The care of chronic wounds should become a strategic priority for European health policies, according to the latest white paper published by the Wound Care Sector Group of MedTech Europe. The document highlights how chronic wounds are still underestimated despite their growing impact on patients, healthcare professionals, and national healthcare systems across Europe.
Today, approximately 1–2% of the population in high-income countries (around 7 to 14 million people) are affected by chronic wounds, a condition that is often complex and difficult to manage. Diabetic foot ulcers represent one of the most critical examples, with studies showing that they can lead to a five-year mortality rate comparable to that of some forms of cancer. Beyond the clinical implications, the economic burden is also significant, with wound care estimated to account for nearly 4% of total healthcare expenditure.
According to MedTech Europe, chronic wounds should not simply be considered an inevitable long-term condition. The white paper argues that no wound is inherently “chronic”; rather, chronicity is frequently the consequence of insufficient prevention, delayed diagnosis, fragmented care pathways, and limited access to integrated treatment approaches.
A more integrated and patient-centred approach
One of the key messages emerging from the paper is the need for a holistic and evidence-based approach to wound management. MedTech Europe stresses that improving outcomes requires stronger integration of chronic wound care into both European and national healthcare strategies.
This means moving beyond isolated interventions and creating coordinated care pathways capable of supporting patients throughout the entire treatment process. Early intervention, continuity of care, and collaboration between healthcare professionals are identified as essential elements to reduce complications and improve quality of life.
The organisation also underlines the importance of multidisciplinary teams involving clinicians, nurses, specialists, and community healthcare providers. Standardised education and training programmes are considered equally important to ensure more consistent clinical practices and improve treatment efficiency across different healthcare settings.
Digital tools and data-driven decision-making
Another area highlighted in the white paper concerns the growing role of digital technologies in wound care management. According to MedTech Europe, digital tools can support earlier diagnosis, remote monitoring, and more accurate assessment of wound progression, helping healthcare professionals optimise treatment decisions. The document also calls for broader adoption of real-world evidence and data-driven approaches to better inform policy and reimbursement decisions. In parallel, value-based procurement models are seen as an opportunity to encourage innovation while ensuring sustainable healthcare spending.
Among the recommendations included in the paper are also the alignment of reimbursement systems with patients’ needs and income levels, as well as greater investment in prevention programmes capable of reducing the incidence and severity of chronic wounds over time. Overall, MedTech Europe’s position is clear: addressing chronic wounds more effectively will require a systemic transformation involving policy makers, healthcare providers, industry stakeholders, and patients themselves.
