Industry Agenda Future of Healthy

The report argues that preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires a shift from a narrow healthcare focus to a cross-industry 'ecosystem of health'. It proposes a framework where 'health shapers' (governments, NGOs) create the economic and social conditions necessary for 'designers and deliverers' (private companies) to create viable, health-promoting products and services. The document emphasizes that the individual must be at the center of these ecosystems, driven by a self-reinforcing cycle of supply and demand influenced by habits, norms, and technology. It highlights mechanisms such as cost/benefit sharing and impact bonds to bridge the gap between short-term costs and long-term health payoffs.

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global crisis, with annual deaths projected to rise from 38 million currently to 52 million by 2030 and potentially 62 million by 2040.
• Mental ill-health is a primary driver of global health costs, with projections suggesting annual costs of $6 trillion by 2030, exceeding the combined costs of cancer, diabetes, and pulmonary diseases.
• The report proposes an 'ecosystem of health' architecture consisting of two primary roles: 'health shapers' who set standards and norms to make health outcomes viable, and 'designers/deliverers' who create the actual offerings.
• When returns on health (RoH) and returns on investment (RoI) are not naturally aligned, 'cost/benefit sharing' can be used to redistribute costs or benefits among stakeholders to unlock value.
• The 'consumerization of health' is a key trend shifting the model from B2B to B2C, transforming the passive patient into an active consumer who takes shared responsibility for their wellbeing.
• Digitization and the increase in analytical power are enabling personalized preventive medicine by integrating genomic data, electronic medical records (EMRs), and user-generated data from wearables.
• The 'Wellness Valley' in the Romagna region of Italy serves as a proof of concept for a health ecosystem, involving over 200 stakeholders to improve quality of life and boost the local economy.
• Innovative financing tools, specifically 'impact bonds', can bridge the gap between upfront investment and uncertain long-term health payoffs by compensating investors based on agreed outcome metrics.
• The report identifies that health-promoting work environments can provide a competitive advantage for businesses by boosting productivity and attracting talent, with some 'culture of health' companies outperforming the market.

APA

World Economic Forum (2016). Industry Agenda Future of Healthy. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Healthy_How_to_Realize_Returns_on_Health_2016.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Industry Agenda Future of Healthy. 2016. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Healthy_How_to_Realize_Returns_on_Health_2016.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Industry Agenda Future of Healthy |date=January 2016 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Healthy_How_to_Realize_Returns_on_Health_2016.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2016industry, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Industry Agenda Future of Healthy}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2016}, month = jan, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Healthy_How_to_Realize_Returns_on_Health_2016.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }