2.A. Round table: Well-being economy and public health: investing in prevention for prosperity, resilience and equity

Abstract Background and rationale Grounded in a global movement and solid evidence, the WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative is championing well-being economies that place health as an essential driver and beneficiary. It works with governments, health authorities, academia, and cross-sector partners to reshape economic, fiscal, and development policies towards achieving population and planetary well-being, and more inclusive, cohesive, and prosperous societies. The WHO Resolution on the Economics of health for all is a key lever providing mandate for action and investment in what matters most to people, communities, and the planet. A momentum is building to accelerate transformation, innovation and cooperation implementing international and national commitments into policies, politics, and practice. Aim, objectives and added value The round table aims to provide examples and insights into good practices of policies and investments that improve population health and well-being, enable early prevention, and reduce health inequalities. It includes deep dives into the approaches taken on national and sub-national levels in Finland, Iceland, Wales and Scotland (United Kingdom), and Utrecht Region. These countries/ regions are recognized by the WHO as champions of employing well-being economies to promote and improve health, sustainability and equity outcomes in Europe, providing inspiration for others and collaborating to advance this agenda forward. The added value is the focus on solutions, actionable strategies and concrete initiatives for investing in prevention, applying well-being economy principles and values into policies across sectors, metrics, and budgets. It will explore enablers, drivers, constraints, politics, tactics, and lessons learnt for successful decision-making, governance and financing at the cross-section of population health, social, economic and environmental outcomes towards sustainability, resilience and prosperity. Specific examples include Wales’ forward-looking legislation, policies and economics accelerating prevention and embedding social value; Finland's major social and welfare reforms to improve mental health and well-being, as well as looking at the commercial determinants of health; Iceland's success with children's well-being; Scotland's community wealth building; and Utrecht's pioneering neighbourhood project, also a WHO Healthy Cities flagship. Format The panel will start with a brief introduction to the well-being economy capitals, principles, and values; followed by deep dives into best practices from the leading nations/ regions. It will be co-chaired by EUPHA Section on Public Health Policy and Politics and the WHO Venice Office. A discussion allowing questions from the audience will focus on lessons learnt and practical solutions that can be scaled up or replicated across countries, sectors, and settings to help accelerate well-being economies with public health co-benefits across Europe and globally. Key messages • Embedding prevention outcomes into policies and investments across sectors drives prosperous and fair societies, sustainability and resilient economies. • Good public health practices and Value-Based innovations provide solutions to accelerate progress towards wellbeing economies. Speakers/Panellists Heikki Hiilamo THL, Helsinki, Finland Michiel Dijkman Economic Board Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Mariana Dyakova Public Health Wales / University of Warwick, Exeter, UK