Smart funding approaches: strengthening CRC prevention through innovative Financial Schemes

To make colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention more effective and equitable across Europe, ONCODIR is not only developing innovative digital and analytical tools, but it is also examining how innovative financial mechanisms on public-private partnership can support the long term adoption of prevention programmes, making them affordable for citizens and patients.

Using Country Characteristics to guide better choices

Different countries have different Health system architectures, resource constraints and policy priorities. By analysing a range of innovative financing models, ONCODIR highlights how these models can help address specific challenges, from limited budgets to fragmented prevention pathways. This broader perspective helps decision makers understand not only what prevention programmes can achieve, but also how they can be funded in a sustainable, citizen centred way.

There are many and different models: among them, we can find shared risk agreements, incentive-based schemes and outcome-based mechanisms.

Through a comparative, evidence driven approach, ONCODIR matches each financing scheme with the country context where it can deliver the most value. The first step of the assessment of the schemes feasibility in a country is the analysis of the regulatory context, the politics constraints and the social features.

A structured set of indicators then enables ONCODIR to create a clear picture of each country’s readiness and capacity to absorb new financial mechanisms. This information helps identify the contexts in which certain financial models are more likely to work, ensuring that the recommended solutions are realistic, scalable and aligned with national needs.

A Practical Contribution to Stronger Health Systems

The overall benefit of this work lies in its ability to translate complex financial concepts into actionable guidance for European health authorities. By linking financing strategies with real world system characteristics, ONCODIR equips policymakers with a clearer understanding of how to invest in CRC prevention in a way that is both impactful and sustainable.

In the coming months, we will finish our analysis and present our recommendations so … STAY TUNED!

Authors: Michele Teodoro, Carmine Apice, Lorenzo Ciaschi & Domenico Di Francesco