The first phase of the HIS/HES project was carried out in 1999–2001. The aims were to develop a database of European health surveys, to review the literature and experiences on health surveys in Europe, and to create a European network for development and testing of HIS/HES and HES methodologies. The institute responsible for the HIS part was Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and The National Public Health Institute of Finland (KTL) was responsible for the HES part. In addition to CBS and KTL, a core group was established to guide the project.

The second phase of the project was carried out in 2001–2003. The aims were to evaluate and recommend methods for health surveys and for future field testing and development, to maintain, update and develop the database and to develop a system for dissemination of the database. The project was implemented by IPH and KTL. The core group included members from seven Member States, and the HIS and HIS/HES networks comprised all EU Member States. In 2003–2004 Eurostat funded the inclusion of health surveys carried out in the EU Candidate Countries.

The EUHSID project is continuing the work of the previous projects and run by IPH and THL (former KTL). During 2005–2008, EUHSID continued developing and updating the HIS/HES database, refining the coding of the instruments and the search capacities of the database, documenting the recommendations of new standardised instruments, analysing the content of the questionnaires and examination protocols used in population health surveys and enhancing the dissemination of the database.

The ongoing phase of EUHSID covers the years 2009–2010. Developing and updating the HIS/HES database is still the primary task. The other main aims include providing a practical tool for the development of methods for the European Health Survey System (EHSS), as well as for comparison and interpretation of the survey findings. Moreover, EUHSID aims to disseminate the information and to stimulate the cooperation and sharing of experience in health survey methodology and instruments between EU Member States, Candidate Countries and EFTA-EEA countries, community bodies as well as international organisations.