EHIS

EHIS is an acronym used for several health information system initiatives. The most widely known is the European Health Interview Survey, a cross-national health survey coordinated by Eurostat and implemented by national statistical offices to collect data on health status, health determinants, and the use of health care services. The survey uses a harmonized questionnaire to enable comparability across countries and is designed to support monitoring of population health, policy evaluation, and tracking progress toward European health objectives.

In addition to the European Health Interview Survey, EHIS is also used as an abbreviation for Electronic Health Information System, a general term for digital systems that capture, store, manage, and exchange patient-level health data across care settings. Typical components include electronic health records, health information exchanges, and electronic prescribing. Benefits of such systems include improved care coordination, faster access to patient information, and enhanced clinical decision support, while challenges often involve privacy protection, data quality, and interoperability between disparate systems.

Some organizations also use EHIS to refer to Environmental Health Information System, which aggregates environmental health data (such as air and water quality, toxins, and exposure risks) for surveillance and risk assessment. Across these uses, common themes include data standardization, secure data handling, and the aim of improving health outcomes through better information management.