ABSTRACT
In the member states of the European Union, social security and healthcare systems have become important institutions. The welfare state–of which social security and healthcare represents the core and cornerstones–may even be considered to be one of the characteristics of these European states and societies. Social security policy and thinking have remained highly influenced by traditional social security definitions that begin with an enumeration of social contingencies and go on to describe which programmes and schemes have to be included under that cover. The central role which preventive action should play in social security has been revealed by Viaene by applying damage theory to social protection. The prevention of unemployment and labour market exclusion requires an understanding of the mechanisms causing it. The introduction of personalized lifestyle prevention programmes in healthcare and prevention policies triggers debates on its normative implications and fundamental questions on the legitimacy of social security.
