“Health at a Glance: Europe 2012,” a joint report by the OECD and the European Commission, notes a significant drop in healthcare spending per person and as a percentage of GDP in the EU in 2010. Europe has not seen such a drop since 1975.

An illustration of the severity of the social crisis, the report notes that populations in countries facing austerity policies make the least use of healthcare services. Furthermore, the overall reduction in healthcare budgets has serious consequences for preventative care.

In addition to this data, the report also notes the significant decline in preventative care within healthcare budgets. Budget cuts in this area reached 3.2% overall in 2010 alone. Governments devote an average of 3% of healthcare budgets to preventative care, despite a sharp rise in obesity- and tobacco-related deaths. Reports estimate that these two major healthcare problems accounted for 36% of deaths in Europe in 2010

 In addition to this data, the report also notes the significant decline in preventative care within healthcare budgets. Budget cuts in this area reached 3.2% overall in 2010 alone. Governments devote an average of 3% of healthcare budgets to preventative care, despite a sharp rise in obesity- and tobacco-related deaths. Reports estimate that these two major healthcare problems accounted for 36% of deaths in Europe in 2010.

Despite fears of shortages, the number of doctors per inhabitant has risen in virtually all EU Member States, coming to an average of 3.4 per 1000 residents. However, the authors of the report specify that this rise reflects a drop in the number of general practitioners. Ever-declining interest for family doctor positions has led to a continual rise in the number of specialists. The authors express concern about this phenomenon, which they claim makes basic care less accessible to the most vulnerable populations.

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The joint report of the two organizations concludes that slackening healthcare spending in nearly all EU countries could have a long-term impact on the outcome of major health indicators. European countries have not witnessed a drop in healthcare spending since 1975 and the first oil shock.