World Health Day – celebrated every year on 7 April – is an excellent opportunity for us all to think about our health. I want to see all Europeans living healthy lives with access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of where they live. Sadly, the reality is quite different.
In Europe, there are striking health inequalities both between and even inside countries. People in many of the EU’s new member countries from the East do not live as long as their western counterparts. The average life expectancy for women varies up to 8 years depending on the country. For men it is 14 years! The gap in healthy life years is even greater – for women this can be as high as 18 years. To address the issue, a Commission proposal on reducing health inequalities in the EU is due to be adopted by the end of 2009.
Today we are facing an economic crisis that could worsen the health of Europeans. In such times, protecting public health is even more important. Health is an intrinsic good, of course. But it is also an economic asset. A healthy population means a productive workforce that can continue working and contributing productively as it grows older.
The crisis hits vulnerable groups – young people, migrants, pensioners – particularly hard. We need focused health interventions to protect these people. And to ensure everyone has the information and care they need to live healthily and free of disease.
The European Commission has an important role to play – helping EU countries invest in health and use healthcare resources effectively. This is no time to cut health budgets or pass on costs to patients already struggling with lower incomes. We mustn't lose sight of the fact that our greatest wealth is our health.
