Health Systems in Transition

Health systems in transition

Portugal

the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe’s European

Health for All database, data from national statistical offices, Eurostat, the

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Health

Data, data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank’s

World Development Indicators and any other relevant sources considered

useful by the authors. Data collection methods and definitions sometimes vary,

but typically are consistent within each separate review.

A standardized review has certain disadvantages because the financing

and delivery of health care differ across countries. However, it also offers

advantages, because it raises similar issues and questions. HiTs can be used to

inform policy-makers about experiences in other countries that may be relevant

to their own national situation. They can also be used to inform comparative

analysis of health systems. This series is an ongoing initiative and material is

updated at regular intervals.

Comments and suggestions for the further development and improvement

of the HiT series are most welcome and can be sent to

HiTs and HiT summaries are available on the Observatory’s web site