‘The Care Dividend’ urges public investment in long-term care, showing its benefits for health, economies, and households as populations age. Published by the Observatory and Cambridge University Press.
A book published by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and Cambridge University Press urges countries to prioritise long-term care (LTC) as a central component of sustainable health and economic policy. ‘The Care Dividend: Why and How Countries Should Invest in Long-Term Care’ brings together leading experts to make a compelling, evidence-based case for increased public investment in LTC systems. Edited by Jonathan Cylus, George Wharton, Ludovico Carrino, Stefania Ilinca, Manfred Huber, and Sarah Louise Barber, the book challenges the widespread underinvestment in formal care structures and offers practical guidance for reform.
As global populations age, the need for quality, accessible long-term care has never been more urgent. The authors argue that robust LTC systems free up health sector resources, protect households from catastrophic out-of-pocket payments, and enable greater workforce participation—benefiting individuals, families, and economies.
Drawing on international case studies, the publication outlines why public long-term care systems are better equipped than families alone to meet present and future care demands.
The Care Dividend is an interesting reading for policymakers, economists, and health system planners aiming to future-proof their social care frameworks.
