Medical Spas and Climate Health Resorts Offer Powerful Solutions to Europe’s Growing Health Challenges

The Synthesis Report, published in December 2025, has revealed that Europe faces an urgent need to modernise its health systems to cope with rising chronic diseases, ageing populations and workforce shortages. The report highlights four critical priorities for action: prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), digital health transformation, strengthening primary care and equitable access to innovative therapies.

The European Spas Association (ESPA) welcomes the report and emphasis that medical spas, natural health resorts and climate-health destinations already provide evidence-based, cost-effective solutions to many of these challenges, yet remain underused in current health policies.

Medical Spas Are Ready to Support Europe’s NCD Crisis

The report notes that over 725,000 premature deaths from NCDs could have been prevented in 2022, and that 62 million Europeans live with cardiovascular disease. Medical spas across Europe have a long tradition of delivering preventive, rehabilitative and chronic-care programmes, particularly for:

• cardiovascular diseases 
• musculoskeletal conditions 
• respiratory disorders 
• diabetes 
• obesity 
• stress and burnout 

Natural therapeutic resources: thermal waters, peloids, clean mountain air, marine aerosols and therapeutic climates are scientifically recognised for improving vascular health, lung function, mobility, and overall well-being.

The report raises alarming trends: rising childhood obesity, physical inactivity, and increased use of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
Climate-health destinations – mountain, healing forest, forest and coastal resorts with measurable therapeutic environments – offer:

• structured physical activity 
• respiratory rehabilitation 
• stress reduction 
• long-term behavioural change 
• mobile-free and nature-rich settings for youth

ESPA’s Thalasso working group strengthens scientific standards, exchange and development of high-quality services for younger generations.

Supporting Digital Health and Workforce Capacity

The EU urges Member States to speed up digital transformation and tackle health workforce shortages. Medical spas are actively innovating in both areas, like digital physiotherapy & VR-assisted rehabilitation support therapists, and expanding accessibility.

Strengthening Primary and Chronic Care – Cost Effectively

Primary care across Europe is under strain due to ageing, chronic conditions and lack of personnel.
Medical spas and natural health resorts reduce pressure on hospitals by providing:

• non-invasive therapies 
• post-hospital rehabilitation 
• long-term disease management programmes 
• prevention-oriented lifestyle counselling

These services are cost-effective, sustainable and already integrated in many national health insurance systems. European Medical Spas Are Part of the Solution.

More from the report

The report highlights the following key health system reform challenges and the support the EU is providing to overcome them: 1. Addressing the major health concern of non-communicable diseases (NCDs): NCDs are the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the EU. In 2022, more than 725,000 deaths could have been prevented. They are increasingly affecting younger populations. Across Europe, rates of childhood inactivity and obesity are rising; more than 20% of 15-year-olds use e-cigarettes. Preventing NCD mortality in the EU would reduce the workforce decline due to an ageing population by 12% between 2022 and 2040. With around 62 million people living with cardiovascular disease in the EU, the Commission will also this year present an EU cardiovascular health plan, targeting diabetes and obesity, especially in younger generations. To address the threat of NCDs more broadly, the Commission has launched Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Healthier Together Initiative and is supporting Member States and health organisations with funding from the EU4Health Programme. 2. Strengthening the backbone of EU health care: EU primary care is facing challenges such as rising demand linked to an ageing population, chronic diseases, workforce shortages and underinvestment.

More information: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_3014