Document summary
Health expenditure is at a high level in numerous countries and is continuing to increase. Since it promotes longer-term growth and welfare, it tends to have positive effects on the economy. However, rising health expenditure can also be a sign of inefficiency and cause harm to other sectors of the economy. Since households are obliged to spend ever-increasing amounts on their healthcare, there is less of their budget left for other expenditures such as edu- cation or social security. Many economies are therefore trying to stem the growth of healthcare expenditure. From a corporate perspective, efficient healthcare systems are es- sential, as absence from work caused by illness or accidents is extremely costly for companies. The resources devoted to healthcare provision must therefore be used in the most targeted and efficient way possible. One appropriate solution to this question is prevention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles; these two issues were also the focus of the 64th global meeting of the WHO in May 2011.