The position paper titled "The Value of Prevention for Economic Growth and the Sustainability of Healthcare, Social, and Welfare Systems", developed by The European House - Ambrosetti in collaboration with Vaccines Europe and IFPMA highlights the urgent need to shift the healthcare model from a reactive approach—focused on treating illness—to a proactive one that promotes health and prevention.
In light of the New Economic Governance Framework (NEGF) introduced on April 30, 2024, the paper argues for recognizing preventive healthcare investments as “social security investments,” akin to those in defense and green initiatives. This shift could unlock greater flexibility in fiscal planning, enabling Member States to prioritize health prevention measures, which deliver impressive returns.
As Member States prepare their National Medium-Term Fiscal-Structural Plans by September 20, 2024, the Position Paper emphasizes the critical opportunity to embed preventive healthcare into fiscal strategies. By advocating for these changes, we can ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare, social care, and welfare systems across Europe, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of the populations amidst ongoing challenges.