Health promotion and disease prevention: key policies for
regional development
Michael Hübel
Head of Unit, Health Determinants, Directorate-General for Health and
Consumers
European Week of Regions and Cities: Prevention Workshop 7th October 2008
Health Means Wealth
Source: M. Suhrcke, M. McKee, R. Sauto Arce, S. Tsolova, J. Mortensen The contribution of health to the economy in the EU, Brussels 2005
‘The Contribution of Health to the Economy
- Higher productivity - healthy people produce more per hour worked
- Higher labour supply – plus healthy people work for longer
- Skills people in better health benefit more from training
- Capital formation if people expect to live longer and in good health they may save more
Risks of an unhealthy workforceA unhealthy population means less labour supply through:
More sick leave Fewer people
employedMore retirement
due to ill health
Germany:18 million work days lost to depression
In 2002(cost for employers € 1.59 billion)
Ireland: labour force participation
61% lower for men with
chronic diseases
Germany: 4 x more men leave labour force at earliest possible age
if ‘disabled’
Health Means Wealth Healthier citizens reduce strain on healthcare
systems – Health systems account for 9% of GDP in the EU
But also: Healthy Adults:
more likely to be in the workforce more productivework and live longer and save more for retirement
Healthy Children:better schooling outcomes and education less school absenteeism and early drop-out
a more competitive economy
Lower life expectancy- More treatable mortality
Treatable Mortality - Women 2000-2002
0
50
100
150
200
250
De
ath
s p
er 1
00
,00
0 p
op
ula
tio
n
Lower life expectancy more preventable mortality
Preventable Mortality - Males 2000-2002
0
50
100
150
200
250
De
ath
s p
er 1
00
,00
0 p
op
ula
tio
n
Rights, Discrimination, Differences in Treatment by Status, Ethnic Group etc.
Income, Working Conditions, Access to Education, Health Services
Psychological and social stress
Health Behaviour – smoking, alcohol, eating,
Disease, Injury, Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, MentalCauses
Causes of the Causes
Environmental Risks
Regions are key actors for health Health competenceAction on Determinants of HealthInvolving citizens, stakeholders, local and national government, and EU
What can regions do?LeadershipPolicy prioritySocial, environment and economic policiesHealth promotion and disease prevention emphasis on lower income and educational groupsTargeted action on marginal groupsEquitable Health care systemCooperate: good practice, share experience, capacity….
EU action
Facilitate exchange between Member StatesModels of good practice – Health Programme 2008-2013EU Health PolicyHealth in other EU policies
Policy ContextEU Health Strategy 2007
Four PrinciplesShared health values – including citizen empowerment and participationHealth is the greatest wealthHealth in all policiesStrengthening EU voice in global health
Three objectivesFostering good health in an ageing EuropeProtecting citizens from health threatsSupporting health systems and technologies
ImplementationStructured cooperation with Member StatesCooperation and partnerships with stakeholders
‘A high level of health protection in all Community policies and activities’
Health strategy 2007: ‘Healthy ageing’ across life cycleEU action across health determinants - nutrition and physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, mental health, ….Health inequalities and socio-economic issuesKey settings (schools, the workplace,…) and population groups (children, the elderly)Health to be taken into consideration across EU policy areas
Health in other policies
Regional policy – health in guidelines for use of structural fundsSocial policy – health and social protection, ESFYouth
Next steps
Further development of use of structural funds to support health in regionsOpportunities in health programmeEnhanced cooperation with MS (acknowledging regional dimension)Health inequalities communication