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Gender-affirming healthcare can carry significant benefits for trans people. However, there are substantial geographical inequalities in the provision of and access to trans-specific healthcare across Europe. Comparative healthcare systems research has typically focused on universal services, neglecting provision which serves specific groups within populations (e.g., trans people). This study aimed to develop a comparative typology of trans-specific healthcare systems across 28 European countries (the EU 27 plus the UK), and to examine country-level correlates which may influence or be influenced by these systems. Using hierarchical and k-means cluster analysis, countries were classified into four types based on measures of trans-specific healthcare provision, regulation and access. Possible country-level correlates (including socio-political climate, medical outcomes, and the general healthcare system) were investigated. The cluster analysis identified four clusters of trans-specific healthcare systems in Europe, characterized as: 1) Centralized conservative (highly centralized, extensive range of treatments, few trans-specific government policies); 2) Centralized reformist (highly centralized, extensive range of treatments, multiple trans-specific government policies); 3) Decentralized marketized (highly decentralized, moderate range of treatments, few trans-specific government policies); 4) Underdeveloped (highly decentralized, limited range of treatments, few or no trans-specific government policies). We found statistically significant differences between the clusters in rates of: public support for trans people; gender identity concealment; treatment access; overall health expenditure; gender inequality. The study develops a novel typology of trans-specific healthcare systems in Europe. It also identifies a range of potential drivers and outcomes of geographical divergences and inequalities in trans-specific healthcare provision. Building on this typology, future comparative research should aim to link the structure of healthcare systems to outcomes for trans people. Comparative healthcare systems research must account for the distinctive forms taken by services and systems that provide healthcare to specific groups within populations. • Develops a novel typology of trans-specific healthcare systems in Europe. • Conceptualizes four distinct types of trans-specific healthcare systems. • Investigates potential drivers and outcomes of inequalities between systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diabetes has become a challenging health priority globally. Given the tensions of financially burdened health systems in Europe the mobilisation of community resources like voluntary organisations and community groups is seen as a health policy strategy to sustain the management of long-term conditions like diabetes. However, little is known about how this is happening in practice in Europe. Objectives To explore diabetes self-management interventions undertaken or promoted by voluntary organisations and community groups in Europe; and describe the types of working relationships between these organisations, European health systems and users when implementing diabetes self-management programmes in different areas. Design A mixed method study (survey/qualitative interviews) was undertaken. This research formed part of a European project (7th Framework programme of the European Commission) exploring the link between resources, like community organisations, and peoples’ capacities to manage long-term conditions. Settings Six European countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) participated in the study. Three areas: deprived urban area, a relatively affluent urban area and a deprived rural area were purposefully selected. Participants Through a purposeful sample and bottom up strategies 749 representatives of voluntary organisations and community groups were recruited from the geographical areas above. Organisations with at least three members, existing for at least one year that could provide information or other type of support directly or indirectly relevant to patients with diabetes were included. Methods Participants completed a 15 item questionnaire for the survey (n = 749) and a voice recorded semi structured interview (n = 300). Data collection focused on the type of activities and roles developed to promote health, and relationships and communication channels between organisations, health services and users. Descriptive and comparative statistical and qualitative content analyses were used. Results Participants perceived they had better reach of people with health needs than health providers, filled the administration gaps left in their capacity to deal with basic diabetes practical needs, humanized care, and acted as mediators between services and communities. There were significant differences between countries in relation to the types of activities (p-value < 0.001), roles (p-value < 0.001) and funding sources (p-value < 0.001) of organisations concerning diabetes self-management. In non-affluent countries organisations tend to promote social activities twice more often. Conclusions Community and voluntary organisations provide complimentary and on-going support in diabetes management. This involves a shift from focusing on the illness to also longing for social cohesion, sense of community and wellbeing in diabetes health practices and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fruit and vegetable intake in children remains below recommendations in many countries. The long-term effects of early parental feeding practices on fruit and vegetable intake are not clearly established. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine whether early feeding practices influence later fruit and vegetable intake in preschool children. Design: The study used data from 4 European cohorts: the British Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), the French Etude des Déterminants pre et postnatals de la santé et du développement de l'Enfant study, the Portuguese Generation XXI Birth Cohort, and the Greek EuroPrevall study. Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed in each cohort by food-frequency questionnaire. Associations between early feeding practices, such as breastfeeding and timing of complementary feeding, and fruit and/or vegetable intake in 2-4-y-old children were tested by using logistic regressions, separately in each cohort, after adjustment for infant's age and sex and maternal age, educational level, smoking during pregnancy, and maternal fruit and vegetable intake. Results: Large differences in early feeding practices were highlighted across the 4 European cohorts with longer breastfeeding duration in the Generation XXI Birth Cohort and earlier introduction to complementary foods in ALSPAC. Longer breastfeeding duration was consistently related to higher fruit and vegetable intake in young children, whereas the associations with age of introduction to fruit and vegetable intake were weaker and less consistent across the cohorts. Mothers' fruit and vegetable intake (available in 3 of the cohorts) did not substantially attenuate the relation with breastfeeding duration. Conclusion: The concordant positive association between breastfeeding duration and fruit and vegetable intake in different cultural contexts favors an independent specific effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]