Data and facts on spending for prevention and health promotion, Norway’s ban on marketing unhealthy foods to children, the WHO Healthy Cities Network and the economic benefits of workplace health promotion.

97

per cent of public health expenditure is used on treating illnesses – in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, outpatient clinics, medical centres and other healthcare facilities. Just three per cent is invested in prevention and only a very small part of that sum is spent on health promotion. These figures have remained roughly the same over recent decades. At the same time, lifespan is expanding and people are suffering more from illness. And the health systems are increasingly reaching their limits both structurally and in terms of their personnel capacities (see also the interview with EuroHealthNet Director Caroline Costongs).

Source: OECD: Health at a Glance 2025

3

out of 4 Norwegians backed a ban on advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods to children in a survey by the market research and opinion polling company Norstat in 2025. In October 2025, corresponding legislation was introduced here (see also article “Norway leads the way”).

Source: Norwegian Directorate of Health

1,900

cities are members of the Healthy Cities Network of the World Health Organization in the WHO European Region alone. They are working to place greater emphasis on health promotion in urban spaces by achieving cleaner air, lower noise pollution, affordable housing, more greenery and more space for cyclists and pedestrians, for example (see also the interview with global health expert Ilona Kickbusch).

Source: WHO/Europe

1

euro invested in comprehensive workplace health promotion as set out in the Ottawa Charter generates an economic return of three euros – partly because it reduces sick leave.

Source: Österreichisches Netzwerk Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung (Austrian Workplace Health Promotion Network)