The economic, social and public health costs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a ticking time bomb for Europe. Policymakers must act now to prevent these devastating impacts on European health systems and economies.
There is no time to waste. The personal and economic burden of these diseases is growing rapidly, threatening the lives and health of millions of Europeans and placing further strain on Europe’s already stretched healthcare systems. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are closely related NCDs with common risk factors and underlying biological mechanisms that should be targeted with integrated prevention and control strategies. If left unchecked, the growing cost impact of these diseases threatens to overwhelm Europe’s economic prosperity.
The cost of obesity in Europe was estimated at 475 billion euros in 2020 and is projected to rise to 1,597 billion euros by 2030. Diabetes-related healthcare costs in the EU amount to around 104 billion euros per year, with diabetes-related productivity losses accounting for an additional cost of 65 billion euros per year. At the same time, the costs of cardiovascular disease are estimated at 282 billion euros per year. These figures are staggering.
NCDs in numbers
By 2025, one in four European adults will suffer from obesity, increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.[1]Around 32 million people in the EU already have type 2 diabetes, and a recent study in The Lancet predicts that number will rise to more than 55 million by 2050, tripling the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.[1]Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in the EU, killing an average of 5,000 people every day. [1]
As European institutions prepare to set priorities for their new mandate, they must seize this important opportunity to reframe their approach to NCDs on the continent in order to improve the health of their citizens. Inspired by the outgoing European Commission’s comprehensive cancer plan, the European Parliament has already called for more action on NCDs, an initiative that has rightly attracted much praise.
A similar comprehensive care approach to NCDs is essential to achieve more substantial and sustainable improvements in public health. An integrated strategy based on a multi-stakeholder approach can pave the way for a healthier Europe.
This includes recognizing the interdependence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, and developing policies that address these conditions holistically. Early diagnosis combined with timely and effective management can prevent the progression of these diseases, reduce the incidence of complications, and ultimately save downstream costs.
We must ensure that our health care system provides the right treatment to the right people at the right time.
Health systems should promote health screenings that comprehensively evaluate for signs of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These conditions are based on common risk factors that are easily assessed (high BMI, body composition, hypertension, smoking, alcohol intake, high blood sugar, high LDL cholesterol). Healthcare professionals must be equipped with the tools and training to recognize and address the connections between these conditions. A truly integrated approach would ensure comprehensive assessment and management of interrelated risk factors, treating the whole person, not just the most obvious illness. Inexpensive targeted health screenings would be a fast and cost-effective way to improve early diagnosis and improve outcomes.
Administering the most effective treatment at an early stage is crucial to reduce the risk of complications, manage complications, and ultimately avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality.
Striving for more comprehensive care can dramatically improve health outcomes and protect health budgets. Prioritizing comprehensive care for NCDs in EU health systems must be a key priority for European policymakers in the new Parliament.
With institutional support from Eli Lilly and Company
Reference: EU-CAR 2024-137
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9889729/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01301-6/fulltext
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