{"id":3961,"date":"2017-01-20T14:29:08","date_gmt":"2017-01-20T14:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/H20-Communique-FINAL-for-distribution.pdf"},"modified":"2017-01-20T14:29:08","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T14:29:08","slug":"h20-communique-final-for-distribution-2","status":"inherit","type":"attachment","link":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/h20-communique-final-for-distribution-2\/","title":{"rendered":"H20-Communique-FINAL-for-distribution"},"author":2,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":[],"description":{"rendered":"

H20-Communique-FINAL-for-distribution<\/a><\/p>\n

H20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nThe H20 International Health Summit (H20)
\n13 – 14 November 2014
\nHotel Windsor, Melbourne, Australia
\nCommunique
\n_______________________________________________________
\n1. We, the attendees at the inaugural H20 International Health Summit (H20), met on 13
\nth
\nand 14
\nth
\nNovember 2014 at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. The event was co-hosted
\nby the World Medical Association, the Australian Medical Association and AMA Victoria
\nand welcomed health professionals, academics and thought leaders to discuss a wide
\nrange of health and related social issues on the eve of the G20 Leaders\u2019 Summit in
\nBrisbane. Topics included \u2018health as a wise investment\u2019, the burden of non-
\ncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the social determinants of health and the health
\neffects of climate change.
\n2. We congratulate Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AO, Chair of Council of the World Medical
\nAssociation, Dr Tony Bartone, President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), and
\nProf Brian Owler, President of the AMA Victoria, for their initiative and tireless efforts in
\norganising the Summit and the professionals and staff responsible for its success. We
\nalso thank the sponsors and supporters of the H2O, including the Victorian Government,
\nAvant Mutual Group, BOQ Specialist, CSL, Global Health, MDA National, Medibank Private,
\nMelbourne Pathology, NAB Health, Telstra Health and TressCox Lawyers.
\n3. We challenge the common assumption that health spending in Australia is unduly high
\nor unsustainable. However, given rising public expectations and ongoing fiscal
\nconstraints, we believe that health systems must explore more effective ways to
\ncollaborate and target resources to prevent illness and deliver better health outcomes
\nfor all. New funding models should reward outcomes rather than activities, while
\nmodern data collection and analysis should generate insights into population health
\ndynamics. A health system focused on patients and outcomes, rather than suppliers
\nand processes, offers exciting opportunities for the future.
\n4. We forward this statement to the G20 leaders to underline the case for investing in
\nhealth as \u2018the greatest social capital\u2019. We call for a global effort across sectors to
\ntackle the world\u2019s most pressing health challenges through a renewed focus on
\npreventative care, holistic government policy and the social determinants of health.
\nWe present the following summary of Summit proceedings and recommendations to
\nfurther inform the debate.
\n1
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nHealth is the Foundation of Economic Growth
\n5. Health is the foundation of economic growth, yet has been omitted from the global
\nG20 agenda. While the Brisbane G20 Summit pursued goals of economic stability and
\ngrowth, the H20 emphasised the economic, social and personal importance of public
\nhealth and health investment. It argued that economics and health are not discrete,
\nclearly bounded domains, but are intimately connected and dependent on each other
\nfor success. Poor health reduces economic productivity, increases social costs and
\naffects individual quality of life. Adequate investment in health is therefore a
\nprerequisite of national and global economic success.
\nHealth in Victoria
\n6. Victoria enjoys high standards of healthcare service, although issues of poor
\nindigenous health remain. Commercial opportunities and improved health outcomes
\nare generated by the State\u2019s world-class research institutions and their professional
\nand academic partnerships. Victoria has also invested in improving the health of
\nrefugees in recent years. Moving forward, the funding responsibilities between federal
\nand state governments should be clarified, primary and preventative care improved and
\nthe flow of patient information facilitated by modern technology. Victoria has a strong
\nrecord of public health promotion and its Healthy Together Victoria programme
\n1
\nis
\nencouraging positive lifestyles in schools and communities around the State.
\nHealth as a Wise Investment
\n7. Public health spending should be reframed as a wise investment in economic growth
\nand social equity. Australia\u2019s health spending remains marginally below the
\nOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average and its
\nhealth system, although complex, is held in high regard. However, an ageing
\npopulation, growing patient expectations and technological developments are
\nincreasing budget pressure, and more efficient pathways must be sought.
\nThe USA has worse outcomes than other OECD nations despite spending significantly
\nmore, for example, and debate should focus on the quality and effectiveness of budget
\nallocations, rather than obsess about aggregate figures or the number of hospital beds.
\nGovernments must acknowledge and address the social determinants of health in the
\nnation as a whole, as well as indigenous communities. The AMA supports universal
\naccess to affordable health care and will continue defending the current health system.
\nThe \u2018creative dissatisfaction\u2019 of health professionals should be harnessed through
\nmeaningful consultation with policy makers to produce broadly supported reforms.
\n1
\nhttp:\/\/www.health.vic.gov.au\/prevention\/healthytogether.htm
\n2
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nHealth Research
\n8. Every $1 invested in Australian health research generates $2.17 in health benefits and
\ncommercial returns
\n2
\n. Research has produced breakthroughs in global health, not least
\nin the fight against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Research aggregates
\na range of basic, clinical, social and operational approaches and, alongside better
\npublic health provision, will help combat new infectious threats spreading through
\nglobal connections. Investment in multidisciplinary medical research and effective
\npartnerships should remain a spending priority, with the bionic eye exemplifying what it
\ncan achieve.
\nValue-Based Health Care
\n9. Measuring and reporting patient outcomes to the individual physicians responsible
\npresents a powerful tool to improve personal, and therefore national, medical
\nperformance. While discussions of cost immediately divide funders and services down
\npredictable and intractable lines, a focus on outcomes aligns the interests of all
\nstakeholders. The standardisation of outcome measurement builds evidence to support
\nlong-term planning and enables international comparisons and the adoption of best
\npractice.
\nGlobal Health and Investment
\n10. Economic growth has improved global health, and countries such as China have made
\nsignificant strides, although spending in South Africa has been less effective.
\nCorruption and maladministration must also be acknowledged and tackled around the
\nworld to maximise budget outcomes. Australian aid strengthens health services in the
\nAsia-Pacific region to improve health, growth and stability. The Red Cross faces
\nincreasing violence and harassment in its work in conflict zones, and the security of
\nhealth workers and facilities must be strengthened for its mission to succeed. World
\nleaders must prioritise \u2018the health perspective\u2019, preserve the health of the planet as well
\nas its inhabitants and address the underlying social determinants of health.
\n2
\nAccess Economics, 2008. Exceptional Returns: The value of Investing in Health R&D in Australia II.,
\nhttp:\/\/www.asmr.org.au\/Publications.html
\n3
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nAustralian Support for Foreign Health Systems
\n11. The Australian Government\u2019s aid program promotes Australian interests by encouraging
\nsustainable economic growth to reduce poverty in the Indo-Pacific. A stress on
\naccountability and outcomes strengthens its effectiveness. Australia also provides
\nassistance to Africa and elsewhere and has pledged $42 to international efforts against
\nEbola
\n3
\n. The Government integrated AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs and
\nTrade in 2013, aligning the aid and diplomatic arms of Australia\u2019s international policy
\nagenda. Australian aid includes goods and services such as building health clinics and
\nimmunising children, strengthening local services, including health care, and encouraging
\npolicy dialogue and reform. It works with government partners, funds non-government
\norganisations (NGOs) and contributes to international agencies.
\nThe Social Determinants of Health
\n12. Health outcomes are significantly affected by wider social factors, including early
\nchildhood development, income inequality, social stratification, workplace and domestic
\nstress, social exclusion and discrimination, unemployment, community networks,
\nsubstance abuse and the affordability of good food, housing and transportation. A
\nsustained bi-partisan effort to improve public health must produce long-term investment
\nin education, training, public transport and other infrastructure, instead of \u2018micro-
\nshuffling\u2019 health administration. Collaboration between government departments is vital
\nas synergies from transport, housing, utilities and education can significantly improve \u2013
\nor degrade \u2013 public health.
\nHealth Care Reform
\n13. Given rising demand and economic strictures, health providers must embrace the
\ntechnological and organisational innovations transforming other commercial sectors to
\ndeliver better patient outcomes at lower cost. Consideration of horizontal connections,
\nrather than in-depth analysis of isolated components, will offer many opportunities for
\nchange. Health must learn from modern commerce and offer personalised, customised
\nservices responsive to individual needs in a new world of technologically driven
\ncommunication, competition and choice.
\n3
\nhttp:\/\/foreignminister.gov.au\/releases\/Pages\/2014\/jb_mr_141128.aspx
\n4
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nHealth IT
\n14. The collection and analysis of Big Data will improve service planning and individual
\ndelivery while imbedded and wearable devices will help individuals achieve \u2018the
\nquantified self\u2019. Supply-driven systems based on procedures, hospitalisations and
\nclinicians will evolve into e-enabled platforms, organised around the patient experience,
\nwhich prize value and outcomes, drive down costs and improve safety and
\naccountability. IT solutions should be designed and implemented in consultation with
\nthe clinicians who will use them to ensure their support and exploit the power,
\nconvenience and ubiquity of smartphones and mobile devices.
\nNon-Communicable Diseases (NCD)
\n15. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular complaints, cancers, chronic
\nrespiratory failure and diabetes cause over 60% of global mortality
\n4
\n. The NCD epidemic
\nthreatens service sustainability and population health in Australia and around the world.
\nNCDs can be caused or exacerbated by tobacco, physical inactivity, alcohol misuse and
\nunhealthy diets, but rather than blame patients for lifestyle choices, attention must be
\ngiven to the social determinants which drive them. Greater emphasis on primary care and
\nhealth literacy will reduce the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and other problems,
\nwhile structured care plans and clinician teamwork will reduce avoidable admissions to
\nhospital. Action against smoking has been effective, and disinvestment in tobacco shares
\nby Australia\u2019s superfunds should be pursued.
\nMental Health
\n16. No condition is as prevalent, persistent or has the range of personal and social impacts
\nas mental illness. Early interventions and effective treatment must be complemented by
\npolicies to address social inequality and other exacerbating factors. Improved
\nprofessional training and both universal and targeted interventions should be delivered
\nthrough a sustained and coordinated cross-government approach in partnership with
\nNGOs and communities.
\n4
\nWorld Health Organization (WHO) NCD Surveillance strategy; http:\/\/www.who.int\/ncd_surveillance\/strategy\/en\/
\n5
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nSuccessful Ageing and Dementia
\n17. The pursuit of \u2018successful ageing\u2019 could increase the quality of life and sustain the
\nworkforce productivity of Australia\u2019s ageing population while reducing disability and
\nhospital expenses. Dementia is an increasing issue, but its incidence can be reduced
\nthrough better health in youth and middle age, while the experience of suffers can be
\neased by better care and more community understanding. Dementia is not an inevitable
\npart of ageing, and research into its causes and treatment must be pursued.
\nHealth and Climate Change
\n18. Human health and modern society rely on a stable climate and biologically diverse
\nenvironment. Clinicians should therefore use their expertise and the respect in which
\nthey are held to urge prompt and decisive international action to reduce carbon
\nemissions and limit the extent and impact of climate change. Australia and other
\nnations can maintain economic growth while \u2018decarbonising\u2019 their economies through
\nthe electrification of transport, greater energy efficiency, the replacement of coal with
\nrenewable sources and reforestation. Enlightened urban planning can also reduce heat
\nstress and encourage physical activity, improving the state of both the planet and its
\never growing population.
\n6
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\nKey Recommendations for Change
\n\u2022 Government should acknowledge health spending as a wise investment in future economic
\ngrowth and social equity.
\n\u2022 Health care systems should be organised around the patient experience, prioritise
\noutcomes rather than activities, drive down costs and improve quality and safety. New
\nconsumer-centric health services should deliver equity, choice, autonomy, confidentiality
\nand the local provision of services, as well as the highest standards of care.
\n\u2022 Decision makers should put a greater emphasis on primary and preventative care to limit the
\nincidence and severity of chronic disease and reduce acute admissions and hospital expenses.
\n\u2022 Health care systems should pursue excellence and effectiveness, as well as efficiencies. There
\nshould be clear funding responsibilities to avoid duplication of services and minimise unmet
\nneed.
\n\u2022 All government policies should consider their impact on health and coordinate to support
\npublic health. Cross-departmental action on the social determinants of health, from income
\ninequality to poor housing and transport, will improve the health and social outcomes for
\ndisadvantaged citizens and social groups.
\n\u2022 Health literacy should be promoted to empower citizen lifestyle choices regarding diet,
\nexercise, smoking, alcohol and related issues. Public health campaigns should broaden
\ntheir scope and magnify their impact.
\n\u2022 Action must be taken to improve the prevention and treatment of non-communicable
\ndiseases through improving the social determinants of health for disadvantaged social
\ngroups and strengthening provision and collaboration in primary care.
\n\u2022 \u2018Successful ageing\u2019 should be promoted across sectors to reduce the personal toll and
\ngrowing social costs of dementia in Australia\u2019s ageing society. Further research into the
\ncauses and treatment of dementia must be pursued.
\n\u2022 Action to tackle mental health issues should include greater funding for research, public
\neducation and early intervention.
\n\u2022 Clinicians should be consulted in the design and implementation of health IT and
\nembrace its potential to gather, aggregate, analyse and share information to improve
\npatient health outcomes and public health provision and efficiency.
\n\u2022 The \u2018creative dissatisfaction\u2019 of health professionals should be harnessed through
\nmeaningful consultation with policy makers to produce broadly supported reforms.
\n\u2022 Investment in health research should be prioritised to unlock rich commercial
\nopportunities for the nation as well as dramatically improve health outcomes in a range
\nof domestic and global health issues.
\n7
\nH20HEALTH SUMMIT
\nINTERNATIONAL
\n13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne
\n\u2022 Modern methods of Big Data collection and analysis should be encouraged to generate
\ninsights into population health dynamics.
\n\u2022 Surgical and other patient outcomes should be discussed with the clinicians responsible
\nto improve standards and ensure the use of best practice. Standardisation of outcome
\nmeasurements will support long-term planning and allow national and international
\ncomparisons to be made.
\n\u2022 Government should support international efforts to tackle newly emerging infectious
\nthreats such as Ebola as they pose a serious cross-border threat in today\u2019s globalised
\nsociety. Developed nations should work to strengthen government, growth and public
\nhealth systems in low-income countries to improve their resilience and health provision.
\n\u2022 Governments, military organisations and non-state actors should agree and respect
\neffective measures to safeguard the security of emergency health workers in combat zones.
\n\u2022 Donor and recipient governments and supra-national organisations must acknowledge and
\ntackle corruption and maladministration in the provision of health services in the
\ndeveloping and more developed world.
\n\u2022 Heath professionals should organise and campaign for state and national health reform and
\nbroad social change, as well as take concrete action in their local communities.
\n\u2022 Medical professionals should understand the potential health impacts of man-made climate
\nchange and lobby for effective action to reduce carbon emissions worldwide and protect
\nthe biosphere humanity relies upon.
\n8<\/p>\n"},"caption":{"rendered":"

H20-Communique-FINAL-for-distribution H20HEALTH SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL 13 & 14 November 2014 \u2022 Melbourne The H20 International Health Summit (H20) 13 – 14 November 2014 Hotel Windsor, Melbourne, Australia Communique _______________________________________________________ 1. We, the attendees at the inaugural H20 International Health Summit (H20), met on 13 th and 14 th November 2014 at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. […]<\/p>\n"},"alt_text":"","media_type":"file","mime_type":"application\/pdf","media_details":{},"post":null,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/H20-Communique-FINAL-for-distribution.pdf","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3961"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/attachment"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wma.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3961"}]}}