World Health Summit 2022 – Securing Global Health for the Socio-Economic Transformation

Our economic system puts an excessive focus on generating economic wealth. Success is measured by profits or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, typically directing investment to activities with the largest economic returns, while the social and environmental impact only plays a subordinate role. This focus exacerbates social inequality in developed as well as in developing countries. And yet social wellbeing – which can be defined as being embedded in a community (solidarity) and having the opportunity to shape one’s own fate (agency) – is vital for countries to manage global and local challenges, such as pandemics or climate change. We need a socio-economic transformation for an economy that supports social well-being. Good health is one of the pillars of social prosperity. Thus, public health systems play a critical role in this transformation. Improving global health to support the socio-economic transformation will require a collective effort from government, the private sector, and civil society. At the global level, cross-border health challenges – such as infectious diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and environmental pollution – demand a strong commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. The international community needs to collectively address health equity, including low- and middle-income countries. © World Health Summit