Europeanization of health policy in post-communist European societies: Comparison of six Western Balkan countries. Issue 8 (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tresa, Eni; Czabanowska, Katarzyna; Clemens, Timo; Brand, Helmut; Babich, Suzanne M.; Bjegovic-Mikanovic, Vesna; Burazeri, Genc
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 126:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 816
• Page End: 823
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Europeanization -- Health policies -- Health system -- Post-communist -- Western Balkan; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.05.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: The Europeanization process influences the overall health policies in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans address new legislation on the basis of new acquis. The Western Balkan countries have adopted the European health insurance card. The Western Balkan countries establish healthcare regulations at local and regional levels. The Western Balkan countries reorganize their current institutions and establish new institutions. Abstract: Europeanization is assumed to influence health policy in the Western Balkans, but little is known about the actual impact of this process in these countries which constitute a complex geopolitical region of Europe. In this context, we used time trends to explore the Western Balkans health policies during the Europeanization through a cross-country comparative analysis of six countries. We conducted a health policy analysis by adapting the framework for globalization and population health coined by Huynen et al. in 2005. We analyzed 90 progress reports of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia from 2005 to 2020. In particular, we considered chapter 28 on "Consumer and health protection" and other chapters that contained the words "health" or "population health". Evidence indicates that Europeanization influences Western Balkans' policies at different levels. Western Balkan countries revise national legislation in accordance with new European Union acquis as addressed in the progress reports and build cooperation with international institutions. They build national health reforms and reorganize relevant institutions to better address regulations in accordance to Europeanization. However, it is necessary to monitor law implementation so that the current legislation is enforced and further positive impact can be measured on population health.