- Bogi Eliasen, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy; Director of Health, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies
About
The “health and dignity” approach to wellbeing is centred on enhancing health and happiness throughout an individual's life. Its primary focus is to minimize the occurrence of avoidable diseases. Secondary prevention is critical, namely the reducing the impact of a disease or injury that has already occurred, for example for people who have either received a chronic disease diagnosis or are at high risk of developing one. The primary aim here is not just to slow or halt the progression of an existing disease but to pre-emptively tackle potential health issues. This proactive approach prioritizes interventions that are timely and precise, ensuring that resources are utilized where they can have the most significant and beneficial impact.
Underpinning the health and dignity approach is a fundamental shift from traditional disease-focused healthcare models towards a more health-centric paradigm. This transition requires not just a change in mindset but also a strategic realignment of health budgets to ensure an equal emphasis on both preventative and curative measures. Incorporating the concept of the “cost of inaction” into broader health and economic decision-making processes is crucial. This shift is pertinent to address the strains faced by health systems of the Global North which, despite having abundant resources, continue to grapple with inefficiencies and challenges. Research suggests that a significant portion, around 30 percent, of the disease burden that these health systems currently manage could be avoided through more timely and effective interventions.
The approach requires systemic changes, such as calculating in the cost of inaction as an economic factor, and the allocation of health budgets equally between prevention and treatment. Clinical care is combined with lifestyle factors like physical activity, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and social interaction. It means leveraging advancements in technology, like high-tech primary care, data use, and new medical innovations, where they have the greatest impact. And it also means enabling a 4th Industrial Revolution in the field of health when it comes to data, digital functions, new biology, and smart materials.
The goal of our intense workshop is to transition from understanding the "what" to actualizing the "how" of the change required in Germany.
The workshop is invitation-only.
Registration for this event is closed.