Background

The strong link between good health and prosperity has been well documented. The WHO notes that good health “allows children to learn and adults to earn, helps people escape from poverty, and provides the basis for long-term economic development.” Conversely, ill health impairs productivity, hinders job prospects, and slows economic growth.

APEC is continuing to address the calls from APEC Leaders, Health and Finance Ministers and explore how new and innovative financing partnerships and mechanisms can support domestic efforts to build stronger and more resilient health systems, and improve people’s access to health services. This site was designed to catalog the various resources, case studies, policy recommendations and other materials and tools that have been developed through the APEC healthcare financing initiative.

APEC Leaders, Health, and Finance Ministers have stated the following:

2015 APEC Leaders Meeting

We recognize the importance of our health systems in promoting the development of human capital and inclusive growth and look forward to further work in 2016 to address the fiscal and economic impacts of ill-health.  2015 Leaders Declaration

2016 APEC Leaders Meeting

We look forward to further work on ways to address the fiscal and economic impacts of ill health. 2016 Leaders Declaration

2017 APEC Finance Ministers Meeting

We welcome the exploratory dialogues between senior finance officials, Life Science and Innovative Forum (LSIF) and Health Working Group (HWG) to address the fiscal and economic impacts of the steep rise in chronic disease and of ageing societies in APEC economies. We encourage further dialogue with interested economies to share best practices and explore innovative, sustainable health financing solutions. 2017 Finance Ministers Statement

2017 APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

In 2017, the APEC High Level Meeting on Health and the Economy  took on the theme of health care financing and focused on:

1. Prioritizing Health by Measuring Returns on Public Investments in Health
2. Mobilizing Resources for Health through Innovative Financing Mechanisms
   • Broadening the tax base and collection capacity
   • Health and Financial Literacy
   • Microinsurance
   • Private Health Insurance

2017 APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

2018 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

HLM8 reiterated the SDG sub-goal on health financing that aims to substantially increase health financing by 2030. Economies were encouraged to increase domestic funding for health by re-envisioning such commitments as investment cases and introducing innovative financing mechanisms, including private funding and external support. In implementing from a number of innovative and alternative health financing mechanisms that would leverage limited resources to expand health coverage, economies would take into account the absolute amounts needed to be raised, earmarking, potential regressively on the poor, administrative costs and political feasibility. Through successful stories of innovative ways APEC economies are using public and private financing, and enhancing a unified system of governance across primary care providers. HLM8 facilitated understanding of the policy and regulatory environments that facilitate successful novel financing schemes. HLM8 welcomed the continued partnership with the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process and the exploratory dialogue to address the fiscal and economic impacts of the steep rise in chronic disease and of ageing societies in APEC economies, while keeping the healthcare system sustainable.  2018 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

2019 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

HLM9 reiterated the need to ensure sufficient and sustainable domestic public spending on health care in light of the increasing burden of disease and aging populations in APEC economies. Elder care and, in particular, home care, should be considered as an investment to support continued independence and reduce spending on the aged. HLM9 reaffirmed the need for a whole-of-government and multisector approach and welcomed the continued collaboration between APEC Finance Ministers and the APEC Business Advisory Council to share best practices, better quantify the value of innovative medicines, and explore innovative health financing solutions and partnerships.  2019 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

2020 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

HLM10 affirmed that investments in health and a continued focus on evidence-based interventions can help to prevent, detect and respond to new waves of COVID-19 infection. This in turn enables economic recovery, minimizes the negative effects on livelihoods, and reduces the possibility of future pandemics. To support these efforts, HLM10 welcomed continued collaboration with the APEC Finance Ministers Process and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to explore the use of innovative and alternative financing models to expand access to pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and medical products and services. 2020 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

2021 High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy

HLM11 reaffirmed the importance of sustainable investments in prevention and preparedness and of incorporating issues of health equity into funding decisions. This recognizes that the adoption of a health equity approach supports inclusive economic growth, by building social and human capital. We also noted the various ways in which economies can increasingly deploy inclusive, creative, and sustainably managed funding and financing models to strengthen the resiliency of health systems and our region’s preparedness for health emergencies. This in turn accelerates economic recovery, mitigates the negative impacts on livelihoods, and reduces the possibility of future pandemics. We recognize that health resiliency should be regarded as a strategic asset for economies to invest in now and the future.

To support these efforts, HLM11 welcomed enhancing collaboration with the APEC Finance Ministers Process and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to explore the use of innovative and alternative funding and financing models to expand access to medical products and services. 2021 High-Level Meeting on Health and Economy