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Sustainable investment in well-being and health equity – prioritising prevention

Sustainable investment involves the purposeful allocation of resources to improve health outcomes and quality of life in a way that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically viable. Investing sustainably in health and well-being is not only ethically essential, but also a strategic imperative. By prioritising prevention and health equity, we can lay the foundations for a healthier, fairer, and more resilient society that benefits both current and future generations.

A mutually supportive relationship

A mutually supportive relationship

The relationship between health and sustainable investment delivers co-benefits:  

  • Investing in health supports social, economic, and environmentally sustainable development;
  • Investing in a healthy planet and inclusive growth reinforces individual and community well-being.

A sustainable investment approach positions health and well-being as:

  • A driver of sustainability in the health sector;
  • An enabler of governance and regulatory processes that steer investment in other sectors to meet their goals and contribute to overall sustainable development and population health and well-being.

Supporting sustainable investment in well-being and health equity

Coordinated policy action on the determinants of health combined with well-designed and implemented governance approaches can play a significant role in protecting, improving, and promoting population health and well-being whilst achieving sustainable development and health equity.

The Economics and Value team works closely with a range of partners – including but not limited to, national and regional health boards, the Welsh Government, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development (Venice, Italy)to support investment in well-being and health equity through a health economics and social value lens. Our work supports Public Health Wales and its partners in delivering key international and national policies, strategies, and legislation, including:

Sharing evidence-informed recommendations to support sustainable investment in well-being and health equity

Sharing evidence-informed recommendations to support sustainable investment in well-being and health equity

Over the past decade, we have developed a diverse and innovative portfolio of products and tools to support the case for sustainable, evidence-based, and value-based investment in well-being and health equity, prioritising a preventative public health approach.

This portfolio has been shaped by a series of influential publications, including:

  • ‘Making a difference: Investing in sustainable health and well-being for the people of Wales’ (2016) – Advocated for long-term investment to prevent ill health and reduce health inequalities, focusing on three priority areas:
    • Building resilience across the life course and settings.
    • Tackling harmful behaviours and protecting health.
    • Addressing broader economic, social and environmental factors that influence health.  
  • ‘Investment for health and well-being’ (WHO, 2017) – Presented global evidence on the social return on investment of public health and population-level policies, to support the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It identified 12 key public health policies for priority investment and three key pathways where health and well-being drive sustainable investment: health and security, social and equity, and economic and innovation.
  • ‘Driving prosperity for all through investing for health and well-being’ (2019) – Provided an evidence informed guide highlighting ten key areas for policy opportunities for investment in Wales. These addressed high-cost health challenges, while delivering economic, social, and environmental benefits to support inclusive growth.
  • ‘How to make the case for sustainable investment in well-being and health equity’ (2019) – Offered a practical, step-by-step guide to help translate public health economics evidence into policy and practice. It aimed to prevent disinvestment in health, increase investment in prevention, mainstream cross-sectoral investment to address the wider determinants of health and equity.
  •  ‘Investing in a Healthier Wales’ (2025) – Built upon prior research findings to showcase value for money public health interventions across life stages. It emphasised the role of targeted investment in deprived communities and preventative approaches in reducing health inequalities in Wales.

WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) on Investment for Health and Well-Being

WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) on Investment for Health and Well-Being

The Economics and Value team is part of the Policy and International Health Directorate at Public Health Wales. In March 2018, the directorate was designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on “Investment for Health and Well-being”. The evidence-base and tools developed by the Economics and Value team played a key role in achieving this designation.

The WHO CC aims to develop, collect and share information on effective ways to invest in better health, reduce inequalities, build stronger communities and resilient systems in Wales, across Europe and globally. The centre continues to inform and promote more sustainable policies, guided by human rights principles, equity and evidence-based interventions, to address the health and well-being needs of current and future generations.

Learn more about the WHO CC.