CHDS faculty Sue J. Goldie and Stéphane Verguet served on The Lancet Commission on Investing in Health, which recently released Global Health 2050: The Path to Halving Premature Death by Mid-Century.
The report highlights that countries from any income group, whether low-, middle-, or high-income, could reduce the probability of premature mortality among their populations by 50% by the year 2050 if they focused on addressing 15 major conditions and diseases. These include infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and maternal health conditions. Many countries have made strides in reducing deaths from these, but millions of people still lack access to essential health services that could prevent mortality. The Commission advocates for a targeted approach, proposing 19 intervention modules that could strengthen health systems, covering core services such as child development, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
To attain this goal, substantial domestic health investment of approximately 1-2% GDP would be required, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The report provides suggestions for financing strategies such as taxing tobacco and unhealthy foods, removing fossil fuel subsidies, and focusing on development assistance for countries with the greatest needs.
The report is the third report of the Commission on Investing in Health. The Commission’s first report marked the 20th anniversary of the World Bank’s 1993 report, Investing in Health, which was one of the World Bank’s most widely cited publications, demonstrating that evidence-based health expenditures were an investment in economic prosperity, as well as health. A second report, Alma-Ata at 40: Reflections from the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health, was published in 2018. This third report identifies opportunities for investment in spite of global challenges. Goldie served on all three commissions.
Learn more: Read the report, Global Health 2050: The Path to Halving Premature Death by Mid-Century
Learn more: Read the 2013 report, Global Health 2035: A World Converging within a Generation
Learn more: Read the 2018 report, Alma-Ata at 40 Years: Reflections from the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health
Learn more: Read about Global Health 2050
Related news: Alma-Ata at 40 Years