Friday, 27 September 2024 | 10:30-11:45 | Hybrid Conference | Bad Hofgastein, Austria

As Europe faces demographic, economic, and geopolitical challenges, making it difficult to increase health budgets, the time for making the case for health as an investment has never been more pressing. In light of continued cost pressure on health systems of an ageing population, the panel will discuss the societal and economic burden of chronic diseases in Europe and the importance of investing in prevention and improving the efficiency of care.

Chronic diseases account for 80% of the EU’s disease burden, threatening the sustainability of our health systems. According to OECD, an additional 1.4% of GDP spending on health could bolster health system resilience. However, health expenditure in 2022, excluding spending on COVID-19, was below 2019 levels. Will adopting a social or public value-based approach strengthen investment decision making for a more sustainable healthcare system?

The panel aims to foster an interactive exchange on a robust ethical and economic case for innovative health budgeting, emphasising the return on investment in healthcare.

SPEAKERS

• STEFAN EICHWALDER, Head of Department for DRG and Health Economics, Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
• PEDRO FACON, Deputy CEO, Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI)
• JULIA MADER, Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical University of Graz
• NATHALIE MOLL, Director General, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
• JOAKIM RAMSBERG, Head of Science and Policy, The Swedish Brain Foundation

MODERATOR