With a growing older population and an overall increase in chronic diseases, Europe is faced with a new kind of health problem.
It is one of slow-progressing irreversible illnesses, such as diabetes, respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases.
Over one third of the European population above the age of 15 have a chronic disease and two out of three people reaching retirement age will have at least two chronic conditions, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The number is expected to grow, leading to rising health care costs, lost productivity, and lower quality of life for the patients.
Between 70 to 80 percent of healthcare budgets across the EU are currently spent on treating chronic diseases, according to the European Commission.
And of healthcare budgets in general, 97 percent are spent on treating patients both with acute and chronic conditions.
Only 3 percent is spent on prevention, with chronic diseases being among the most preventable illnesses.
Read more: EUobserver / Chronic diseases: forcing change in EU healthcare management
It is one of slow-progressing irreversible illnesses, such as diabetes, respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases.
Over one third of the European population above the age of 15 have a chronic disease and two out of three people reaching retirement age will have at least two chronic conditions, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The number is expected to grow, leading to rising health care costs, lost productivity, and lower quality of life for the patients.
Between 70 to 80 percent of healthcare budgets across the EU are currently spent on treating chronic diseases, according to the European Commission.
And of healthcare budgets in general, 97 percent are spent on treating patients both with acute and chronic conditions.
Only 3 percent is spent on prevention, with chronic diseases being among the most preventable illnesses.
Read more: EUobserver / Chronic diseases: forcing change in EU healthcare management
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