Does Better Health Lead to Bett... ( COPENHAGEN and TALLINN June 23 /-...)

Does Better Health Lead to Better Wealth?

Date:6/23/2008

COPENHAGEN and TALLINN, June 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- European Health Ministers Meet to Focus on Link Between Health and Economic Success. New Charter on Health Systems Expected to be Signed

It has long been accepted that greater wealth allows people to make better health choices, but does the reverse apply? Does greater health lead to greater wealth, both on a personal and a national level?

This week (25-27 June), ministers of health, international experts, and over 500 delegates from the 53 countries (1) of the WHO European Region will meet in Tallinn - at the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Health Systems: "Health Systems, Health and Wealth" - to discuss a new paradigm for health systems. They will examine the existing evidence on the relationship between health and wealth.

Studies in the WHO European Region show that rises in life expectancy are clearly matched by improvements in economic performance. Between 1970 and 2003 in the western part of the Region, increases in life expectancy were "worth" 29-38% of gross domestic product (GDP) and far exceeded each country's health expenditures. In the eastern part of the Region, the relationship is even clearer: between 1990 and 2003, countries that experienced a reduction in life expectancy incurred welfare losses of 16-31%, while those that saw life expectancy rise realized benefits of 12-31% of GDP.

A German study, covering 1995-2005, found that a 10% increase in health satisfaction enhanced women's hourly wages by about 0.14-0.47% and men's by about 0.09-0.88%. A 2006 survey of 26 affluent countries, covering 1960-2000, found that a 10% reduction in cardiovascular mortality was associated with a one percentage point increase in the annual growth of per capita income. In a recent study of the Russian Federation, good health (compared to less good health) was found to increase wages by 22% for women and 18% for men.

Three reports on how ill health can be an economi
'/>"/>

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Nocturnal Dialysis: A Better Way to Kidney Health
2. Elekta Launches Web-based Virtual Clinic, Offers Better Understanding of Radiotherapy Solutions for the Treatment of Cancer
3. New STAY ON TRACK for Better Prostate Health Program Launches Fathers Day Weekend at NASCAR Race
4. Better Sleepers Are Successful Agers
5. Morningness a predictor of better grades in college
6. Mayo Clinic: Heart patients fare better in 3-year program
7. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Forum Examines Cutting-Edge Medical Care That Better Meets Patients Needs
8. Scientist study bacterial communities inside us to better understand health and disease
9. Panel Calls for Better Diabetes Screening
10. Stronger Health Systems and Better Maternal Health Critical to African Development, Japan Summit Affirms
11. Ibuprofen No Better at Reducing Alzheimers Risk

Post Your Comments:

Does Better Health Lead to Bett...( COPENHAGEN and TALLINN June 23 /-...),Health