innovative approaches to reducing health inequalities.
The other main method that will be used is a survey, in the form of “a qualitative questionnaire”. A qualitative semi-structured questionnaire will be developed to gather information about actions which contribute to reduce the health inequalities through the primary care settings in the regions of the E.U. The questionnaire aims to identify actions targeted at specific populations. This information will be collected in all regions of the EU. A summary of the different approaches will be produced.

• Establishing knowledge based on actions to reduce health inequality in primary care settings in EU regions
• Identification of the good practice to reduce health inequalities in primary care settings and assessment of the effectiveness of these actions.
• Exchanging of knowledge and experiences of health inequalities in primary care settings among the regions.
• Analysis of the specific population
• Newsletters and development of the website.
• Development of a document for recommendation and guidelines.
• Presentation and Dissemination of the results, in particular through a dedicated conference.