The Impact of Under-investment on health in Southern and Central Eastern European Countries.

Evidence across the Southern and Central Eastern Èuropean Member States reveals the significant underinvestment in health and medicines and the need for policy intervention to improve access and health outcomes. Further reductions in healthcare budgets would increase unmet needs the prevalence of multimorbidity and the out-of-pocket burden on households leading to catastrophic payments for medicines and health care services. Public health actions should be undertaken by the International Organizations and National Governments to bridge the gap in health investment, by improving access, tackling health inequalities and reducing the burden of catastrophic paymants.