Health and illness know no frontiers. The sciences that investigate them are the least affected by cultural variations. The systems for delivering health care in different countries of Europe have more common features than differences, despite political and economic influences.

European medical librarians and information specialists have a great deal in common, regardless of the institution they work for or the country they live in. This realization led to the formation of EAHIL to improve library services to the health professions by cooperation and shared experience across national boundaries.