In the past weeks, WifOR has continued to advance the dialogue on health as a strategic investment – from international forums to national studies, and soon at ISPOR Europe in Glasgow.
At the UN General Assembly and the World Health Summit, we emphasized how health drives prosperity, well-being, and resilience globally. At various European events, we showcased how measuring the broader economic value of health can shift decision-making from managing costs to creating sustainable growth.
Our latest research reinforces this message: the Health Economics Barometer 2025 for Latvia shows how health investments enhance welfare and productivity, while our MedTech study for Germany highlights the sector’s key role in innovation and competitiveness.
Best wishes,
Global Health Conversations: From the UN to the World Health Summit
To show policymakers and investors worldwide that budget allocations for health have a clear return on investment, we need to share sound data on the positive impact of these investments. At the 80th UN General Assembly in New York and the World Health Summit in Berlin, WifOR Institute presented these data insights to underscore how health is not a cost, but a smart financial decision.
As global leaders gathered in New York to discuss financial and political priorities, I emphasized how promoting health can help them secure economic growth during a Foreign Policyroundtable. Meanwhile, my colleagues and I met high-level decision-makers in Berlin, including members of Egypt’s Ministry of Health, to discuss policy ideas for better health and more wealth.
WifOR’s findings presented in these global stages demonstrate how evidence-based prevention, skilled health workforces, and societal value assessments can make health systems more resilient and economically sustainable.
Driving Competitiveness in Europe: Examples from Latvia and Slovenia
The Health Economy is one of Europe’s pillars, generating more than €1 in every €10 in the EU. Strengthening the sector therefore provides an opportunity to position European economies as global leaders in the field.
Resilient healthcare systems are also essential to future-proof Europe, and I emphasized this point at the Bled Strategic Forum, highlighting that a healthy population is the foundation of productivity, development, and innovation. In this regard, sustainable policies are needed to unlock health’s full potential as a driver of growth across the EU. Watch the full discussion here.
Overcoming cognitive and institutional biases that hinder long-term investments is also important if we want European health systems to thrive. Such biases reinforce the outdated view of health as a cost rather than a key driver of growth and resilience. These findings are part of the Health Economics Barometer 2025, a study presented by our colleague Dr. Karla Hernández-Villafuerte that explores how healthcare financing and accessibility strengthen Latvia’s productivity, stability, and well-being over time. Learn more and listen to the event here.
How Innovation is Shaping the Future of Health
WifOR’s latest analyses highlight how innovations in health – from technological advances to novel medicines – fuel economic development and well-being.
One clear example is seen in the innovation-driven medical technology sector. In our latest study for Germany, we calculated that MedTech generated €20 billion in value creation and over 450,000 jobs. Despite regulatory challenges, the sector continues to secure Germany’s position as a global industry leader. Explore the study (in German) here.
Innovation also helps to improve diagnosis tools, prevention strategies, and allows for the implementation of new treatments. As I explained at Roche’s Future Talk, promoting innovation therefore yields greater economic returns than delayed care.
Underscoring the value of health in the media:
WifOR contributed to Euronews’ article “Healthy Returns: Why Europe Must Treat Healthcare as an Investment, Not a Cost,” and participated in the panel discussion co-organized by Johnson & Johnson. Read the article and watch the recording here.
Listen to the MAP Podcast titled “Are We Undervaluing the Economic Power of Health?” In this interview, I delved into rethinking health spending as a catalyzer of innovation, resilience, and economic growth. Access the full episode on your preferred podcast platform here.
Connect with us at these upcoming events:
ISPOR Europe 2025 in Glasgow (9th to 12th November): featuring two panel discussions, a research podium (Top 5% Finalist!), and six posters. Join us as we contribute to shaping the dialogue around ISPOR’s Whole Health approach and explore the broader social and economic value of health.
Pharma Deutschland General Meeting in Berlin (25th November): video statement with focus on healthcare presenting “Pharma as an Economic Stabilizer in times of Crisis.”
MSD Spotlight Impf:Pulse in Berlin (26th November): addressing the topic of “Prevention before rehabilitation before retirement.”
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates regarding these events!
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