Community health observatory of Navarre: Implementation and first experiences

Abstract

Background: The Community Health Observatory of Navarre (Observatorio de Salud Comunitaria de Navarra) was created in 2016 to study health determinants, results and inequalities. The objective of this article was to describe the methodology and the process followed to launch it, and to analyse the variation of the selected indicators among Basic Health Zones. Methods: The observatory configuration was specified and the selected indicators and their variation among zones were described. Results: During the period under consideration, the observatory interacted with many institutions, some of them provide information and others receive it. One of the main outcomes was the Profile Reports by Basic Health Zone, which included a selection of 21 indicators by zone related to socio-demographic factors, lifestyles, morbidity, Health System and mortality. The coefficients of variation among zones ranged between 0.01 and 0.7, showing the socio-demographic factors the greatest variation. Conclusions: This project, in line with other observatories, sets a system of comparison with health determinants and results in small areas. The selected indicators capture variation among zones, generating specific pictures. This is the starting point for future interventions in coordination with Primary Health Care, social agents and health assets.