More than 4.5 billion people lack access to essential health services and 60 million lives are lost worldwide due to failed health systems, representing a loss of 15% of global GDP.
But a new report from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) says the negative effects of health and economic decline can be prevented by increasing investment in nurses, who provide more than 80% of practical care. That's what it means.
Investing in health workers, especially nurses, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will yield a huge return on investment at a 10:1 ratio, the report notes.
The economic burden of inadequate health systems is at the forefront of the report, whose release coincided with International Day of Nursing on Sunday. This year's theme on 'The Economics of Care' reflects the significant contribution of nurses to global economic growth and identifies key areas for strategic investment in the face of growing healthcare demands and burnout. Masu.
“What governments need to realize is that these investments in nursing are not costs. Investing in health care saves money, and our experts believe that if we have a healthy population, We say global GDP could be boosted by $12 trillion, or 8%,” said ICN President Pamela Cipriano.
The report finds that countries need to increase the size of their nursing workforce to 70 nurses per 10,000 people to reach key universal health coverage (UHC) standards by 2030. It is said that there is. That means we need 30.6 million more nurses. educated and employed around the world.
“Substantial universal health coverage (UHC) could save 60 million lives each year and increase life expectancy by 3.7 years, but achieving it would require significant investment in the nursing workforce. We need a significant increase,” Cipriano added. “Nurses are the driving force behind primary health care (PHC), and PHC is recognized by the United Nations as a catalyst for achieving the UHC 2030 goal.”
Cost-cutting measures backfire
Nurses make up 50% of the health workforce, but state investment in their education, pay and conditions has eroded rather than strengthened in the post-corona era.
“In the face of a global nursing shortage, instead of investing in the current nursing workforce, there are short-term and cost-saving options, such as international recruitment, creation of new non-registered nurse roles, and shortened tenures.” “We are seeing too many governments choosing to lead the way in nursing education,” said Howard Catton, CEO of ICN.
“These are bad choices that lead us in the wrong direction, deter people from entering the profession, and lead to serious consequences for more experienced nurses quitting or retiring earlier than they should.” It poses a danger.”
Even in high-income countries like the United States, “nurses frequently face staffing shortages, excessive workloads, and resource constraints, all of which can negatively impact job satisfaction and retention.” “Yes,” said Dean Lisa Kitko, associate professor and Ph.D. The University of Rochester School of Nursing told Health Policy Watch.
“It is essential that nurses recognize the economic value they bring to healthcare organizations through their expertise, skills, and contributions to patient outcomes,” she says. “Nurses, the largest health care professionals and most trusted, are uniquely positioned to improve lives and strengthen communities. They integrate the physical, social, and mental health of their patients. At the same time, we are thinking more systematically about the future of medicine.”
The return on investment in the nursing care field is 1:10.
The report notes that every $1 invested in the health system typically yields a return of $2 to $4. “Stronger health systems mean better health, and healthier people provide a greater return on investment.”
But the economic benefits for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are even greater. Investing in health workers, especially nurses, in LMICs provides a huge return on investment at a 1:10 ratio.
“We know that investing in nursing improves health care delivery, is a catalyst for economic development, and promotes peace and social well-being,” Cipriano said.
“Our work has an impact far beyond the tangible care we provide in hospitals, homes, communities and crisis settings.”
The report states that the knock-on benefits of investing in the nursing workforce include improved overall health outcomes, as well as improved direct job creation, leading to increased productivity in other sectors. I'm pointing it out.
Opportunities to increase gender equality
Investment in nursing and the broader care economy is also “crucial to closing the gender gap,” the report highlights. Improving pay, working conditions and career advancement opportunities in nursing will empower women and stimulate the rest of the economy, especially in a context where around 90% of nurses around the world are women.
By the same token, investing in the nursing workforce can also help alleviate poverty, especially for women and girls.
Such investments also require a more economic focus and remuneration for what is currently unpaid care work. Approximately 76% of unpaid care work is performed by women, and paid care work is characterized by low wages. The report sees an economic opportunity in improving pathways to better paid care work. “Improving the care system and recognizing and redistributing unpaid care work can make a significant contribution to closing the gender gap in the labor market,” the report said.
Additionally, the report highlights how investments in nursing have cascading economic benefits, including globally. One notable example is that nurses educated in the global South and working in the North remit more than $50 billion each year. At the same time, LMICs are also suffering a significant “brain drain” of nurses, as wealthy countries increasingly rely on importing nurses from abroad rather than investing in strengthening their domestic health workforce. .
“What's important now is to emphasize to the world that nurses no longer want to hide,” Cipriano said in a recent webinar. “For too long, people have dismissed the economic value of care as irrelevant or worthless, and that is clearly wrong,” said Howard Hutton, CEO of ICN. he added.
“Social cohesion, peace and prosperity”
While many of the reports highlight the economic impact of nursing, they also make the case for the relationship between nurses' work and peace. The report states: “Through her work, a nurse addresses the root causes of illness and risk factors that lead to conflict.
As front-line nurses and primary care providers, nurses “recognize the links to other issues such as political conflict, family breakdown, unemployment, poverty, and mental health crises,” the report said. ing.
“Nurses, in positions of trust within their communities, can play an important role in bringing people together, building bridges, and developing the broader partnerships and relationships that are the foundation of peace and community cohesion. .”
Kitko, who is also associate director of the University of Rochester Medical Center, said, “We are seeing a growing recognition among health care leaders of the need to invest in nursing education, training, and professional development.” . Today, nurses have an unprecedented opportunity to develop policy, conduct research, deliver quality care, and spearhead change aimed at strengthening the well-being and resilience of the nursing workforce. is given. ”
At the same time, she notes that many societies and governments continue to undervalue nursing, saying, “People often overlook the advanced education, professional skills, and leadership roles that many nurses play.
“We must continue to promote the image of nursing, highlighting nurses' expertise, compassion, and impact on patient care.”
Image credit: Kate Holt/USAID, International Council of Nurses, International Council of Nurses.
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