Investing in children's health means investing in our future

Slovenia’s former health minister argues that investing in children’s health, from pregnancy through to adolescence, is among the surest ways to build a healthier and more productive society. Its record on infant survival and vaccination shows what public health can achieve but rising levels of adolescent stress and obesity mean prevention must keep evolving.

Children’s health is one of the most valuable investments a society can make. Investment in strong early-life health programmes, particularly those focused on prevention, help create healthier adults who live longer, have more fulfilling lives and contribute more actively to their communities. Prevention begins long before birth and continues throughout childhood and adolescence, laying the foundation for lifelong well-being and creating benefits that extend far beyond the health sector.

Slovenia has built a comprehensive system of maternal and child healthcare that starts during pregnancy. Today, 91% of pregnant women receive their first prenatal check-up before the 12th week of pregnancy, and 99.8% of pregnant women attend their prenatal check-ups.^[1]Antenatal care is well organised. National guidelines are updated regularly^[2] and set out clear schedules for check-ups. The most recent update, introduced in 2023, expanded population maternal screening for maternal mental-health conditions, domestic violence and risk behaviours. At the same time, Slovenia improved risk assessment for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Nuchal translucency measurement (an ultrasound scan of the back of the fetal neck) in combination with a biochemical test, known as the double hormonal test, is available to all pregnant women under Slovenia’s compulsory health insurance system and is no longer linked solely to maternal age. This reformrepresents an important step towards more equitable access to early pregnancy screening.

The results of sustained investment in prevention are evident. Slovenia ranks among the countries with the lowest infant-mortality rates in the European Union. In recent years, infant mortality has been 1.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with the EU average of 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.^[3] Infant mortality is a key indicator of the quality and accessibility of healthcare for pregnant women, newborns and children, and Slovenia's performance demonstrates the long-term benefits of consistent investment in maternal and child-health services.

Support for families extends beyond medical care. Expectant parents are offered educational programmes consisting of seven two-hour sessions covering pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery and infant care. These programmes also promote injury prevention, encourage parents to read to infants, support active parent-child engagement and protection from excessive screen exposure. Such measures recognise that child health is shaped not solely by healthcare services but also by family environments and early developmental experiences.

In recent years,^[4] increasing attention has been given to maternal mental health. Breaking the stigma surrounding postpartum depression is essential. Open discussions and routine screening during pregnancy and after birth enable early identification of difficulties and timely access to professional support when needed. Supporting maternal well-being benefits mothers as well as children's emotional, cognitive and social development.

Prevention continues throughout childhood. Slovenia’s universal vaccination programme begins in infancy and has significantly reduced the incidence of diseases such as tetanus, polio and pneumococcal infections. For example, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease decreased from 13.4 cases per 100,00 population in 2018 to 10.6 per 100,000 in 2022.^[5] Regular health check-ups continue during pre-school and school years, complemented by health education on nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, relationships, sexual health, substance abuse prevention and injury prevention. Children also learn practical life-saving skills, including first aid and the use of automated external defibrillators.

Slovenia's experience shows that sustained prevention works. The country's strong maternal care system, high uptake of preventive services, low infant mortality and successful immunisation programmes demonstrate the value of long-term investment in child health. However, prevention must always continue to evolve in response to emerging risks and changing social realities.

Despite these achievements, important challenges remain. One in three adolescents reports experiencing mental distress^[6], while one in four children aged six to fifteen is overweight or obese.^[7]Addressing mental health and obesity therefore remains a priority. Data from the 2022 Health Behaviour in School-age Children Study (HBSC study) indicate a deterioration in adolescent mental health,^[8] with as much as 59% of 15-year old girls reporting multiple health complaints more than once a week.^[9] Slovenia continues to strengthen early identification and support systems through an expanding network of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centres, now numbering 22 across the country. Additional support is provided by Health Promotion Centres (of which there are 42) and Health Education Centres (19), which provide health promotion activities and support for healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, healthy nutrition and physical activity in local communities.

Investing in children is never a finished task. As society, technology and lifestyles evolve, health programmes must continuously adapt. Yet few investments deliver greater returns. Mental health, obesity, digital harms, family support and adolescent well-being must be treated as core public-health priorities. The evidence is clear: investing in health early in life delivers lifelong benefits for individuals and society alike. Building on its strong foundations, Slovenia has an opportunity to ensure that its prevention strategies evolve to meet the numerous challenges facing today's children and tomorrow's adults.

Views or opinions expressed are those of the author and any individuals cited, and do not necessarily reflect those of Economist Enterprise or any other member of The Economist Group.