Development of the health workforce and economic growth: what are the links?

Date:

Thursday, 27 June 2019

Time:

12.00pm – 1.00pm

Venue:

Tutorial Room 4, Level 9
Tahir Foundation Building (MD1)
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
National University of Singapore
12 Science Drive 2, S(117549)

Synopsis:

The defining purpose of the health system is to promote health, yet the health system brings additional benefits, both social (such as women’s empowerment) and economic (such as inclusive growth). Recent evidence characterizes the economic benefits of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as on the order of +2–4 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although it is clear that one of the key building blocks of a well-functioning health system is its human resources, the contribution of the health workforce to health, as well as to broader social and economic benefits, has been under-recognized. Related to this, working environments in health systems can limit the potential to realize the benefits of UHC, meaning not only health but also its broader social and economic benefits: in order to meet the challenges of the future of work, as well as delivering on Sustainable Development Goal targets for gender equality, inclusive economic growth, and improved health outcomes, traditional professional models of care need be replaced by an inter- and trans-professional approach based primarily on primary care teams.

About the speaker:

Jeremy has a bachelor’s degree (AB) in Mathematics and Philosophy from St John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, master’s degrees (MSc, MA) in Economics and Agricultural and in Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a doctorate (PhD) from Erasmus University Rotterdam on the use of economic evaluation for global health. Recently, Jeremy has been working on the economics of fiscal space for health workforce expansion, as well as on the synergies between the health system and the economy. Jeremy is currently engaged in a major project for WHO on the economics of fiscal policies to promote health. Jeremy will take up appointment as Professor of Management Science at Strathclyde University in Glasgow from February of 2020.