ITIC Global 2024 | The evolving international healthcare landscape

The ITIJ team have been reporting live from ITIC Global in Vienna this week (November 2024) sharing the discussions that took place at the conference. Read all reports

Hayley Hornby, Head of Healthcare and Network Contracting, Americas, Cigna Healthcare

According to Hornby, the global pandemic significantly shifted telemedicine models. She said that constant cybersecurity threats to business and increasing localisation are among the biggest areas of concern for the industry, while ever evolving regulations, rising medical costs and global conflict and unrest are also significant contributory factors.

To combat the rising cost of healthcare worldwide Hornby suggested implementing wellbeing initiatives, introducing cost containment measures, developing flexible medical plans and referring to healthcare analytics.

She went on to look at the key current global macro trends discerned by Cigna, which include a growing middle class, an ageing population, technological advances and personalisation.

Alongside these trends, she said the top global health trends that have emerged include healthcare cost inflation, demand for private solutions, stretched supply versus increased demand and, finally, industry reconfiguration.

Hornby considered how employers can mitigate costs, and noted that as medical costs continue to rise, wellbeing initiatives remain a top priority.

Defining Cigna’s vitality approach, she said that vitality is the capacity of an individual to thrive.

A 2023 Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study measured wellbeing across eight key aspects:

• Social
• Career
• Financial
• Intellectual
• Physical
• Spiritual
• Emotional
• Environmental.

According to the study, one in five respondents demonstrated high levels of vitality, with emotional or mental health being the most important indicator of overall vitality.

The research shows that 59% of employees wish they had more support from their employer to live a healthier life and 60% value time for themselves over a well-paid job. Importantly, 67% believe inflation is making it too hard to stay healthy.

Finally, looking ahead to 2025, Hornby said technological advancement, policy shifts and global healthcare challenges will be the key areas of focus.