The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the greatest test modern global health systems have ever faced, exposing many problems, injustices, and systemic problems, leaving many systems distorted and difficult to recover.
But beyond that, it demonstrates the effectiveness of new ways of working and digital tools in addressing some of the challenges the field faces; This enables innovation in science and in drug development, distribution and delivery.
The challenges facing the global health and healthcare sector are long-term, with near-term issues such as worsening mental health conditions, labor shortages, supply chains, climate change challenges and global economic instability.
Long-term challenges include growing demand for services, widening funding gaps, lack of incentives to innovate, widening overall health inequalities, and changing access to advanced therapies.
Undoubtedly, these challenges are complex and interdependent, and reinventing health systems to respond has become a global concern, so this month the World Economic Forum will discuss this crucial issue in defining how healthcare and medicine share a shared vision of healthcare.
Future healthcare systems will benefit from improved diagnosis and treatment, and support for digital tools and artificial intelligence, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum.
The report finds that solutions such as big data and predictive models, wearable devices, telemedicine, and a range of new platforms and applications can reduce healthcare costs and improve both access, outcomes and efficiencies.
Here are the current key global trends affecting healthcare that we need to address to make the system more sustainable, resilient and equitable:
1- Increasing health and capital spending:
The report shows that global healthcare spending will increase by more than 40% to $12 trillion between 2018 and 2022.
Meanwhile, healthcare investment has also reached record levels in recent years, with interest in areas such as gene immunotherapy and new mRNA vaccines for diseases like Zika and malaria.
2- Scientific progress:
In addition to increased investment in this area, we are also seeing advances in disease treatment and diagnosis through increased use of precision medicine and biomarkers. For example, we've seen advances in liquid biopsy change the way cancer is detected.
Liquid biopsy is a revolutionary new discovery in the early detection of cancer. These lab tests are done on blood samples to look for cancer cells in the body or other molecules released by cancer cells so doctors know which genes are inherited. Or the molecular changes that occur in tumors in vivo and their detection at early stages.
3- Digital innovation and artificial intelligence:
As in other industries, the Corona pandemic has also led to rapid digitization in the healthcare sector. 2021; Digital healthcare investment nearly doubles to $57 billion, with a focus on telemedicine and mental health. Technology companies are becoming more focused on healthcare, and digital health startups are growing rapidly.
There is also a growing interest in data, as professional data collection and analysis leads to smarter insights and accurate predictions that can help improve outcomes.
At the same time, areas where AI is being used to help include: diagnosis, clinical decision-making, monitoring and treatment, and workflow. AI-assisted medical imaging is already in use, and many pharmaceutical companies are investigating how to develop AI-assisted drugs.
4- Alternative Care Models:
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance and power of out-of-hospital care. Within households and communities, growth in household health spending is expected to outpace health spending in almost all other areas.
For example: This investment will be used to improve home diagnostics, home drug delivery systems, and patient monitoring equipment.
5- Growing disparities:
The pandemic has highlighted wide disparities in health care, particularly for women, children and youth, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected by disruptions to health services.
The future of healthcare must focus on closing these gaps and making healthcare affordable and accessible to all.
6- Shortage of nurses and exhaustion at altitude:
The pandemic has hit health care workers hard, adding pressure to an already stressed and stressed workforce.
Mental health issues and burnout worsened, forcing many professionals out of the industry, in addition to declining employment rates.
7- Deterioration of mental health:
The problem of deteriorating mental health is a growing problem in society, especially after the system blatantly underestimated it compared to physical health.
The pandemic has shown the importance of mental health. The isolation, stress, uncertainty and widespread loss during the lockdown have left their mark on many.
8- Economic issues:
The challenges of the global economy also have a significant impact on the healthcare system. Geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices, inflation and supply chain problems have increased costs and deteriorated the health care system.
At the same time, environmental concerns and the climate crisis exacerbate many health problems and spread certain diseases, creating new challenges related to the sector's sustainability.
a result ; Transforming healthcare by creating systems that meet the challenges of today and tomorrow requires collaboration and many strategic partnerships.
In its report, the World Economic Forum identified four strategic pillars that need to be addressed: equal opportunity and outcome; Transforming healthcare systems. technology and innovation; and environmental sustainability, which can start now to support long-term systemic change and build better healthcare. around the world.