The rising prevalence of chronic conditions poses a major challenge to healthcare systems across Europe, driving increased demand for both inpatient and outpatient services. This article, published in the European Journal of Public Health (April 2025, Volume 35, Issue 2), examines excess healthcare utilisation and associated costs linked to chronic diseases in nine European countries. Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and a difference-in-differences methodology, the study quantifies how healthcare usage changes following a chronic condition diagnosis. The authors highlight significant variations between countries, with some showing higher outpatient visits and others more inpatient stays, reflecting differences in healthcare system organisation and disease burden.
Understanding these patterns is critical as healthcare systems face increasing pressure from demographic shifts and growing non-communicable disease prevalence. By estimating the additional healthcare use and financial burden of chronic conditions as a share of total health expenditure, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to design efficient, sustainable healthcare delivery models that can better meet rising demands.