Over the last 18 months, the world has faced the greatest healthcare challenge of a generation. As we approach the final months of 2021, COVID-19 refuses to fade. On top of this, many healthcare systems are experiencing added challenges of growing waiting lists, postponed appointments, canceled operations and a delay in patients coming forward for treatment. There is no doubt that this will likely result in significant hidden healthcare costs in the longer term.
That said, the outlook going forward is more positive as the slight decline in healthcare spending in 2020 (Deloitte, 2020) has bounced back as governments and private providers are increasingly willing – and need – to invest heavily in healthcare provision, vaccine research and treatment in order to not only properly control the pandemic but boost their healthcare sectors.
Looking ahead, global healthcare spending is expected to steadily increase at a 3.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) (Deloitte, 2020), with relatively higher growth rates in Asia and Australasia, as well as in transitioning, rapidly developing economies in Central and Eastern Europe. Healthcare spending as a share of GDP is also expected to rise globally.
Drivers for the health sector include the usual suspects of population aging, clinical and technological advances and increasing demand for medical care. As global economies gradually recover from the adverse impacts of COVID-19, spending on healthcare provision is also expected to increase accordingly.
While COVID-19 has confirmed our vulnerability to communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and cancer have also continued to become more prevalent, especially given NCDs’ increasing morbidity rates. Hence, spending and investments on both pandemic-related research and these long-term conditions will continue to be crucial in furthering progress in medical technology and treatment.
In this newsletter, we explore three important trends in further detail: Care Model Innovation, Digital Innovation and a Renewed Focus on Health and Medical Research. Please read on below to find out more.
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