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Health Economics and Equity Research in the Digital Age: What are the Implications for Achieving Universal Health Coverage?
December 15, 2022 @ 5:00 am - 6:00 am EST
Free5-6 pm Thai time, 3:30–4:30 pm India time, 7-8 pm Japan time, 10–11 am London time
Featuring speakers: Dr. Piya Hanvoravongchai, Secretary General, Thai National Health Foundation and Equity Initiative Program Director at the China Medical Board
Dr. T. Sundararaman, Global Coordinator of People’s Health Movement
Dr. Kyoko Shimamoto, Project Lecturer at Keio Global Research Institute, Keio University
Background:
Equity in health has been a concern for long and has been central to aspirations for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), an objective enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the gaps that remain in access to quality care, particularly at a time of crisis; at the same time, it has highlighted the opportunities for expanding access by harnessing the potential of digital health. The rapid transformation of the health system also calls for reimagining the role of research in addressing the challenges that emerge by generating evidence for policy. Health economics research including health economic evaluations can be used to determine the value of implementing health technologies and interventions. In the context of digital health, there may be a need to consider multiple aspects such as the digital health environment, operating at the individual and societal levels to ensure health equity, as outlined in frameworks on digital health equity. The Asian region has been expanding its capabilities of digital health with countries such as Thailand and India implementing national digital health policies. In light of these developments, this webinar will explore the role of health economics research to inform equity considerations in Asia in the context of achieving UHC.
Objectives:
- To understand equity issues from a health systems perspective and in the context of digitalisation of health in Asia
- To exchange lessons on the role of health economics and health service research to address these issues
Participants: Open to all
Agenda:
Time | Particular | Description | Speaker(s) |
5 mins | Welcome and overview | · Objectives of the session
· Introduction to speakers |
Saudamini Dabak |
10 mins | Opening remarks: Health equity in the context of digitalisation in Asia: Current path and consequences for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) | · Importance of health equity and key considerations for achieving UHC | Dr. Piya Hanvoravongchai |
15 mins | Monitoring equity in health systems: What do the numbers tell and what do they hide? | · Systems and indicators for tracking equity in health
· Trends in access to health · Impact of digital health in access to care including access to vaccines during COVID-19 |
Dr. T. Sundararaman |
15 mins | Equity analysis in health economic evaluations in Japan and methodological considerations in assessing digital health | · Importance and example of health economic research on equity
· Example of conducting health economic research · Methodological implications for conducting health economic research on equity in the context of digital health |
Dr. Kyoko Shimamoto |
15 mins | Discussion and Summary | · Q&A | All, moderated by Saudamini Dabak |
The meeting will be recorded for reference purposes.
Resources:
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- Richardson, S., Lawrence, K., Schoenthaler, A.M. et al.A framework for digital health equity. npj Digit. Med. 5, 119 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00663-0
- Crawford A, Serhal E. Digital Health Equity and COVID-19: The Innovation Curve Cannot Reinforce the Social Gradient of Health. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Jun 2;22(6):e19361. doi: 10.2196/19361. PMID: 32452816; PMCID: PMC7268667.
- Thailand: Cabinet gives nod to mass reform scheme. Bangkok Post. 19 May 2021. Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2117823/cabinet-gives-nod-to-mass-reform-scheme
- India: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Link: https://abdm.gov.in/
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