Dr Josep Figueras, Dr Matthias Wismar from European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, with Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat from WHO/Europe, argue that investing in health will lead to a better and wealthier future
The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on our lives, from homeschooling and restaurant closures to travel bans and backlogs in healthcare. But amidst the chaos and disruption, a silver lining emerged: the realisation that there can be no healthy economy without a healthy population. As governments implemented severe measures to contain the virus, we saw firsthand the power of decision-making and collaboration across all sectors.
Now, as the pandemic wanes and the world’s economy remains vulnerable, we must not let investment in health fall by the wayside. While other sectors may be vying for attention and investment, policymakers must not underestimate the impact that health investments can have on their economies and societies.
According to a recent policy brief from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and WHO/Europe, investing in better health and health policies can not only improve our health and the resilience of health systems but also contribute to policy objectives in other sectors.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by investing in health
This is where the concept of health co-benefits comes in. By investing in better health, we can achieve both direct and indirect benefits, from improved health and health equity to the impact that health systems and policies have on other areas of life.
However, identifying and quantifying these co-benefits is not easy, requiring sector-specific knowledge and understanding of context.
To help policy-makers think about the various links across health and other sectors, our report proposes a framework oriented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The health sector, for example, can be an employer and purchaser, invest in research and education, and have a broader influence on infrastructure, urban development, and climate change.
One practical example of health co-benefits is the role of the health sector – which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases – in addressing the urgent climate crisis. Investing in green hospitals and making their design and construction carbon-neutral can help policy-makers pursue SDG 13 – climate action. Similarly, hospitals introducing smart mobility concepts can support SDG 11 – making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
The health and care workforce is another area that requires urgent attention, particularly given its gender dimension. Nearly 80% of the workforce is made up of women, which means this is also a gender equality crisis. By investing in and supporting those who care for us, governments can contribute to both decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and gender equality and empowerment of women (SDG 5).
Lastly, the development and production of pharmaceuticals in lower- and middle-income countries is an area where we can see how the links between health and industrial policies can lead to better health outcomes. For example, technology transfer and local production of pharmaceuticals can promote SDG 9 – innovation and industry – while meeting health needs.
A new narrative for investing in health and health systems
There is no doubt that better health leads to a better economy, better work, and more equality. But while the benefits of investing in health are clear, achieving health co-benefits requires overcoming political challenges such as siloed thinking and opposition.
Achieving our objectives will depend on good governance and the political context, so everyone understands that health is everybody’s problem.
By emphasising the mutual benefits of health and other sectors working together, we can make action across sectors more appealing and bring other sectors on board.
Because of COVID-19, we have done a decent job placing health in all policies. As evidence continues to mount that health is wealth, it’s time to invest in health for all policies. This will help us get Europe and the world back on track for the much-needed Sustainable Development Goals.
