HTA for Health Systems Sustainability

Following discussions at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992 (ECO-92) and in subsequent global meetings, sustainability is now seen as the key issue facing mankind on the 21th century. Much of the debate has been around the sustainability of the climate and environment, but the sustainability of human systems also presents significant challenges. The HTAi 2011 Annual Meeting in Rio will focus on the sustainability of health care systems and the role of HTA in supporting this.

Demands on health care systems are increasing as populations grow and/or age, science advances and public expectations of health care and quality of life increase. Some new technologies address previously untreatable conditions, but often at high cost, and many of the main causes of global ill-health still lack effective treatments. Quality, equity and universal coverage access are of increasing concern in low and middle income as well as high income countries. At the same time, spending on health care is coming under increasing pressure and scrutiny.

A key component of sustainability is the appropriate use of technology and the allocation of resources to maximise the value obtained. HTA aims to provide all who make decisions with the information they need to do this in an evidence-based, scientifically valid, transparent accountable way. HTA is thus critical for the sustainability of healthcare systems.

HTA is increasingly being called upon by healthcare systems to support improvements in quality and coverage and to help them move towards sustainability. A number of HTA systems have developed around the world and made considerable progress, and others are planning such developments. But HTA as it is currently practised and used is not yet responding adequately to some of the key needs of health system decision makers, particularly in primary care, health promotion, health systems issues and public health. The science and practice of HTA need to evolve to tackle these challenges.

HTAi 2011 will address these and other key issues facing HTA through a range of parallel panel, workshops, oral and poster sessions, and three high profile Plenary Sessions:

I The challenge: Healthcare system sustainability in the 21th century
What are the challenges facing healthcare systems in the 21th century? How do these vary between high, middle and low income countries? What approaches are being taken to ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems? What is the role of HTA in sustainability?

II Progress: Case studies of HTA development and impact on healthcare systems
How is HTA developing and being used in countries within and beyond the Americas? What models have been developed and what impact are they having on health care delivery and health, and on wider issues such as costs, equity and access? Does it vary according to the health system (eg private versus public)?

III Next steps: Developing HTA for sustainable healthcare systems
How does HTA need to evolve to provide better support for the sustainability of healthcare systems? What role can and should it play in primary care, public health and health systems issues? What role can and should it play in low and middle income as well as high income countries? How can the culture of evidence-based decision making be promoted across society? What actions need to be taken to support these developments in HTA?

These and other themes will be explored in workshops, parallel sessions and other presentations throughout the conference.

Participation in this event will offer an ideal opportunity for delegates to learn, discuss and exchange experiences in search of better health practices.

All plenary sessions will be simultaneously translated into Portuguese and Spanish.