Perspectives on Europe’s health care systems: meeting future challenges through innovative health care strategies

Background: key challenges to Europe’s health care systems European countries are experiencing significant demographic, epidemiological and health care changes that will shape forthcoming health conditions and challenge the future of health systems [1]. An ageing population and the related rise in chronic disease that require long-term treatment, the costly technological advances and the patient demand driven by increased knowledge of options and higher expectations lead to rising healthcare costs. At the same time, ageing will reduce the economically active population and affect the funding and sustainability of the health and welfare systems in many countries. Spending on healthcare has risen steadily in Europe for the past two decades to an average of about 9% of GDP today [2]. Cardiovascular diseases are a major contributor to total health care costs, the annual cost to the EU is estimated to be over 192 billion Euro [3]. Health inequalities and regional differences in the supply of medical resources create additional demands on the health system and further challenges that go beyond medical problems. Ensuring a multilevel and holistic response by policy makers and by health care providers will be important in tackling these challenges. Innovative health care strategies are needed that provide an answer to growing healthcare costs by delivering greater cost-efficiency and economic productivity.