Europe's Silent Epidemic: MedTech Industry Demands Action on Chronic Wounds

GOTHENBURG, Sweden – March 31, 2026 – A coalition of leading medical technology firms has issued an urgent call to European policymakers, demanding action on a silent public health crisis that affects up to 14.9 million people and consumes a staggering portion of healthcare budgets: chronic wounds.

The call to action is detailed in a new white paper, Shaping the future of wound care in Europe, published by the MedTech Europe Wound Care Sector Working Group. Supported by industry leaders like Sweden-based Mölnlycke, the document paints a stark picture of a widespread, yet largely overlooked, issue and provides a comprehensive roadmap for systemic reform.

A Crisis with a Staggering Cost

Chronic wounds—such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries—are far more than a secondary medical concern. They represent a significant and growing burden on patients and healthcare systems across the continent. According to the report, the treatment of these conditions consumes up to 4% of total healthcare spending in some European nations, a figure driven by delayed diagnoses, prolonged treatments, and preventable complications.

The human cost is even more profound. Patients often endure debilitating pain, social isolation, and a severely diminished quality of life. The white paper underscores a shocking reality: some chronic wounds carry mortality rates comparable to cancer. For instance, research has shown that the five-year mortality rate for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers is on par with that of several major cancers, yet wound care rarely receives the same level of policy priority or public awareness.

The central argument of the report is that this suffering is largely preventable. As the paper states, no wound begins as chronic. It becomes chronic when opportunities for prevention, early intervention, and coordinated, evidence-based care are missed. This "clinical inertia" leads to a vicious cycle of deteriorating patient health and escalating costs for already strained health systems.

A Blueprint for Systemic Reform

Rather than simply highlighting the problem, the MedTech Europe white paper lays out a detailed blueprint for change, centered on three priority areas and four key recommendations for action. The goal is to shift from a reactive, fragmented approach to a proactive, integrated, and value-driven system.

The three proposed pillars of reform are:
1. Prevention and Patient-Centered Care: Prioritizing holistic, evidence-based strategies to stop wounds from developing or becoming chronic in the first place, while ensuring the patient's wellbeing and involvement in decision-making is at the heart of the care plan.
2. Workforce Capacity: Investing in multi-disciplinary wound care teams, standardizing training across Europe, and leveraging digital tools to equip healthcare professionals to deliver more efficient and effective treatment.
3. Policy and System-Level Coordination: Reforming reimbursement and procurement policies to reward positive patient outcomes rather than simply the volume of services delivered. This includes strengthening the use of real-world evidence to guide decision-making.

These priorities are translated into a call for coordinated action among policymakers, clinicians, and industry to make wound care a strategic priority, strengthen professional education, align reimbursement with value, and accelerate innovation.

Industry Leadership and the Path to Prevention

The MedTech industry is positioning itself as a key partner in driving this transformation. Companies like Mölnlycke, a global leader in wound care solutions, are championing the white paper's recommendations, arguing that their own business models are already aligned with its forward-looking vision.

Mölnlycke's portfolio, for example, includes advanced dressings with technologies like Safetac®, designed to minimize pain during changes and prevent further skin trauma, directly supporting the goal of patient-centered care. Furthermore, the company develops prophylactic dressings specifically engineered to prevent pressure injuries before they start, embodying the "prevention-first" ethos of the report.

This alignment between industry innovation and policy goals is seen as critical for success. By providing the tools and technologies that enable better outcomes, companies argue they can help healthcare systems transition to a value-based model, where the initial investment in a more advanced product is justified by long-term savings from fewer complications and faster healing times.

"Chronic wounds are preventable, yet patients continue to suffer because care is fragmented and intervention comes too late," said Isabella Notarangelo, Governmental Affairs and Policy Manager at Mölnlycke and Co-Vice Chair of the MedTech Europe Wound Care Sector Working Group. "By prioritising prevention, strengthening clinician training and building integrated pathways, Europe can dramatically improve outcomes and reduce avoidable burden on patients and healthcare systems. This white paper provides a clear roadmap, now it's time for policymakers to act."

The Challenge of European Policy and Implementation

The white paper's release marks the beginning of a significant advocacy effort aimed at the heart of European governance. The recommendations are targeted at key institutions, including the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and the European Parliament's health committees, as well as national health ministries across the 27 member states.

Currently, there is no single, overarching EU strategy for chronic wound care. Initiatives are fragmented, and the quality of care can vary dramatically from one country—or even one region—to another. Proponents of the new report hope it will serve as the catalyst for creating a cohesive European framework.

The path to implementation is not without its challenges. It requires securing political will, navigating complex and diverse national healthcare systems, and overcoming budgetary constraints. However, the economic argument is compelling: investing in prevention and optimized care now could yield substantial savings down the line. By framing chronic wounds as a major public health and economic issue, the MedTech industry is making a powerful case that the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of reform. The publication of this white paper is a clear signal that the industry is ready to help lead the way.