投资于更健康、更有弹性的欧洲

Tackling the NCD Challenge from Prevention to Cure TABLEOF CONTENTS EXECUTIVESUMMARY1 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are Europe’slargest health challenge and a growing economicrisk. They account for 88–90% of all deaths inEurope. In 2023 alone, five major NCDs cost the EUan estimated €530 billion — more than 3% of EUGDP. Nearly 1 in 3 Europeans aged 50+ live withtwo or more chronic conditions (multimorbidity)— and this prevalence is rising in several Europeancountries1. Demographic ageing and workforce shortages are increasing pressure on healthsystems and public finances. By 2050 the old-age dependency ratio for the EU isforecast to increase from 34.8% in 2024 to 52.3%2. This is no longer only a public health issue — it is a macroeconomic and resiliencechallenge. Without structural reform, rising chronic disease prevalence will furtherconstrain labour participation, productivity and fiscal sustainability. Conversely, healthierlongevity can significantly moderate long-term public expenditure growth. This paper sets out a concrete, system-level roadmap built on four pillars: 1. Pivot to Prevention. Up to 60% of NCDs are preventable. Europe must scale evidence-based screeningprogrammes reduce the high burden of undiagnosed disease, and expand adultimmunisation. Earlier diagnosis dramatically improves survival and reduces treatmentcosts. Secondary prevention — including risk-factor management and treat-to-targetstrategies — can prevent avoidable hospitalisations and premature deaths. 2. Deliver a Continuum of Care. Hospital-centric models are not sustainable for chronic, multimorbid populations.Investment in strong primary care, multidisciplinary integrated care models, andstandardised patient pathways is essential. Clear outcome targets — including patient-reported outcomes — and value-based financing frameworks should replace volume-driven incentives to improve disease control and system efficiency. 3. Bring Innovation to Patients. Europe must maintain a competitive and predictable research, regulatory andintellectual property framework to incentivise investment in medicines, diagnosticsand digital health. At the same time, structural and budgetary barriers to timelyand equitable access across Member States must be addressed. Precision medicine,advanced therapies and next-generation prevention tools can significantly reduce long-term disease burden if implemented effectively. 4. Accelerate Digital Transformation. Digital health technologies, AI-enabled diagnostics, remote monitoring andinteroperable health data systems can reduce inefficiencies, improve care coordinationand alleviate workforce shortages. The implementation of the European Health DataSpace is central to enabling data-driven prevention, research and care integration. Key recommendations to tackle the NCDs burden in Europe KEY RECOMMENDATION Investing in health should be embedded in economic governance frameworks at EU and national level. Prevention and early detection,healthcare delivery reform and access to the latest innovative treatments and vaccines can generate substantial returns through reduceddownstream costs and improved productivity. Multi-year financing, increased coordination between health and finance ministries, andEU-level support mechanisms are critical to overcoming short-term budgeting cycles and enable strategic investments. Europe cannot meet its competitiveness, geopolitical and demographic challenges without addressing NCDs at scale. Incremental,disease-specific measures are insufficient. A coherent strategy — integrating prevention, care reform, innovation and digitalisation —can transform health from a cost driver into a strategic economic asset. The time to act is now, to make a healthy choice for Europe’s future. Page - 6// INTRODUCTION2 Every person in Europe will either be impactedpersonally or have a close family memberaffected by chronic and non-communicabledisease (NCD), such as cardiovascular disease,cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes andobesity or experience mental health conditionsand neurological disorders including Alzheimer’sdisease and other dementias. Thanks to decades of scientific progress, we now have more tools and knowledge thanever before to diminish the burden from these diseases. Yet rates are rising. NCDs killed 8.4 million Europeans in 2023 alone. Each year, non-communicablediseases account for 88–90% of all deaths in Europe. Most of those deaths cametoo early and could have been prevented. The average survival rate for NCDs after thediagnosis ranges from just one year for some cancers to 15+ years for cardiovasculardisease. The treatment and management of NCDs is estimated to cost the EUapproximately €530 billion in 2023 alone3. A decade ago, the European Union (EU) together with countries across the worldrecognised the urgent need for action. The UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) set a target to reduce by 2030 by one third premature mortality from non