Role of health and care services in improving well-being and economic performance: Perspectives from the EQLS

Good quality public services are a key element in EU debate and contribute greatly to meeting needs for health and welfare, and enabling people to participate in society and the labour market. This report highlights persistent disparities in health and care services and in the quality of these services. Improving the access to and quality of services requires that disparities be addressed, so that the ‘well-being effect’ can extend across society. Better access and quality also demand a reflection on current policy concepts of ‘unmet need’ and ‘prevention’, as well as an understanding of fairness from the service users’ point of view.