As the healthcare sector emerges as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, health economics offers a pathway to sustainable, climate-resilient healthcare. Through evidence-based strategies, the sector can reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality care.
The intersection of healthcare and environmental impact is gaining attention as the sector confronts its substantial role in climate change. If considered a country, global healthcare would rank as the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, primarily due to energy consumption, transportation, and the lifecycle of medical products. For instance, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) alone is responsible for approximately 4% of the country’s total emissions, with pharmaceuticals contributing significantly to its carbon footprint.
Addressing this issue requires a systemic overhaul of how healthcare is delivered, focusing on sustainability without compromising quality. Health economics is emerging as a crucial discipline in this transformation, offering tools to optimise resource allocation, evaluate cost-effectiveness, and ensure equitable access to care. By identifying inefficiencies and promoting preventive measures, health economics can reduce the sector’s environmental impact and enhance patient outcomes.
The recent launch of the Change Initiative by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) exemplifies this approach. This global collaboration aims to apply economic insights to develop evidence-based solutions that mitigate healthcare’s environmental footprint. Key strategies include prioritising preventive care to reduce the need for resource-intensive treatments and incentivizing green healthcare practices through financial rewards and performance-based metrics tied to environmental outcomes.
As the healthcare sector faces increasing pressures from climate change and budget constraints, the integration of health economics into policy-making is essential. This approach not only supports the immediate health of populations but also safeguards future generations in a warming world.
