Davos 2024: Accelerating Health Policy Responses to Climate, Women, and Digitalization

In a crucial dialogue at the World Economic Forum‘s Annual Meeting in Davos, world leaders are set to address urgent health challenges stemming from the climate crisis, gender disparities, and the transformative power of digital tools.

At COP28’s first Health Day in December, the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared the climate crisis as a health crisis. With 2023 marking the hottest year on record, the WHO warns that over a third of the global population resides in climate-vulnerable areas, anticipating a surge in health-related burdens.

This year’s Davos agenda prioritizes key sessions and reports, emphasizing the intersection of climate change, women’s health, and digital healthcare transformation. Among the notable sessions:

1. “When Climate Impacts Your Health” (Tuesday, 16 January, 9:30 CET): A discussion on mitigating the health impacts of the climate crisis, featuring Brazil’s Minister of Health, Nisia Trindade Lima.
2. “Open Forum: Medicine and Women” (Tuesday, 16 January, 12:30 CET): Exploring gender research’s future and its applications in research, prevention, and care.
3. “Fixing Healthcare, Digitally” (Wednesday, 17 January, 13:15 CET): Examining how digital transformation and AI can revolutionize healthcare, with insights from Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, Paula Ingabire.
4. “Closing the Gender Gap in Health” (Wednesday, 17 January, 16:15 CET): Discussing actions and commitments needed to achieve gender health parity, featuring India’s Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani.

Additionally, reports to be launched during the event include:

1. “Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health” (Tuesday, 16 January): Analyzing climate-driven events’ health impacts, from floods to rising sea levels.
2. “Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity” (Wednesday, 17 January): Examining economic implications and proposing solutions for the women’s health gap.
3. “Transforming Healthcare: Navigating Digital Health” (Notable report): Addressing pressures on the global healthcare system, including workforce shortages, rising costs, and chronic diseases.
4. “Patient-First Health with Generative AI” (Notable white paper): Showcasing promising use cases for patient-facing generative AI solutions and addressing barriers to adoption.

As the world faces a critical juncture in health and sustainability, Davos 2024 seeks to forge actionable solutions, fostering global collaboration and commitment towards a healthier future. Stay tuned for updates throughout the week.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The official website of World Economic Forum