Putting economic policy in service of “health for all”

Abstract

The design of economies is too important to leave to economists

Children’s Health in Care in Scotland (CHiCS): Main findings from population-wide research

“…23 Similar calls have been made by the World Health Organization and public health researchers. 24 A wellbeing economy highlights the need for putting people at the centre of policy instead of focusing primarily on economic growth. It is an economic growth model that is equitable and sustainable from the outset.…”

The Geneva Charter—Realising the potential of a well‐being society

“…4 The Charter rallies and aligns the health sector with the broader movement towards doughnut economics-a model framing the challenge of social and planetary boundaries, sustainable development and advancing a well-being economy. 5,6 It calls for 'bold policies and transformative approaches' underpinned by well-being foundations familiar to the health promotion community but reinvigorated by the new economics and Club of Rome 7 thinking, including a broad view of health and concepts of equity and empowerment. The Charter is also consistent with the five key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UN, 2015): to promote societal well-being: human security (peace) and societal development-a core component of which is equity (people); economic development (prosperity); ecological sustainability (planet) and synergistic partnerships (partnerships).…”

“…Health promotion actors need to be engaged in advocacy and action around climate change and environmental determinants for better well-being for all. 17 Evelyne de Leeuw 6 James A. Smith 7 Michele Herriot 8 Carmel Williams 9 1 Health Promotion, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland…”

The lazy language of ‘lifestyles’

“…However, such approaches must be situated in the broader context where social, cultural, economic, environmental, ecological and commercial drivers shape health behaviours. The growing emphasis on well‐being economies, 23 place‐based approaches, 24 cultural responsiveness and trauma‐informed care, 25 and the application of systems thinking 26 all hold promise for a more nuanced understanding of, and action on, public health improvement at local, national and global levels.…”