The Healthier Societies Initiative is a multifaceted, 5-year research program, which will include the following elements:
Analysis of Leading Economies
Researchers will conduct a longitudinal analysis of health care costs that compares different provinces and countries, looks at historical trends in various sectors within health care, and examines projections for the future. They will also document trends in health care and other social expenditures, and provide projections of the future size of health care expenditures versus expenditures on education, poverty, and other social programs. They will then systematically analyze the approaches taken by different provinces and countries to address health care costs and quality.
In-Depth Studies of Top Performers
The countries and approaches that have best combined cost control with good health outcomes will be identified. Ten of the most successful approaches will be selected for in-depth studies.
International Conferences and Training Opportunities
Two international conferences will be convened over the five-year period, bringing together academics, stakeholders and policy makers from around the world. Moreover, the initiative will involve training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Doctoral and postdoctoral trainees will be involved in the development of the data centre and in pursuing in-depth case studies of successful programs. The training will be designed to stimulate their understanding of innovative solutions and of the translation of research into policy.
The Healthier Societies Initiative will allow IHSP to combine new medical care and public health data with the data it has already gathered on the social conditions that affect health. Through its WoRLD Initiative, IHSP has gathered extensive data on policies relating to social determinants of health such as working conditions, education, legal rights and poverty. Together, the Healthier Societies Initiative and the WoRLD Initiative will form a comprehensive and unique compendium of data on social conditions, medical costs and health outcomes which will have a long-term impact on research, training, and policy.