The vision for health and healthcare in 2035 is a comprehensive strategy that aims to address several key aspects:
- Equitable Access and Outcomes in Health and Healthcare: This aspect of the vision recognizes that health is influenced by social determinants, including where people live and work. It acknowledges that health and healthcare disparities persist, even as healthcare systems decentralize to increase access to care. Geographic and demographic disparities in healthcare access and quality still exist, with over half of the world’s population lacking access to basic health services. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored these disparities, as certain populations were disproportionately affected. Efforts are being made to empower individuals through digitalization and healthcare at home, but these solutions must be universally accessible to avoid exacerbating existing inequities. Additionally, addressing gender disparities in healthcare and research, especially in areas such as women’s health, is a priority. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve equitable access to the determinants of health, ensuring that health data represents the entire population and that individuals with equal needs achieve equal health outcomes. Eliminating health inequity is not just a societal goal; it also makes economic sense, with potential returns estimated at $350 billion. Employers are encouraged to invest in employee health and wellness programs to narrow health disparities, benefiting both their businesses and society.
- Healthcare Systems Transformation: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for resilient healthcare systems. Disruptions in global supply chains affected the provision of essential healthcare resources, leading to reductions in health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Healthcare systems need to adapt to unexpected challenges, including pandemics, economic crises, and supply chain disruptions. Transformation efforts aim to ensure high-quality care under various circumstances while minimizing the negative consequences of such disruptions. Investment in prevention, education, screening, and treatment, especially for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), is essential. The goal is to build healthcare systems that can withstand shocks, protect economies, and prevent premature deaths.
- Technology and Innovation: Health technology and innovation are pivotal in the 2035 vision. Healthcare spending continues to rise globally, and it is unsustainable. Innovative approaches in science and medicine are seen as a way to contain costs while improving patient outcomes. For example, telemedicine can reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and save costs. Chronic diseases, which contribute significantly to healthcare expenses, can be better managed through digital and AI-powered techniques. However, the adoption of technology and innovation may vary based on factors like user receptiveness, infrastructure availability, and healthcare system costs. Innovators are encouraged not only to focus on revenue but also to demonstrate how their products and services can lead to cost savings, improved efficiencies, and added value to existing treatment approaches.
- Environmental Sustainability: The healthcare industry has a significant environmental impact, contributing to carbon emissions and other environmental issues. Efforts are being made to reduce this impact by addressing emissions from medicines, equipment, and supply chains. Pharmaceutical waste and over-prescribing are also recognized as environmental concerns. Moreover, the healthcare sector needs to prepare for and mitigate the health effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, heat stress, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Achieving net-zero emissions is a priority for many countries and companies, but stronger targets and immediate actions are needed to align with global climate goals. Environmental sustainability is crucial not only for the health of the planet but also for the well-being of the global population.
In conclusion, the vision for health and healthcare in 2035 is a multifaceted approach that prioritizes equitable access and outcomes, healthcare system resilience, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability. It recognizes that achieving these goals is not only a matter of social responsibility but also a path to economic prosperity and the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. The near-term focus includes integrating environmental and social factors into healthcare metrics, while medium and longer-term goals involve reducing the impact of climate change on health and minimizing the healthcare industry’s environmental footprint.
Refrence:
Global Health and Healthcare Strategic Outlook: Shaping the future of … Available at: https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Health_and_Healthcare_Strategic_Outlook_2023.pdf (Accessed: 02 October 2023).
United Nations, Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 2015
US Department of Health and Human Services, Community Health and Economic Prosperity: Engaging Businesses as Stewards and Stakeholders – A Report of the Surgeno General, 2021.
World Health Organization, Tacking Universal Health Coverage: 2017 Global Monitoring Report, 2017.
Roberton, T., E. D. Carter, V. B. Chou, A. R. Stegmuller, B. D. Jackson, Y. Tam, T. Sawadogo-Lewis and N. Walker, “Early estimates of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child mortality in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study”, Lancet Global Health, vol. 8, no. 7, 2020, pp. 901-908.
“Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations”, Our World in Data, 20 November 2022, https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations.
Mackenbach, J. P., W. J. Meerding and A. E. Kunst, “Economic costs of health inequalities in the European Union,” Journal of Epidemiological and Community Health, vol. 65, no. 5, 2011, pp. 412-419.
