EDITORIAL
In a wellbeing economy, economic growth is not a goal in itself but rather a way to increase the wellbeing of people and the planet. The concept is gaining traction, with leaders convening in Iceland in May 2025 for the Wellbeing Economy Forum. This edition of EuroHealthNet Magazine features stories from people and organisations across Europe who are helping to make economies and societies healthier and more sustainable. However, the transition to a wellbeing economy doesn't come without hurdles and trade-offs. In her editorial, EuroHealthNet's Caroline Costongs shares her insights and considerations regarding the challenges we face and the way forward.
As we release this edition of our magazine, I am on my way to participate in the Wellbeing Economy Forum in Reykjavik, Iceland. This high-level gathering brings together leaders, practitioners, and changemakers to discuss how we can shape our economies to better support the wellbeing of people and the planet. A wellbeing economy ensures that economic growth, measured by GDP, is not a goal in itself, and that it promotes rather than harms health and wellbeing, as is too often the case today. Wellbeing economy frameworks are getting more attention at the EU and national levels, and as EuroHealthNet, we are keen to contribute to this momentum through our Partnership, our projects on social equity, the environment, and health, and through this magazine.
Still, I feel a bit uneasy. On the one hand, I find it important to meet international colleagues to inspire and learn from each other and build the vision of a wellbeing economy. On the other hand, I know that, in travelling to Iceland, I am contributing to climate change and air pollution, undermining the very rationale of my trip. Perhaps instead, I should put more effort locally to meet and exchange insights with people facing poverty and daily struggles, amongst other things.
This dilemma is just one example of the challenges of reshaping the economies we are locked into; the path is seldom friction-free and involves choices, negotiating interests, and making trade-offs.
Dilemmas in transitioning towards a wellbeing economy
There are many policy initiatives that contribute to achieving economies that generate more wellbeing and thus align with the wellbeing economy, many of which are explored in the articles in this magazine. These include environmentally sustainable and equitable healthcare systems like the one Austria is building, investments in grassroots rather than elite sports, child welfare initiatives such as those in Iceland, promoting quality sleep, gender equality policies, and fiscal strategies that seek to balance social and economic outcomes.
However, our economy has locked us into structures and behaviours that are very difficult to change. Hence, making changes isn't possible without considerable costs at both the individual as well as at societal levels. This means very few policy choices are fully win-win, and many will benefit the interests of some people, sectors, places, etc, over others. For example, well-intended policies encouraging older people to remain in their homes longer risk limiting housing availability for younger generations. Importing exotic fruits and vegetables can improve health for some, but transporting them contributes to pollution and often makes them unaffordable for low-income households. Reducing fossil fuels helps the environment, but what about the people whose livelihoods depend on them?
Are we, as the public health community, equipped to navigate these dilemmas and take a clear stance on such issues, many of which are complex and ethical in nature? It is important that we do, since they have implications for overall levels of population health as well as health inequalities and intergenerational fairness, as EuroHealthNet will highlight when we contribute to the upcoming EU Intergenerational Fairness Strategy. EuroHealthNet is developing an ethical framework to help us do so and to guide our work on the wellbeing economy. This includes how we engage with the private sector to negotiate interests to improve overall health and wellbeing, and to hold them accountable as well.
Avoiding polarisation
These dilemmas are not new to public health, but they are becoming more complex—and more visible—in public debate and social media. We must also be aware that discussions around the wellbeing economy can lead to polarisation, particularly in today’s rapidly evolving political, social, and technological contexts. People hold diverse values and principles, with extreme-right groups at the very end of the spectrum.
How strongly should we push for a paradigm shift that reflects the wellbeing economy when, for some, that sounds like we are advocating for de-growth? Or should we take a more nuanced approach? Shouldn't we focus on specific dilemmas and trade-offs, and better listen to diverse perspectives before designing our policy solutions for environmental boundaries and social foundations?
I recommend reading this edition’s interview with Dominic Watters, who shares his experience of structural inequality in housing, access to food, income, and child-rearing. His and so many others’ lived experience is too often absent from governance decisions. Highlighting such personal stories can generate more understanding to make the hard choices needed to transition to wellbeing economies.
Challenging powerful interests
No one wants an economy that exploits people, harms the environment, and damages health and wellbeing. Yet, very few are willing to bear the cost of change. The rich and powerful will defend their interests—and they are succeeding.
The European Commission has made competitiveness its Northern Star, alongside boosting the defence industry and rearming Europe. Current EU deregulation efforts aim to remove trade barriers as part of the new Single Market Strategy. Meanwhile, industry lobbying is thriving, making it harder than ever to regulate alcohol, tobacco, ultra-processed foods, and other health-harming products.
These reforms will have national implications. For example, a recent rule in France that banned short flights where train options exist was weakened. Ireland’s plan to add health warnings to alcohol labels may be next. These powerful interests will be difficult to overcome, particularly as our own resources are at risk of being reduced. Public health and wellbeing risk being further deprioritised in the EU’s upcoming long-term budget discussions for 2028–2034.
The way forward
Transforming our economies into wellbeing economies is possible—but it requires a better understanding of the dilemmas, trade-offs, and impacts of policy choices, and a careful mapping of arguments and counterarguments. We also need to mobilise the wider public, beyond the public health and wellbeing economy communities. Most Europeans support climate action, for example, but don’t trust governments to deliver. According to the Eurobarometer, 88% of Europeans say a social Europe is important to them personally, so there is a lot of potential for engagement.
By genuinely listening to people’s hopes and fears—and their concerns about changing systems for work, housing, energy use, transportation, food, and consumption—we can reduce polarisation and build support. By addressing their valid concerns about migration, vaccination, and other sensitive topics, we foster trust. By building alliances to develop a shared vision of a better future and collectively communicating and implementing it, we can challenge existing interests and inspire change. This, in turn, can generate the political will necessary to bring about economies that generate greater wellbeing. I hope you will enjoy reading the various articles in this magazine, as they all contribute to such a common vision.
In this edition
Caroline Costongs
Caroline Costongs is Director of EuroHealthNet and expert in public health and health promotion. Caroline leads a multi-disciplinary team working on European and (sub)national policy, advocacy, research and capacity building addressing health inequalities. Caroline is active in various EU and WHO fora, Advisory Boards and various EU projects, and is a member of the ICC – International Council for the European Public Health Conference.