In the Financial Telegraaf of August 10, KNMG President René Heymann was interviewed about the need for an integrated approach to prevention. With the current budget of over 110 billion euros for healthcare, of which only 2 billion euros is spent on prevention, this part is under pressure due to the proposed cuts. Heymann warns that “the prevention budget risks shrinking by 300 million euros, while more investment is needed.”
The solution to rising healthcare costs is prevention, but funding and regulations are insufficient. In the article, Professor Liesbeth van Rossum warns of the obesity epidemic in the Netherlands, which affects more than 50% of the population. This leads to serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Despite initiatives such as the National Prevention Agreement, the goals have not been achieved. Jochen Meerow sees a pattern of ineffective prevention projects since the 1980s, with reports continuing to confirm the widening health gap.
The need for legislation
Stricter legislation and regulations are needed to make the living environment healthier, several experts say in the article. In addition, the Netherlands should move towards health in all policies, says Heyman, head of KNMG. “This means that all policies that are put in place take into account the consequences for people’s health.”
Preventive measures
Heymann and other experts are calling for measures such as a sugar tax, healthier school cafeterias and bans on advertising for unhealthy foods. “Health care has only 11 percent of an individual’s health, while lifestyle and environmental factors together account for 67 percent,” Heymann explains.
Future perspective
The government must dare to make choices to protect public health. This requires vision and perseverance. KNMG therefore insists on a long-term policy with legally established health goals and effective lifestyle measures. Appointing a government health commissioner and integrating health into all policy-making processes are crucial steps in this regard.
