Healthy population the first step to a healthy economy

Europe’s leaders must prioritise the health of the population when addressing the global economic situation, according to an open letter written by the organizations which make up the EU Health Policy Forum (EUHPF).

The letter will be sent to the EU institutions and permanent representations in Brussels and calls upon national leaders to maintain the important link between “health and wealth” and to think carefully about the health impacts of any proposed financial recovery measures.

“The positive link between health and economic sustainability is clear,” the letter says.

“We are monitoring with growing concern announcements and the impacts of reduced budgets for health and social expenditure in certain EU states.”

“Short-term solutions of cutting health and social expenditure proposed in some member states are short-sighted and will damage the economic recovery prospects for Europe as a whole,” the letter adds.

The EUHPF includes members of the international collaboration on the social determinants of health, including EuroHealthNet, the European Health Management Association (EHMA) and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), as well as over 50 pan European organisations such as European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Social Insurance Platform (ESIP).

In their open letter, the EUHPF stresses the need for greater investment in health, including health promotion, as something which is widely beneficial and can help encourage economic effectiveness, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Concrete action is needed from governments to address the issue of health which is at the top of people’s concerns.

“We seek leadership from heads of European states and governments with bold and decisive action that means prioritising, protecting and providing for the health of people…it is time for each government to act strongly for health.”

Please click here to download the full text of the letter (in PDF format).