Shifting towards fiscally resilient, healthy societies: finding common ground between public health and finance sectors and central banks

ABSTRACT

This is the main background paper for the WHO European Finding Common Ground initiative, which aims to develop new modelling tools for use by central banks and ministries of finance that shape fiscal and economic policies to improve health equity and well-being, while showing the co-benefits of health and health equity for fiscal stability and economic well-being. Shared priorities have been identified as mental health and inclusion of young people, ageing, unbalanced development and gender equality. The paper demonstrates the growing interest and initiatives across central banks, finance, health and public health on common policy issues, framing the opportunities for action across these sectors. It also sets out key roles and ways of working within these sectors to enable future dialogue.