EUROQOL | About Us

The EuroQol Group first met in 1987 in an effort to develop a standardized non-disease specific instrument to describe and valuate health-related quality of life. Since then, a process based on shared development, local experimentation and lively discussion in the Group has resulted in EQ-5D, a measure generating a single index value for health status with considerable potential for use in health care evaluation. For more information on the history of the EuroQol Group see here.
EQ-5D was initially developed simultaneously in Dutch, English, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. It is now widely used in around the world and has been translated into most major languages through a closely monitored translation process.

EQ-5D is supported by two branches, EuroQol Group Association, and the EuroQol Research Foundation.

EuroQol Group Association

The EuroQol Group is comprised of an international network of multidisciplinary researchers. Originally members came from seven centres throughout England, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Today we welcome more than 80 members worldwide.

EuroQol Research Foundation

The EuroQol Research Foundation (“Foundation”) exists to serve the public interest by supporting, instigating and performing scientific research. Our focus is on the development of instruments that describe and value health outside of the for-profit model. The Foundation is charged with governing the intellectual property rights that include, but are not limited to, EQ-5D. The Foundation’s aim is to promote the interests of the EuroQol Group Association and closely monitors the progress and use of EQ-5D throughout the world. Lastly, the Foundation funds or co-funds research in the fields related to our Mission and Vision. In financial year 2015-2016 the Foundation funded 60 scientific research studies, for a total value of more than 2,2 million euro.

(Version15DEC2016)