The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All, chaired by Professor Mariana Mazzucato, has produced its final report, which redefines the role of health in economic planning and policy. The report’s vision is reinforced by the expertise of a panel of experts, all of whom are distinguished economists and experts in the field. In addition to Professor Mariana Mazzucato, the Council includes renowned figures such as Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Vera Songwe, Dr Jayati Ghosh and Professor Ilona Kickbusch, among others.
“The report’s innovative premise is that health should not be a means to other economic ends, but a primary goal in itself.”
Commissioned by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this report offers a vision that places physical and mental well-being at the heart of economic and government priorities. The report’s innovative premise is that health should not be a means to other economic ends, but a primary goal in itself. This shift in focus requires that “health for all” become a key priority across all government departments, beyond the traditional confines of Ministries of Health. Report calls for a new economic narrative that values health as a long-term investment and not as a short-term cost.
The report highlights Four crucial issues: valuing human and planetary well-being beyond GDP, re-examining health financing as a long-term investment, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of health innovation for equitable access, and strengthening the capacity of the public sector with sufficient resources to effectively direct health policies.
The report emphasizes rethinking traditional economic measures such as GDP, which often fail to reflect the true state of society’s well-being. Instead, it advocates for parameters that reflect human and planetary health. The report also highlights the importance of health innovation and advocates for a comprehensive health innovation ecosystem that prioritizes the common good. This ecosystem would leverage public-private partnerships to maximize public value. The development and equitable distribution of health innovations, such as vaccines and treatments, are suggested as key components of this ecosystem.
“Health outcomes are profoundly influenced by factors such as income, sex, age, region, race and ethnicity.”
Another strong point of the report is that focuses on the social determinants of health. It recognizes that health outcomes are deeply influenced by factors such as income, sex, age, region, race and ethnicity. Addressing these determinants requires comprehensive, equity-focused policies that span multiple sectors, including education, housing and employment. The report advocates for a comprehensive approach to health in which all departments work together to improve health outcomes.
The report also highlights some challenges. One of the main obstacles is the entrenched reluctance of governments to proactively invest in health systems. The struggle to secure funding for a Global Pandemic Fund is an example of this reluctance. This aversion to upfront investment in preventive measures is a major obstacle that must be overcome to realise the vision of Health for All. I would add that most countries are not prioritising pandemic preparedness and response planning, which further exacerbates the problem.
It also recognises the role of commercial determinants of health, in particular the influence of industries such as tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels and alcohol. Addressing these determinants involves regulating business activities to limit harm and promote positive health outcomes. This is another area where resistance from entrenched interests can pose significant challenges. It advocates for policies that incentivise healthier choices and reduce the burden of harmful business practices on health systems.
The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All formulates 13 high-level recommendations around four pillars to rethink economic policies that prioritize healthThese include treating health as a long-term investment, upholding health as a human right, and restoring planetary health through a regenerative economy. They advocate using comprehensive metrics beyond GDP to track societal progress, adopting stable and equitable health financing, and ensuring that WHO is well funded for global coordination. In addition, the recommendations call for creating public-private partnerships for health innovation, governing knowledge for the common good, aligning industrial strategies with health goals, and enhancing government capacities for holistic and transparent governance that builds trust and accountability.
“The report’s strengths lie in its holistic approach, its emphasis on innovation and its commitment to equity. However, realizing this vision will require overcoming significant challenges, such as resistance to proactive investments in health and the need for broad international collaboration.”
The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All presents a visionary and comprehensive framework for integrating health into economic and policy decisions. Strengths of the report The report’s strengths lie in its holistic approach, its emphasis on innovation and its commitment to equity. However, realising this vision will require overcoming significant challenges, such as resistance to proactive investments in health and the need for broad international collaboration. Most importantly, the report must address implementation and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that its recommendations are effectively implemented. The report provides a vital starting point for developing new policies and economic structures that can ultimately make Health for All a reality. Strengthening advocacy, prioritising actions, encouraging co-production of measures and developing strong accountability mechanisms are crucial steps to achieving the report’s ambitious goals. In addition, setting clear spending targets will be essential to ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to achieve these goals.
The report is undeniably bold and has the potential to change the narrative significantly. By placing health at the centre of economic and political considerations, challenges traditional views and could pave the way to more sustainable and equitable health outcomes globallyIf implemented, these recommendations could help reshape the way health and well-being are valued and prioritized in economic systems, fostering a healthier future for all.