The contribution of health to the economy in the European Union

Despite increasing recognition of the link between health and economic development in low-income countries, the relationship has to date received scant attention in rich countries. We argue that this lack of attention is not justifiable. While the economic argument for investing in health in rich co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public health (London) 2006-11, Vol.120 (11), p.994-1001
Main Authors: Suhrcke, Marc, McKee, Martin, Stuckler, David, Sauto Arce, Regina, Tsolova, Svetla, Mortensen, Jørgen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Developed Countries - economics
Efficiency
Empirical Research
European Union - economics
Evidence-Based Medicine
Health Behavior
Health Promotion - economics
Health Services Research
Humans
Models, Economic
Occupational Health
Public Health - economics
Social Change
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Summary:Despite increasing recognition of the link between health and economic development in low-income countries, the relationship has to date received scant attention in rich countries. We argue that this lack of attention is not justifiable. While the economic argument for investing in health in rich countries may differ in detail from that in low-income countries, there is considerable and convincing evidence that significant economic benefits can be achieved by improving health not only in poor, but also in rich countries. Better health increases labour supply and productivity and historically, health has been a major contributor to economic growth. In spite of remaining evidence gaps economic policy-makers also in developed countries should consider investing in health as one (of few) ways by which to achieve their economic objectives.
ISSN:0033-3506
1476-5616
DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2006.08.011