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

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Lower life expectancy more preventable mortality

Preventable Mortality - Males 2000-2002

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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

Thank You!