Episodic health examination surveys: strengths and system value

Abstract Health examination surveys (HES) provide robust, objective data through standardized measurements of biological and behavioral risk factors. While resource-intensive, they are vital for understanding the true burden of NCDs, including undiagnosed conditions and trends in population health. Drawing on European experiences, including Finland's long-standing HES infrastructure, this presentation outlines the added value of conducting such surveys at regular intervals. It also discusses their limitations and sustainability challenges, and how they can complement real-world data to support policy-relevant NCD monitoring across Member States.