Prevention could bring Germany’s economy billions

Handelsblatt: A new study by the McKinsey Health Institute suggests that Germany could boost its GDP by approximately 250 billion euros annually by investing more in health prevention. The study estimates that implementing proven preventive measures could lead to a 35% reduction in the burden of disease and increase productive working years. Globally, the study projects a potential increase in global GDP by 7% by 2050, with 33 million fewer deaths annually and hundreds of millions of years of illness avoided.

Currently, Germany spends only about 4% of its healthcare budget on prevention, while 90% goes towards treatments. The study highlights that every euro invested in prevention could yield a return of three and a half euros. This increased focus on health prevention is gaining political traction, with discussions around potential taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar, which could not only raise revenue but also encourage healthier lifestyles.

Furthermore, a report commissioned by MKK health insurance highlights that while health is regulated in various laws, it is not a fundamental right in Germany’s Basic Law. The authors propose establishing a specific right to health to compel the state to actively promote well-being, including through prevention. Current preventive offerings are also criticized for not reaching vulnerable or hard-to-access groups effectively.

Finland is presented as a successful European model, having implemented a comprehensive prevention program in the 1970s that significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality and is now considered one of the most successful initiatives in the field.

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