The report, The shift to prevention: Realising the socio-economic potential, found increasing prevention spend from current 6% to 10% could lead to £42bn of savings to the UK healthcare system in 10 years and a 7% reduction in preventable deaths could save over 5,400 lives annually, with a societal value of £6bn.
Elizabeth Hampson, partner at Deloitte and report author, said: ‘Preventable ill-health is a tragedy for thousands of families. With over 75,000 deaths in England each year attributable to preventable conditions, and healthy life expectancy stagnating at just under 62 years, our analysis shows that prevention isn't just about saving lives, it's about building a more productive and resilient nation.'
The report said mental health initiatives by employers could also help return £4.70 for every £1 spent through reduced absenteeism and higher productivity.
It estimated that every £1 invested in early-life prevention, such as maternal health, oral health, diet, exercise, and vaccination, could yield a £13.50 return. For later-life interventions, such as frailty, loneliness, and respiratory disease, these could return £5.30 for every £1.
The report found a key barrier to increased investment was the short-term nature of current appraisal methods with interventions often evaluated over periods far shorter than their actual impact.
The analysis found childhood interventions, which impact outcomes for 70-80 years, were typically appraised over only 20-25 years, missing the full payoff in education, earnings, long-term health and care needs. Studies of working-age interventions, often employer-led, frequently measured returns over only 1-2 years and tended to focus on productivity, without considering wider impacts, the report added.
Head of policy and practice at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Joseph Brunwin, said: ‘The report shows what we've known for years: prevention works. It's better for the nation's health and the nation's wealth.
‘The unique focus of occupational therapists on both physical and mental health to deliver practical, person-centred solutions helps prevent hospital admissions, supports recovery and enables people to do the activities – or occupations – they want and need to do.
‘By involving occupational therapists early and ensuring they're providing the right support at the right time, people will stay well for longer, avoid crises and remain connected to the activities that matter most to them. Investing in occupational therapists could help to save money and ease pressure on other services in the longer term.
‘Embedding occupational therapy across communities, from GP practices to schools, is essential for a proactive, sustainable health and care system. Early intervention is both cost-effective and has the potential to transform lives.'
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘By tackling the biggest drivers of poor health, we are building a healthier nation - which means less pressure on our NHS, a stronger economy and a happier society.
‘Our Tobacco and Vapes Bill will create the first UK smoke-free generation, and we are restricting junk food advertising, limiting schoolchildren's access to fast food and extending the soft drinks levy to more high-sugar drinks.
‘We are also banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s and working with industry leaders to accelerate the availability of obesity medicines.'
