Health, welfare, and the state—the dangers of forgetting history

A long-term historical perspective shows how universal benefits funded by progressive taxation can both assure health and welfare and support social cohesion, with concomitant processes and behaviours likely to be important stimulants for a productive economy. Investing in universal health coverage...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lancet (British edition) 2016-12, Vol.388 (10061), p.2734-2735
Main Authors: Szreter, Simon, Kinmonth, Ann Louise, Kriznik, Natasha M, Kelly, Michael P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Economic growth
England
Government Programs - economics
Government Programs - history
Government Programs - legislation & jurisprudence
History, 17th Century
History, 18th Century
History, 19th Century
History, 20th Century
Humans
Internal Medicine
Political Systems - history
Progressive taxes
Public health
Public Health - economics
Public Health - history
Social services
Social Welfare - economics
Social Welfare - history
Social Welfare - legislation & jurisprudence
Taxation
Welfare
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Summary:A long-term historical perspective shows how universal benefits funded by progressive taxation can both assure health and welfare and support social cohesion, with concomitant processes and behaviours likely to be important stimulants for a productive economy. Investing in universal health coverage and welfare makes for national prosperity every bit as much as the increasing wealth of an economy provides the funding for enhanced health and social security.
ISSN:0140-6736
1474-547X
DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32429-1