- Online, mobile and digital tools are thought to have the most potential of all new technologies
- 32% of executives saw higher productivity and reduced absenteeism in their workforce as a result of their health programmes
- 99% of private and public sector respondents said governmental investment in a population’s health needs was either important (37%) or very important (62%)
A report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) indicates that the cost of healthcare is a concern for members of the business community and public sector/NGO workers across the world.
The report Financing the future: Choices and challenges in global health, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, explores the social and economic impact of public health. It assesses the importance of preventive care and cost containment, the role of health on employee wellness and productivity, and how innovations in healthcare are changing the medical landscape.
A survey conducted by the EIU in May and June 2015, which forms part of the research, found that improving people’s quality of life was seen as a key motivator to establishing a healthy society (32%) while promoting a healthy workforce came second at 31%. Cost was a key issue, and two-fifths (39%) of respondents saw it as the most pressing challenge for their countries to address.
Respondents felt that consumer technologies, such as online, mobile and digital tools, would have the greatest impact on well-being—even more so than personalised medicine, nanoscience, and medical robotics, where there have been significant advances.
Frieda Klotz, the editor of the report, said:
"The benefits of a healthy society are pretty clear to both governments and businesses. But high quality care does not come cheap and costs are rising. New technology can help tackle financial constraints, but cannot be relied on to come up with all the answers."
Press enquiries:
Mathew Hanratty, corporate communications manager
+44 (0)20 7576 8546
[email protected]
Frieda Klotz, editor
+1 646 269 4238
[email protected]
Notes to editors
About The Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at www.eiu.com or www.twitter.com/theeiu.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world one person at a time inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson, a company that embraces research and science—bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. The approximately 128,000 employees at more than 265 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.
