Addressing public health and health system challenges in Greece: reform priorities in a changing landscape

Abstract

Health systems are under growing pressure from ageing populations, chronic diseases, and financial constraints, compounded by challenges, such as COVID-19 and climate change. In Greece, these pressures have converged in the past 15 years, exposing structural weaknesses and testing the health system's resilience. Despite successive reforms targeting funding, care delivery, and public health, persistent structural weaknesses, poor planning, and limited monitoring have undermined progress. Most policy responses have remained fragmented and are unable to fulfil their potential to address current public health challenges or prepare for future crises. Building health system sustainability and resilience requires more than enacting reforms. The reform process demands evidence-informed policy making, sustained political commitment, strong institutional capacity, and effective multisectoral coordination. Greece offers valuable lessons for countries facing similar pressures: resilience depends not only on policy adoption, but also on the institutions, resources, and accountability mechanisms that support implementation and translate policies into sustained action.