Chronic diseases in Europe account for 86% of deaths and 77% of disease burden, that impact on functional status and create a tremendous challenge on national economies. Ageing is a main driver of incident chronic diseases, which again trigger physical and mental vulnerability and morbidity.
"European living and working environments are obesogenic. They inherently pose disease risks by promoting physical immobility and unhealthy food choices."
This calls for investment in innovative products and services that promote healthy living and active ageing by making impact on the health of citizens, the healthcare experience and satisfaction of the individual patient and the sustainability of healthcare. This also calls for a paradigm change in incentivising the provision of healthcare services - from pay for services to pay for performance. Inter alia, implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being, quality education and partnering will be of key for achieving sustainability in the provision of high quality healthcare in Europe and globally.
Why diabetes could serve as a pardadigm case for rewarding innovation in value-based healthcare was recently investigated by Prof. Freimut Schliess who is Profils' Director Science & Innovation. In a recent publication he highlights the special significance of diabetes for innovators in the health sector - given that most important risk factors are highly modifyable, pathogenetic transitions are potentially reversible, and self-management plays an outstanding role in diabetes care. He also highlights the opportunities created by collaborative public-private partnerships such as the European EIT Health Knowledge and Innovation Community.
The full article is accessible here.