Transformation towards sustainable health systems through value based health care

Overview

National health policymakers pursue multiple aims. As well as seeking improvement in the health of the population, health systems must operate sustainably, within fiscal constraints, and facilitate economic growth. To explore how value-based health care (VBHC) supported these different aims, Value in Health and the Global Innovation Hub for Improving Value in Health brought together senior policymakers and international experts in Riyadh in January 2020, during Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20.

The report of this event, Transformation towards sustainable health systems through value based health care, describes the potential for VBHC to contribute to health system reform. The report’s nine key findings will be of interest to healthcare policymakers and professionals seeking to transform health and care policy and delivery in their countries. Case examples illustrate how VBHC has driven innovation and sustainability in various contexts. VBHC was seen to be already driving improvement in national health systems, and there was clearly scope for wider adoption and scaling of interventions. While discussions on VBHC were felt to often focus on innovating payment mechanisms, it was emphasized that successful VBHC also required strong data and analytics, outcomes measurement and fuller, more open engagement with citizens and patients.

The scope for collaboration and knowledge transfer between countries was substantial. Participants in this event concluded that sharing insights, data and practical experiences between countries was one of the most critical enablers of wider adoption of VBHC and more rapid achievement of policymakers’ aims for their health systems.