Session (CTI)

Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) has matured substantially over the past decades, generating robust methodological standards and well-defined research priorities in jurisdictions with long-established health technology assessment (HTA) systems. However, this maturity is not evenly distributed across the globe. In many regions—including Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe—the research and policy agenda for HEOR remains far less defined. Identifying which topics most urgently require attention and upskilling in these settings is therefore a pressing and largely unresolved question. This question is of particular relevance to Value in Health Regional Issues (VIHRI), a journal that since its inception has served as a global platform for scientific dissemination, giving voice to regional perspectives often underrepresented in mainstream HEOR literature. This forum aims to bring together leading voices in the field to discuss and debate the priority research and policy topics that should define the HEOR agenda over the next decade, with particular attention to the needs of emerging and diverse healthcare systems worldwide. The insights generated during this session will directly inform the journal's editorial strategy, guiding the development of new theme sections and content priorities. For the audience, this forum represents a valuable opportunity to identify potential avenues for contribution, including the submission of original research in the thematic areas emerging from the discussion. Espinoza will open the session with a brief overview of the journal's recent development and growing regional footprint and will moderate the debate. Steuten, Villanueva, and Wu will contribute their perspective on priority topics and methodological gaps, including global policy leadership, regional editorial experience, and cross-regional scientific perspective, fostering a dynamic and multi-angle discussion. The session will conclude an open Q&A that encourages audience members to share their own views on the emerging global HEOR agenda.