TBI Executive Director for Policy Sam Sharps
said:
“Growing the economy is the only way to get out of the spiral of
high taxes and poor public services. But we will never get the
economic growth we need with nearly three million people out of
work due to ill health.
“The key to getting Britain back to work is to keep our working
age population healthy for longer. This means shifting to
preventative-health measures, made possible by advances in
screening, digital tools and early interventions.
“TBI estimates that even a 20 per cent reduction in the incidence
of six major disease categories that are keeping people out of
work – cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory
illness, diabetes and mental-health and musculoskeletal disorders
– would have significant macroeconomic benefits. A comprehensive
programme of preventative medicine could raise GDP by an
estimated 0.74 per cent within five years – an annual boost of
£19.8 billion – and by 0.98 per cent within ten years, equating
to £26.3 billion annually. Annual fiscal savings from increased
tax revenues and reduced benefit payments could amount to £10.2
billion and £13.0 billion by 2030 and 2035, respectively.
“The evidence is undeniable - shifting healthcare towards
prevention would save lives and save money.”
Further info
More details on TBI's analysis and proposals are available below:
Prosperity Through Health: The
Macroeconomic Case for Investing in Preventative Health Care in
the UK
Moving From Cure to Prevention
Could Save the NHS Billions: A Plan to Protect Britain
