Tips for Improving Public Health Infrastructure

As a physician and advocate, I've seen the stark realities of healthcare inequality up close. It's a multifaceted challenge, deeply rooted in socioeconomic disparities, systemic barriers, and historical injustices. Yet, it's not insurmountable. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the collective will to forge a more equitable future in healthcare. The path forward involves a holistic approach: 1️⃣Embrace Preventative Care: Early intervention can prevent conditions from escalating into serious diseases. Community-based health education and accessible preventative services are key. 2️⃣Expand Telehealth: Telehealth can transcend geographic and transportation barriers, making healthcare accessible for all, but we must ensure it's equitably deployed. 3️⃣Diversify the Healthcare Workforce: A workforce that reflects the diversity of the population it serves can improve patient outcomes and trust. 4️⃣Advocate for Policy Change: Systemic change is essential. We need policies that ensure universal healthcare access and tackle the social determinants of health. Change won't happen overnight, but each step brings us closer to a healthcare system defined by its inclusivity and equity. Let's work together to make healthcare a right, not a privilege. #HealthcareEquity #SystemicChange #PreventativeCare #Telehealth #DiversityInMedicine #PolicyChange

Time for Common Sense: It's Health Systems, Not Health Silos I have addressed this issue previously, and I am sure I will again! This time, my interest was piqued by reports of African public sector hospitals ceasing services due to drug shortages or a lack of personnel. Simultaneously, there is rightly growing discussion about preparing for the next pandemic (let's not forget that Non-Communicable Diseases [NCDs] are already a pandemic!). Health system planning should no more be the focus of siloed stakeholder influenced programmatic thinking, as it can ultimately results in inefficiency, duplication, and increased costs. Collectively, we need to support health systems by placing the patient at the center and examining the constituent parts together, acknowledging their direct and indirect impact. Here are some examples: Payment Structure: Out-of-pocket payments restrict access. More financial coverage is required. Governments must determine what they can afford. Greater value from each dollar spent is essential. Access Points: Primary care, due to its proximity to the patient, is the ideal solution and can drive prevention and early detection. However, primary care should not be isolated within programs. We should focus on building comprehensive primary care, integrating digitization and embracing diagnostics. Referrals: Primary care alone is not sufficient for those with pre-existing conditions. We must decide where hospital services should be located and how patients can access them, while also addressing payment issues. Staffing: Building healthcare services requires a competent workforce. Staffing planning and training must align with delivery needs. Access to Medicines and Supplies: Ensuring providers have proper access to drugs and consumables is essential. Better demand planning and improved supply chain distribution channels should complement service organization. Local Production: To improve access to affordable medicines and consumables, we need better forecasting and access to data to inform production based on demand. This will help inform what can be made in country. Data Utilization: Historically, there has been a focus on individual programs, resulting in a data mess. We need integrated data analysis to drive synergies and efficiencies. Embracing Digital: Implementing digital health and disruptive technology correctly can catalyze change. System-wide strategy should guide its use to maximize benefits with limited funding. Equipment and Servicing: While more medical equipment is required, successful implementation depends on training and in-country servicing at a reasonable cost. Regulation Alignment: Health policy needs to be updated to support strategy and all the aspects mentioned above. As we transition into an era of pandemic preparedness and required change, let's not continue with siloed programmatic influenced thinking. Let's embrace integrated health system planning. The timing couldn't be more opportune.

🚨 The Urgent Need for Healthcare Policy Reform in the U.S. 🚨 Despite being one of the most advanced healthcare systems globally, the U.S. still struggles with significant access issues. Over 25 million Americans remain uninsured, and millions face barriers due to high costs, workforce shortages, and inequities in care. The time for bold, data-driven policy change is now. What needs to happen? ✅ Expand Insurance Coverage States expanding Medicaid have shown better health outcomes and reduced financial burdens. Let’s make this universal. ✅ Leverage Telehealth Telehealth surged during the pandemic, breaking barriers for rural and underserved communities. Policies ensuring permanent reimbursement parity and interstate licensure are vital. ✅ Address Workforce Shortages A projected 124,000 physician gap by 2034 is alarming. Investments in training, residency funding, and rural incentives can alleviate this. ✅ Regulate Drug Pricing Pharmaceutical costs are the highest in the world. Expanding Medicare’s drug negotiation could save $100 billion in 10 years and reduce patient out-of-pocket costs. ✅ Advance Health Equity From racial disparities in maternal mortality to geographic challenges in rural care, equity-focused programs can deliver life-changing impacts. ✅ Shift to Value-Based Care Focusing on outcomes, not volume, could reduce costs by $1.9 trillion over 10 years, improving chronic care and prevention. ✅ Strengthen Public Health Systems The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our public health infrastructure. Investing in preparedness, workforce, and disease surveillance is non-negotiable. Why It Matters: Healthcare isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about empowering lives. These reforms are not mere wish lists—they are imperatives for a healthier, more equitable America. It’s time for policymakers, providers, and stakeholders to collaborate and act. The health of millions depends on it. #HealthcareReform #AccessToCare #HealthEquity #PolicyChange #ValueBasedCare

Now is Not the Time to Mourn (Even Though It's Tempting to Do So) With the U.S. stepping back from its long-standing leadership in global public health, we all feel a sense of tremendous loss. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it's that resilience and innovation thrive in the face of disruption. When COVID-19 upended traditional ways of working, we adapted—fast. And in doing so, we discovered tools and methods that didn’t just fill gaps—they transformed how we collaborate, communicate, and deliver care: Digital Platforms broke down geographic barriers, allowing us to reach communities in real-time while slashing travel and overhead costs. Telehealth and Mobile Health Tools became lifelines in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, bringing services directly to people’s phones. Behavioral Science unlocked powerful ways to influence health behaviors, from boosting vaccine uptake to reducing mental health stigma. The question now is: How do we keep this momentum going? 1. Leverage Digital Tools for Cost-Efficient Collaboration The shift to virtual trainings and workshops proved we can deliver high-impact learning without the expense of travel. This opens the door to more frequent, inclusive, and scalable partnerships across Sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Expand Telehealth and Mobile Health Solutions In SSA, simple tools like SMS reminders, WhatsApp health updates, and mobile data collection became critical for delivering public health messages, tracking disease outbreaks, and ensuring continuity of care. These low-cost, scalable solutions have the potential to permanently bridge healthcare gaps. 3. Empower Community-Led Interventions The pandemic highlighted the power of local leadership. When global supply chains and international aid were disrupted, community health workers and local organizations became the backbone of response efforts. Their deep understanding of local norms and behaviors allowed for culturally sensitive interventions that resonated with communities. 4. Maximize Cost-Efficiency Through Virtual Collaboration The move to virtual meetings and events didn’t just help us survive—it made us more agile and connected. By cutting down on overhead costs, we can reinvest those resources into strengthening public health systems where they’re needed most. The global health landscape has suffered a major setback. It should drive us to embrace what we've gained. The tools and strategies we developed during the pandemic aren’t just temporary fixes—they’re the foundation of a more resilient, sustainable public health future. What innovative strategies have you seen emerge from the pandemic that we should continue to build on? #GlobalHealth #BehavioralScience #DigitalInnovation #TelehealthAfrica #SouthSouthCollaboration #PublicHealthAfrica #ResilientHealthSystems #PostPandemicInnovation

McKinsey & Company outlines a comprehensive strategy to improve the health and productivity of Americans by adopting a #holistic approach to #health. By prioritizing healthy longevity, reducing administrative waste, and fostering innovation, U.S. can extend healthy lifespans, reduce healthcare costs, and create a more productive and equitable society. ➡️ Focus on Healthy Longevity and Access to Healthcare - While Americans are living longer (average lifespan increased from 47 years in 1900 to 78 years in 2022), half of those years are spent in poor health. - The aging population and declining fertility rates will soon result in more older adults than children in the U.S., creating both challenges and opportunities. - Improving healthy longevity could add about six high-quality years per person globally and boost U.S. GDP by up to 6.7% by encouraging older adults’ workforce participation. - Eight avenues to promote healthy longevity include: societal participation, scientific research, prevention-focused healthcare, accessible infrastructure (housing, transportation, education), public safety, financial security, technology-enabled healthcare, and consumer wellness products. - Women face significant health disparities, with lower life expectancy and more years spent in poor health, especially among rural and minority populations. Addressing maternal health and access in underserved areas is critical. ➡️ Reduce Duplication and Administrative Waste - U.S. healthcare system is burdened by administrative inefficiencies, such as redundant paperwork and poor coordination among stakeholders. Solutions include: - Strengthening core administrative processes (claims, enrollment, scheduling) with automation and AI. - Building patient-friendly digital services (telehealth, appointment reminders, cost transparency). - Enhancing coordination among payers, providers, and regulators through data sharing and interoperable systems, reducing redundant services and gaps in care. ➡️ Drive Innovation and Better Outcomes in Healthcare - Shift toward patient-centered, resilient healthcare relies on: Expanding at-home and virtual care to improve satisfaction and reduce costs. - Leveraging AI and advanced medical technologies for better diagnosis, treatment, and data analysis. - Streamlining drug development to lower costs and improve access. Emphasizing outcome-based programs and data-driven decision-making can reduce disease burden and improve resource allocation. - Closing the women’s health gap requires better data collection, research on women-specific conditions, evidence-based clinical guidelines, improved affordability and access, and more women in leadership roles. - Public education on holistic health and interdisciplinary care can empower individuals to make informed health decisions and maintain independence later in life. Gretchen Berlin | Jessica Kahn | Katherine Linzer | Pranay Gupta

Digital health transformation is not about technology alone—it’s about laying strong foundations for lasting impact. The recent special issue of the World Health Organization Bulletin #DigitalHealth #Transformation, brings critical #insights into the #challenges and #opportunities ahead. I was particularly struck by Alain Labrique’s piece, “From infrastructure to impact: why foundations matter in digital health.” His argument is clear: without solid #digital #public #infrastructure —#interoperable #datasystems, digital identity, payment rails—no amount of cutting-edge #technology will sustainably improve #healthoutcomes. We’ve seen it play out in real time. During #COVID-19, countries with strong #digital #health #governance adapted rapidly. Others, despite having access to #innovative tools, struggled due to #fragmented #healthsystems and weak investment in #localcapacity. This wasn’t a failure of technology but a failure of #policy, #investment, and #strategic foresight. I’ve spent my career working in and with low- and middle-income countries (#LMICs), where health systems are often #underfunded and inefficient. Too often, #healthworkers — the backbone of any health system—are left out of digital transformation strategies. How can we expect a rural clinician or a nurse to integrate #AIdriven #diagnostics when they lack #electricity, #connectivity, or even basic #training on #digitaltools? The reality is: digital transformation must be #holistic. It requires #politicalwill, #longterm, #sustainable #funding, and a whole-of-society approach to build systems that are interoperable, #equitable, and responsive to #publichealth needs. We must stop treating #digitalhealth as an add-on and start investing in it as critical health infrastructure. So, what will it take to truly bridge the #digitaldivide in health? I'm inspired by many #innovators who are working tirelessly to develop and implement digital #solutions and deliver real #impact for underserved #communities. Now it's up to us to keep pushing for smart, equity-driven investments that don’t just digitize outdated systems but reimagine how care is delivered. I still believe that by doing so, we can unlock the full potential of digital health in LMICs and to underserved populations across the globe. #GlobalHealth #HealthSystems #DigitalTransformation #EquityInHealth #AIforGood #UHC #HealthforAll #ImpactInvesting #InvestingforImpact #healthtech https://lnkd.in/gktfC-87