Plain Language Summary

This research focuses on how health equity is integrated into the health technology assessment (HTA) processes across 13 Asian health systems. Understanding health equity is vital because it ensures fair access to healthcare for all, addressing disparities that exist due to socioeconomic status, geography, and specific health conditions. The study found that while many Asian health systems recognize health equity in their HTA processes, the extent and methods of integration vary significantly.

Most health systems, except for Cambodia and Myanmar, have begun to incorporate health equity into various stages of HTA, such as topic nomination, prioritization, assessment, appraisal, and decision making. Countries like China and Japan often consider health equity when addressing diseases that heavily burden certain populations, including children and the elderly. In contrast, Indonesia and the Philippines focus on equity issues related to access for socially disadvantaged groups and different geographical locations.

The research identified that health equity is often used to prioritize health topics, particularly those affecting marginalized communities. However, the quantitative evaluation of health equity impacts is still in its early stages across most countries. Only a few nations have started using equity-informative economic evaluations designed to quantify equity impacts.

Key findings highlight that while health equity is acknowledged in the assessment and decision-making phases of HTA, there is a lack of systematic approaches to ensure that equity considerations are consistently applied. The study emphasizes the need for clearer guidelines and more robust frameworks to guide the integration of health equity in HTA processes.

In summary, this research underscores the importance of health equity in improving healthcare accessibility and quality in Asia. It points to the need for ongoing development of methods and standards to enhance the integration of health equity into HTA, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for diverse populations across the region.

^{Note: This content was created with assistance from artificial intelligence (AI) and has been reviewed and edited by ISPOR staff. For more information or for inquiries on ISPOR’s AI policy, click here or contact us at info@ispor.org.}