Healthcare systems around the world need to rethink how they manage chronic diseases as populations continue to age, according to Zurich Insurance Group’s latest report, The Value of Chronic Care. Based on data collected across 38 OECD countries between 2014 and 2023, the study covers more than 200 chronic conditions and examines what separates high-performing healthcare systems from those struggling to meet growing demand.
One of the report’s key findings is that healthcare spending alone does not guarantee better outcomes. Instead, countries that perform well typically have stronger care coordination, earlier interventions and greater access to preventive healthcare services. Systems originally designed to treat acute illnesses are increasingly finding it difficult to support patients living with lifelong medical conditions.
The report identifies Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway and South Korea as the top-performing countries for chronic care management. Their success is largely attributed to integrated healthcare delivery and coordinated patient support. Meanwhile, countries with fragmented healthcare systems continue to experience poorer outcomes despite having similar healthcare capacities.
As the second publication in Zurich’s The Value of Health & Wellbeing series, the report calls on governments, insurers, employers and healthcare providers to work together in shifting from treatment-focused healthcare to prevention-led care. Such an approach is expected to improve public health, boost productivity and strengthen financial resilience as chronic diseases continue to become one of the world’s greatest healthcare challenges.