Future Health Systems at the International Health Economics Association Conference 2009

Future Health System participated in the International Health Economics Association meeting in Beijing in July 2009.

David Peters, Director of the Future Health Systems (FHS) Consortium said ‘The iHEA World Congress provides the premier forum for debate in the application of economics to health and health care systems internationally, and is a place where the Future Health Systems Research Consortium can focus attention on the concerns of the poor. The China Health Economics Institute (CHEI) – an FHS consortium partner – is co-hosting the biennial World Congress of iHEA, providing an opportunity to demonstrate how important health reforms and research are influencing health policy and programs to benefit the poor in this rapidly changing environment.’

The International Health Economics Association was formed to increase communication among health economists, foster a higher standard of debate in the application of economics to health and health care systems, and assist young researchers at the start of their careers.

Meeting the public
Future Health Systens had a strong presence with a large stand in a great position (thanks to Xiao Yue and the hard work of the China Health Economics Institute team). Everyone had to walk by us and all of our publications and flyers were snapped up. We have had many contributions to our blog from some of the FHS presenters.

www.flickr.com samcommsids' iHEA 2009, Beijing photoset

Communicating our work
A blog on the Eldis website allowed us to communicate with colleagues who were not attending and others in the broader development community.

The blog covered sessions on:

• The management of health systems in contexts of rapid social, economic and geopolitical change
• Vertical approaches which facilitate innovation
• Social franchising
• Perspectives from the private sector
• Evaluation of health systems interventions
• Health insurance
• Trust and social capital
• Health system stewardship
• The Paris Declaration and Zambia
• Strengthening health systems in Afghanistan
• Reducing maternal mortality

Anyone can sign up to view the blog and add their comments on the topics that were covered.

Our work was also covered by the Institute of Development Studies and the STEPS Centre blog, 'The Crossing.'

Proving guidance on the evidence base
Dr. David Bishai, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, edited an edition of the Eldis Health Reporter an email and online update that is disseminated to thousands of readers worldwide.

Powerpoint presentations from the International Health Economics Association Conference are now available online through SlideShare:
>> Cost Effectiveness of Misoprostol vs. Iron
>> Obstacles to maternity service use in Afghanistan: what do we know about cost, quality and access?
>>Building institutions for an effective health system
>>Evidence & Implementation of Strategies to Strengthen Health Services
>> Analysis of Inpatient Services Utilization by Wealth Classes Under the Linkage Between NCMS and MA : the Case of Three Counties in Rural China
>> The effects of user fees on quality and utilization of primary care services in Afghanistan

Some reflections from David Peters, Director of FHS on our work at iHEA 2009.

Health systems reporter: focus on health systems stewardship in Afghanistan