Countries across East Asia and the Pacific face rising pressure from chronic, noncommunicable diseases that threaten to strain health systems and slow income growth, according to a new World Bank report.

The report, A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in EAP, says urgent reforms to primary health care systems could help the region manage the growing burden of chronic disease while supporting long-term economic growth.

The economic benefits are significant. The report estimates that every $1 invested in strong primary health care can generate up to $16 in economic returns through improved health outcomes, higher productivity and job creation.

“Strong primary health care systems do more than safeguard well-being. Healthier people learn more, work more productively, and save and invest more—benefits that help countries expand opportunity, build human capital, create jobs, and drive inclusive prosperity,” said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank vice president for East Asia and the Pacific.

“EAP represents a significant contribution to the World Bank’s goal to deliver quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030. Reforming primary health care to address the region’s most pressing health challenges will be crucial to help reach that goal,” Jaramillo added.

Over the past 30 years, countries in the region have made substantial health gains. The under-5 mortality rate fell from 57 deaths per 1,000 live births to 15, while life expectancy increased from 68 to 77 years. Despite those gains, people in the region spend nearly a decade in poor health.

An aging population, rapid urbanization, and unhealthy lifestyles are driving a surge in noncommunicable diseases, particularly among working-age adults. The trend is cutting into productivity and pushing up health care costs.

The report identifies prevention as the most effective response. Primary health care services—including screening, early detection and treatment—play a central role in preventing and managing chronic diseases and reducing the need for hospital care. However, many health systems in the region remain focused on treatment rather than prevention.

Low awareness of chronic disease risks and concerns about the quality of primary care have also discouraged people from using community-level services. Many patients either skip care altogether or seek treatment directly at hospitals, contributing to delayed diagnoses and underuse of preventive services.

“Improved primary health care is critical for sustained growth in East Asia and the Pacific,” said Aaditya Mattoo, the World Bank’s chief economist for East Asia and the Pacific. “By investing in prevention, embracing innovation, and strengthening community-level health services, EAP countries create new opportunities for economic progress and improve the quality of life across the region.”

The report calls for reforms tailored to each country’s fiscal capacity, technical readiness, and political context. It outlines four priorities: equip primary care providers with the tools and skills to manage chronic diseases; improve quality by monitoring performance and rewarding strong outcomes; ensure services are affordable, particularly for low-income populations; and promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging preventive care and informed health choices.

Stay updated—follow Philippines Today on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube for more stories.