Report on preventing ill health launches

Friday February 28th, 2020

Failure to invest in ill health prevention could cost governments of better-off countries more than £500bn a year, a new report claims today.

Never Too Late, a report for global health policymakers, states that healthcare systems have a responsibility to ensure the prevention of poor health is a priority.

It reveals that in 2017 alone, among countries classed as better off – those in the high or high-mid socio-demographic index – 27.1 million years were lived with disability due to largely preventable age-related diseases.

Among those aged 50-64, these preventable illnesses cost better-off countries £532 billion ($692 billion) in sick days, presenteeism and early retirement a year.

The report, produced by the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC), the specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society, also warns the consequences for governments failing to prioritise preventative health interventions right across the life course could be a 17% increase in years lived in poor health over the next 25 years.

It says that although governments across the world continue to state their commitment to preventing ill health across the life course, these preventative services are often the first to be cut in times of crisis and are represent about 2-4% of total health spend across OECD countries.

It calls on governments to follow through their commitments and undertake measures to prevent ill-health, such as: democratising access to preventative interventions; promoting good health and preventing ill health through engagement with communities, professionals and policymakers; and using technology to deliver preventative interventions.

Baroness Sally Greengross, ILC chief executive, said: “We know that preventative health works and that the economic and social costs of failing to act are huge. And whilst Governments across the world have increasingly recognised the costs of failing to invest in prevention, too often these services are the first to be cut at times of financial squeeze.

“In an ageing world this needs to change. We need to ensure that preventative health initiatives are focused on all ages. It’s never too late to prevent ill health.”

Dr Naoko Yamamoto, the World Health Organisation’s assistant director-general for universal health coverage and healthier populations, said most health problems that older people have are associated with chronic diseases, many of which can be prevented or delayed by engaging in healthy lifestyles.

“Prevention is primordial but we also need to detect physical and mental health problems early, manage them effectively through person centred and integrated care and make sure that people with chronic conditions and significant limitations in mental and physical capacity live in accessible and supportive environments that enable them to continue to get where they need to go and do what they need to do,” he added.

Representatives of the World Health Organisation; OECD, World Economic Forum; the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP); and the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister’s Office will join other UK and global health policymakers in London today (28 February 2020) for the launch of the report.

Tags: General Health | UK News | World Health

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