44th Health Economics Association (AES) Conference: ‘Healthcare strategies for a global future: effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability’

The ageing population and the increase in chronic diseases have become challenges for any healthcare system. As demand for healthcare services increases due to these phenomena, healthcare providers face ever-greater difficulties. Among the difficulties in adapting to the new reality, the growing shortage of healthcare professionals stands out.
The divergence between supply and demand leads to an increase in waiting lists and waiting times for healthcare, with different consequences, both from the point of view of population health and the increase in inequalities generated in this context. The COVID pandemic, although now behind us, has exacerbated these challenges that threaten the sustainability of healthcare systems. Added to this are other important aspects to consider, such as climate change, environmental health and the revolution in healthcare technologies. In this regard, the emergence of artificial intelligence is shaping up to be one of the transformative elements for improving healthcare and resource allocation.
And in this same context, we must not forget the much-needed modernisation of the regulation of health technology assessment and the pharmaceutical sector in general, with new European regulations coming into force and new national regulations also on the way. In this complex framework, the challenge lies in designing public policies that promote effectiveness in improving the health of the population, efficiency in the use of resources to maximise results, and financial sustainability. The programme for the 44th Conference will address these challenges through plenary sessions and panel discussions that will seek to provide a global perspective with a programme of great scientific depth.
Matia is doing its bit with the participation of our colleague, Roberto Nuño, Matia Institute, in a panel discussion where he will talk about the convergence of value-based healthcare and person-centred care.