40 HEALTHCARE
Investing in healthcare : it is simply the smart thing to do
At Janssen , the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson , we are committed to advancing global healthcare . Improving lives through the development of breakthrough medical innovations and patient-centered solutions is at the heart of everything we do . Our innovative spirit and our credo challenge us to think differently in all aspects of our work – from science to access and policy – to enhance the health outcomes of those we serve worldwide .
Health is the life-spring of a nation
In 2001 , the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health noted that the collective health of a nation is a key determinant of future economic development . In short , it takes a healthy population to build and sustain a strong society . Investment in healthcare is not simply associated with better health outcomes ; it also safeguards the sustainability of the development process as a whole through market growth , job creation , and greater productivity . Dr . Margaret Chan , Director-General of the World Health Organization , has called the health sector “ a producer of economic gains . And it produces the most gains when health systems operate with top efficiency .” 1
A lasting impact
The G20 should seize this occasion to create lasting impact . Efforts need to impact a nation ’ s health in the immediate future and drive economic resilience in the long term . This includes widening the spectrum of healthcare stakeholders involved in decision-making and shifting healthcare models to focus on comprehensive preventative programs that are sustainable and affordable .
The smart thing to do
Investing in healthcare is not only the right thing to do , it is the smart thing to do . To realize the G20 goal of increasing world economic growth by two percent over five years 2 , member states must recommit to investing in healthcare – early and vigorously – to boost economic prosperity of all countries . Addressing health system challenges and opportunities will require new approaches that encourage stakeholders to challenge the status quo and improve the health of even the hardest-to-reach populations .
As a global community , now is the time to think – and act – differently if we are to make lasting change in people ’ s lives
Society-wide benefits
The global community has witnessed society-wide benefits from strategic investment in health systems . For example , Haiti and Rwanda , two countries with long histories of underdevelopment , are on the path towards generating far-reaching positive impacts . Following the 2010 earthquake , early investments in Haiti ’ s health infrastructure are beginning to show strong results .
Rwanda , likewise , has sought to strengthen healthcare delivery , particularly in rural areas . Through public-private partnerships , these countries have invested in training healthcare professionals and building healthcare centers – investments which are beginning to serve as an “ engine of economic development .” 3
Thinking beyond convention
Janssen recognizes the importance of thinking beyond convention to cultivate the best outcomes for people , communities , and national economies . Today , we are expanding our contribution to global public health beyond research and development ( R & D ), and broadly investing in health systems around the world . For example , Janssen has invested in disease-centric integrated care pilots in the United Kingdom and Germany that utilize ongoing support tools and consistent capacity building to address schizophrenia – a disease that affects a small population but has an enormous economic burden . In China , we are developing sustainable ways to deliver our anti-tuberculosis medicine cost-effectively to patients through novel access approaches and care coordination .