If healthcare systems were a country, they would collectively be the 5th largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally. Healthcare decision makers are already grappling with increased demand for healthcare, and highly constrained budgets. However, unless we act immediately the climate emergency will quickly supersede both challenges. As with public health policy, environmental policy is highly influenced by economic decision makers. This panel will have a robust discussion on the intersection of health, environmental, and economic policy and how to enable more sustainable healthcare systems.

OVERVIEW:

The IPCC Report 2022 set forth an agenda that highlights the need to reduce Carbon Emissions by 90% by 2050. Unless this happens, the environmental impact will increase the incidence of major public health threats including destructive weather, and increased pandemic situations. This will more frequently place over-stretched healthcare systems on an unmanageable emergency footing. Therefore, health economic dialogue that includes environmental considerations are the economics of survival. The 4 main areas health systems can focus to support sustainability: Prevention, Patient self-care, lean-service delivery, and low-carbon alternatives span each of the Scope 1, 2 & 3 emission reduction plans. This panel will enable the dialogue on the economics of healthcare system sustainability, and initiate discussion on forming an ISPOR SIG: "The Economics of Healthcare System Sustainability".

This structure will be:

(10min - Introduction) The intersection of health, economic and environmental policy: setting the landscape and providing a roadmap to sustainability

(15min - Policy Perspective) An Equilibrium in Care Provision: Balancing individual, population, & planetary outcomes

(15min - Industry Perspective) A Roadmap for Industry Support: How to reduce Carbon-footprint.

(15min - Provider/Hospital Perspective) The role of hospitals: The Economics of Scope 1, 2 & 3 emission reductions.

(20min - Questions and Answers)

Any stakeholder involved in healthcare decision making will benefit, including physicians, providers (hospitals), payers, policy makers, procurement, and patients.