MENTAL-HEALTH EXPECTANCY - THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE - A SYNOPSIS OF RESULTS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR THE CALCULATION OF HEALTH EXPECTANCIES (EURO-REVES)

The increase in life expectancy observed over the last decade has part icular relevance for mental health conditions of old age, such as deme ntia, Although mental disorders have been estimated to be responsible for 60% of all disabilities, until recently population health indicato rs such as health expectancies have concentrated on calculating disabi lity-free life expectancy based on physical functioning. In 1994, a Eu ropean Network for the Calculation of Health Expectancies (Euro-REVES) was established, one of its aims being the development and promotion of mental health expectancies. Such indicators may have an important r ole in monitoring future changes in the mental health of populations a nd predicting service needs. This article summarizes the proceedings a nd recommendations of the first European Conference on Mental Health E xpectancy.