As WHO unveils SARAH (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health), a new digital health promoter prototype powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) and available 24 hours a day in eight languages, WHO Regional Director for Europe said: Regarding the use of innovation in the health field, he writes: Help address major current and future public health challenges.
Innovation has always been the driving force behind health progress, revolutionizing the way we prevent, diagnose and treat disease. And as we navigate a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, it is more important than ever to embrace medical innovation.
From cutting-edge technologies like mRNA vaccines to AI-powered diagnostics, the potential for innovation to transform healthcare is limitless. But for too long, health has often been seen as a passive beneficiary of innovation, rather than a driver of it.
It's time to change this mindset and harness the power of innovation. From a global pandemic to the rise in chronic disease, from a rapidly aging population to the effects of climate change, the challenges we face demand creative solutions that prioritize the well-being of people around the world.
Change the way you think and move the needle on health innovation
Our field, health, can and should be at the forefront of new and innovative solutions powered by technology, including AI. AI will fundamentally change every aspect of human life over the next century.
In fact, the IMF predicts that 40% of jobs will be affected by AI in some way over the next few years, including in health and care. Furthermore, AI products and services are expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, which is more than the current output of China and India combined.
However, while technological advances have led to significant medical advances, social innovations and policies also play an important role in addressing the complex needs of diverse communities. Innovation in public health goes beyond technological advances. This includes leveraging creativity, collaboration, and sustainability to promote equitable access to quality health care.
To foster an environment that fosters innovation in public health, leaders and decision makers must focus on meeting the needs of communities while closing equity gaps.
We need to shift our focus from solely economic benefits to the broader public health impacts of innovative solutions. By aligning policies with the goal of improving health outcomes for all, we can better address inequalities in healthcare access and provide sustainable solutions that benefit society as a whole.
Another strategic shift requires patients themselves to become co-creators and designers of innovation, as they are the experts themselves. They know how to live life with cancer, diabetes, and physical/mental disabilities. Involving them across the entire pathway of disease management increases the relevance and sustainability of solutions and fosters innovation at scale.
Ecosystem approach
As public health professionals, we are not always good at articulating how innovations respond to health and social needs. That's why we need an ecosystem approach to innovation. By fostering collaboration between healthcare providers, technology companies, research institutions, and policy makers, we can create a comprehensive ecosystem to drive innovation in health.
In Ireland, for example, the Department of Health has partnered with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to establish the Health Innovation Hub, an incubator for public health solutions. Healthcare workers at his hub spend half their time providing care and the other half working with startups and health tech companies. This is a clear example of an ecosystem approach.
As we embrace innovation to address pressing global challenges, sustainability must remain at the core of our efforts. Innovation must not only address current needs but also contribute to long-term social, economic and environmental sustainability.
This requires a shift towards sustainable practices, circular economy models and responsible innovation that minimizes negative impacts on both people and the planet.
It is often said that the pursuit of health equity is incompatible with a market-driven society. That fairness somehow stifles innovation. I strongly disagree with that – there is no contradiction. Unfortunately, modern economics tends to focus only on improving efficiency. For example, getting more cancer screenings for every dollar, or squeezing every last ounce of productivity out of the healthcare system.
Equity, which leaves no one behind, is seen as the responsibility of the state or nonprofit sector, not the commercial sector. This way of thinking also needs to change.
In the well-being economy, equity is emphasized, not just profits or “productivity.” We aim to make the world a safe and fair place for humanity, and this is a real challenge for innovators.
the future is already here
“Innovation for Health” brings together experts from various fields such as medicine, engineering, data science, and behavioral psychology. But health is as much about transportation, urban planning and agriculture as it is about where people live, love, work and play.
This interdisciplinary approach not only fosters breakthrough discoveries, but also fosters a culture of cross-pollination where ideas flourish and boundaries are crossed. This is exactly the culture needed for innovation to thrive.
However, the pursuit of innovation for health is not without hurdles. From regulatory walls to financial constraints, ethical dilemmas to data privacy concerns, the path to innovation is fraught with challenges that require careful navigation. Nevertheless, these challenges should not deter us, but rather galvanize our determination to push the limits of what is possible.
By fostering a culture of innovation, nurturing creativity, and enabling diverse stakeholders to collaborate, we can tackle the most pressing challenges of our time.
Embracing emerging technologies, pioneering new frontiers in science and medicine, and prioritizing social innovation will pave the way for a more just, resilient and sustainable future and will help meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It will help countries tackle the difficult task of achieving their goals.
We are truly entering an era of accelerating innovation in health, offering endless possibilities to improve population health and well-being, create jobs, and grow the economy. However, healthcare leaders are not yet fully equipped to confidently navigate this new world of exciting possibilities.
The health sector must be ready to embrace innovation across all dimensions to enhance health and well-being. Or we risk being left behind, squandering today's opportunities and risking the future of health itself. The choice is clear.
Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge is WHO Regional Director for Europe
Innovation ecosystem for public health
Digital Health – WHO/Europe
AI ethics and governance guidance
Image credits: Uka Borgeaard/WHO, Juliana Tan/WHO, WHO.
Combating the infodemic in health information and supporting health policy reporting from the Global South. Our growing network of journalists in Africa, Asia, Geneva and New York connects the dots between local realities and global debates with evidence-based, open-access news and analysis. To donate as an individual or organization, click here with PayPal.
