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Addressing the systemic challenges of underinvestment in prevention

Author

Listed:
  • Ellie Tunnicliffe
  • Sian Hodgson
  • Grace Hampson
  • Kelsey Moore
  • Charlotte Ashton-Khan
  • Graham Cookson

Abstract

Prevention of ill-health is an underexploited tool for protecting health systems and societies. It offers the potential to curb increasing demand for healthcare services, increase participation in education and the workforce, and reduce inequality. However, despite extensive evidence of the potential benefits, spending on prevention is routinely deprioritised. Underinvestment in prevention is driven by a fundamental misalignment between the characteristics of prevention and the way health systems are governed and financed. Prevention delivers benefits over long time horizons, often outside political and budgetary cycles; benefits tend to accrue across multiple sectors, while funding decisions are made within siloed budgets, and…

Suggested Citation

  • Ellie Tunnicliffe & Sian Hodgson & Grace Hampson & Kelsey Moore & Charlotte Ashton-Khan & Graham Cookson, 2026. "Addressing the systemic challenges of underinvestment in prevention," Grant-Funded Research 002535, Office of Health Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ohe:grafun:002535
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bredthauer, Carl Justus & Kuhn, Eva & Buyx, Alena, 2025. "The ethics of behaviour-based insurance models: Solidarity-based concerns in Germany's statutory health insurance," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    2. Ming-Jye Wang & Yi-Ting Lo, 2022. "Strategies for Improving the Utilization of Preventive Care Services: Application of Importance–Performance Gap Analysis Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Michael Gmeinder & David Morgan & Michael Mueller, 2017. "How much do OECD countries spend on prevention?," OECD Health Working Papers 101, OECD Publishing.
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    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health

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