Stronger Together
2024 Health Forum - Health as an Economic Imperative
The 6th edition of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Health Forum, titled Health as an Economic Imperative, took place on 4th December 2024. This year’s event marks the new chapter of our Stronger Together campaign and will serve as the starting point for a series of regional roundtables and annual forums to be held from 2025 onwards. The aim of these events is to sustain momentum in shaping the OECD’s Health policy agenda, positioning the private sector as a trusted partner in global health discussions, while emphasizing key messages and delivering innovative solutions.
The 2024 Health Forum reviewed the current OECD health agenda, following the 2024 OECD Health Ministerial Meeting and future OECD programme of work for health. It took stock of the current state of health and the private sector’s involvement, identifying key priorities, opportunities, and challenges. Various major topics have be addressed, including fostering economic growth and systemic resilience, including prevention, addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to build a healthier and more productive workforce, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence for sustainable health systems, as well as investing in health for fiscal efficiency.
The public and private sector can and must come together in transforming our health systems, for that reason, the 2024 Health Forum main outputs are focusing on identifying the private sector’s priorities for health resilience in the coming year, facilitating exchanges with the OECD on its strategic direction in health policy, and preparing a key highlights report to support the ongoing campaign. We believe discussing these topics would set the scene for high visibility and a cross-cutting programme of work for the health sector.
2023 Health Forum
The 5th edition of Business at OECD (BIAC) Health Forum held on 5 October 2023 under the theme of Health as a Key for Economic Resilience, provided a platform for the public and private sector to identify their priorities, opportunities, and challenges, while exploring a cross-cutting agenda for further action by the private sector, governments, and the OECD.
With some of the most critical health challenges of our times among us, the 2023 Health Forum provided a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of both sanitary and economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. By taking stock of what worked and what did not, participants aimed to develop better guidance for managing future health crises. Ultimately, the event reinforced the idea that well-designed health policies are essential to promoting both economic growth and societal well-being.
Panel discussions highlighted the importance of data, measurement, strategic planning, and the power of prevention in strengthening health resilience. The 2023 Health Forum delved into connections between health and the environment, stressing the need for continued investment in innovation. It was a cornerstone of our health Stronger Together campaign, which called for greater health resilience and foresight. This campaign stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to strengthen global health systems in the face of future challenges.
Browse Event Programe Here Read Forum Synthesis Report
Past Health Forums
Since 2016, Business at OECD (BIAC) Health Forum has provided a platform for dialogue, enabling the industry to share its perspectives and initiatives beyond regular engagement with the OECD. This event has served as a foundational opportunity for businesses to highlight the contributions of our Health Committee members toward improving health outcomes.
Each Health Forum provided an opportunity to discuss various aspects of health policy, including the role of digital technologies and strategic partnerships in health sector, the importance of innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and fundamental linkages between health and environment.
With over 200 participants and more than 20 speakers each year, Health Forums have raised the awareness vis-à-vis global stakeholders and other international organizations, as to how the OECD, as a multidisciplinary organization with strong expertise in health and related areas, should consider business perspectives going forward. Our Health Forums play a vital role in shaping health policy by linking economic considerations, patients’ well-being, and the future of the health sector. They also reflect the evolution of global health priorities in response to emerging challenges
Case-studies
01
Initiatives from our members
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
Confederation of Danish Industry (DI)
Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (VBO FEB)
Federation of German Industries (BDI)
Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec)
02
Initiatives from our observers
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Business Unity South Africa
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
- Report: “Strengthening healthcare workforce in India: the 2047 agenda”
- FICCI Anxiety Management – White Paper
- FICCI Infectious Diseases Beyond COVID-19 - White Paper
- FICCI-EY Report - Making quality cancer care more accessible and affordable in India
- FICCI-KPMG Paper - Covid-19 induced healthcare transformation in India
- FICCI-KPMG Report - Strengthening healthcare workforce in India
National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP)
03
Initiatives from our associate expert groups
Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP)
- Self-Medication in Europe: Economic and Social Impact on Individuals and Society (Published Study)
- Self-Medication in Europe: Economic and Social Impact on Individuals and Society 'Brochure)
- AESGP Position Paper on the European Commission’s proposal for a revision of EU general pharmaceutical legislation
- Charter for Environmentally Sustainable Self-Care
European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
- Strengthening Health Systems Through Smart Spending
- The Power of Innovation
- Chronic Diseases: Sustainable Solutions for Europe
- Are European policy makers losing interest in health?
- Biopharma SMEs need clear incentives and stable legislation for Europe to remain competitive
- Prevention is the best medicine
- NIRO: Navigating Innovation & Research Opportunities
- Precision approach to population health can benefit patients and health systems
- Revise pharmaceutical legislation, or long-term access to medical breakthroughs for Europeans will be harmed
- How to adapt the healthcare system to be future-proof
- International Clinical Trials Day 2023
- About the importance of multistakeholder dialogue to advance clinical research and how Digital Health Technologies can support patient centric measures
GS1
MedTech Europe
- MedTech Europe urges for more immediate actions to tackle AMR
- Mapping the pathways enabling market access to innovative medical procedures and technologies
- Recovery/Resilience Agenda: Integration of digital health in the EU healthcare systems
- Reflection Paper: Lessons Learnt from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recommendations on Purchasing Models
European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP)
International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)
- Berlin Declaration: Biopharmaceutical Industry Vision for Equitable Access in Pandemics
- Applying Lessons Learned from COVID-19 to Create a Healthier, Safer, More Equitable World
- The COVID-19 Innovation Timeline
- Principles for a fit-for-purpose global health architecture
- Government and Life Science Industry Join Forces on 100 Days Mission for Future Pandemics
- INTREPID Alliance
European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry (COCIR)
Global Self Care Federation
IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association
04
Initiatives from our friends
Johnson & Johnson
- Johnson & Johnson Releases its 2022 Health for Humanity Report and We All Belong: DEI Impact Review
- Working to Ensure Equal Access to Mental Healthcare for All
- Tackling the World’s Most Urgent Healthcare Needs
- Johnson & Johnson Position on Universal Health Coverage
- Johnson & Johnson Position on Strengthening Health Systems
UnitedHealth Group
- Optum Rx introduces new initiatives to improve the pharmacy experience for community and independent pharmacy partners and patients
- Optum Rx launches pharmacy wellness programs to support underserved and rural communities
- New Optum Rx payment solutions continue to empower clients with more choice, transparency in pharmacy benefits
- Partnership aims to improve mental health care for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth
- UnitedHealth Group Partners with Morehouse School of Medicine to Help Black Mothers Access Health Care Resources
- United Health Foundation working to diversify the health workforce
- Mortality Measures During COVID-19 Continue To Reflect Deep Racial Disparities According to “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report”
Dai-ichi Life Group
Diageo
Sanofi
- Sanofi, Meningitis Research Foundation, and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations ignite a global awareness initiative against meningitis with launch of The Meningitis Flag
- Vaccines R&D pipeline raises the bar in RSV, influenza, meningitis, and pneumococcal disease
- Sanofi Consumer Healthcare launches new portal to unlock science and solve key challenges in self-care
- Sanofi “all in” on artificial intelligence and data science to speed breakthroughs for patients