Chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent and are significantly impacting healthcare costs, according to research by the Independent Health Insurers, who are advocating for investments in prevention.
The study reveals that over a quarter of the health insurer’s members suffer from one or more chronic diseases, accounting for 69.5% of compulsory health insurance expenses.
Conditions such as depression, high blood pressure, or diabetes lead to moderate increases in healthcare costs, but these can escalate quickly if an individual has multiple conditions simultaneously. Rare diseases, in particular, result in significantly higher costs.
Some chronic conditions can potentially be avoided through healthier living. Hence, the Independent Health Insurers are calling for preventive measures.
“Belgians still score insufficiently on the four main parameters of a healthy lifestyle: alcohol consumption, smoking, healthy eating, and adequate exercise,” the study reports.
For instance, 15.4% of Belgians smoke daily, they consume more alcohol than the average in other OECD countries, and they engage in binge drinking more frequently. Furthermore, only 29% meet the recommended 150 minutes of intensive physical activity per week, and just 15% of adults eat enough vegetables or fruit.
