Doha: The role a country’s national policy can play in population health will be thoroughly discussed as the World Innovation Summit for Health (Wish) presents a ‘Healthy Populations’ forum and report during its 2016 conference in Doha.
The forum will seek to define the concept of population health, explain why a strategy is needed to address it, and list actions for policymakers to improve it.
By discussing case studies based on community and employer-led initiatives, health care systems and city-wide approaches, the paper will lay out a framework for a population health management strategy that will translate into actionable policy recommendations.
“‘Healthy Populations’ is a term widely used yet commonly misunderstood,” Sue Siegel, CEO of GE Ventures & Healthymagination, who will chair the forum, said. “It is a privilege to be engaged with this distinguished group of leaders working to improve the health outcomes of communities worldwide. I am confident that the results of our efforts will contribute to the evidence base needed to better understand the kinds of cross-sector, collaborative actions necessary in communities globally for change to truly take hold.”
Among the topics the report will cover are the significance of technology and innovation in enhancing the health of populations, in both low and high-income countries. It will shed light on how technology has transformed the way health care is delivered in certain countries, while identifying possible interventions that lead to short and long-term impact.
“The health of a population is influenced by factors that are outside the traditional health care system, such as social inequalities, pollution, education, urban planning, and lifestyle choices,” Egbert Schillings, CEO of Wish, said. “As a consequence, most health care costs are really due to non-health care factors, so the report will showcase successful population health strategies which seek to address all factors influencing health.”
The Wish 2016 summit on November 29-30 will feature seven research forums that highlight and address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
In addition to Healthy Populations, the forums will generate interdisciplinary, evidence-based reports on topics including Precision Medicine, Economic Benefits of Investing in Health, Cardiovascular Disease, Accountable Care, Autism, and Behavioural Insights.
For the first time, Wish will also report on its ongoing impact locally and globally on issues previously highlighted at the Summit, such as diabetes and patient safety.
The summit will feature innovation showcases from around the world that are shaping the design, delivery, and financing of care, as well as a cohort of young innovators; emerging health care leaders under the age of 30 whose contributions to global health deserve wider recognition.
Wish, a global initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), is a meeting point for thousands of policymakers, academics, and professionals. It has also evolved into a key platform for the dissemination of health care innovation and best practices, and is aligned with QF’s mission to reinforce Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation.
