Davos 2024: A Pivotal Moment for Asia’s Future

As an individual deeply invested in advancing health care and championing women’s health, this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, in my opinion, was a pivotal platform for Asian leaders to showcase achievements and address pressing issues. From harnessing technology to rectifying social disparities, this year’s discussions underscored the urgency of creating resilient and sustainable health systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst technical recessions. 

Although there has been some progress, Southeast  Asia still faces challenges with gender inequality and women empowerment. A report by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2022 shows that the female advantage in life expectancy at birth in Asia currently averaged five years (77.3 years for females vs. 72.3 years for males). The feminization of Asia’s rapidly aging population pronounces the unmet needs in women’s health in the region as lower mortality results in more people living to older ages, especially women. The additional constraints faced by older women, such as lower health insurance coverage, limited educational attainment and economic autonomy, further restrict their health care access and affordability.  

Although many governments in South and Southeast  Asia have implemented reforms focusing on the needs of their aging populations, progress remains uneven depending on the size of public health budgets. Whether attributed to gender inequality, poverty, ethnicity, education or other factors, numerous women still confront obstacles to health care access, despite improvements in coverage and service quality.  

The paradigm shifts to accelerate focus on women’s health at Davos cannot be more timely. WEF saw the largest representation of women this year (around 28% of the total 3,000 participants), including more than 350 female heads of state and government and ministers. This shows that we’re making steps towards greater diversity in global health leadership and greater representation of women in senior and top health organization positions to ensure diverse perspectives to better inform policies and priorities. The final hours of Davos saw the launch of the Global Alliance for Women’s Health (Alliance)—a diverse coalition pledging $55 million to address the under-researched challenges women face. Reforming health care systems can not only enhance women’s well-being but also contribute significantly to the global economy. It is my hope that the Alliance is a significant first step to facilitating health system reform for a future when both women and men can readily access necessary services and alleviate the burden of unpaid care within families that is typically shouldered by women and girls, thereby promoting gender equality. 

Another notable achievement at Davos is the groundbreaking renewable power agreement signed by members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force. The intersection of climate and health discussions reveals the intricate connections between environmental issues and public health outcomes. The region’s diverse geographical landscape populated by marginalized and vulnerable communities imposes logistical difficulties in establishing and maintaining health care infrastructure and deepens existing health inequities because of climate change. 

This commitment to decarbonize operations in China and pursue sustainable health care exemplifies the forum’s dedication to actionable initiatives, with a focus on measuring the environmental impact of medicines and patient care and highlighting the profound impact of climate change on health. The landmark agreement provides a great opportunity for health care practitioners, health systems planners and public health officials to better assess vulnerability and adaptation for health systems in a changing climate to address the disproportionate health and equity impacts of climate change, particularly on marginalized communities in clinical and health system settings.  

The WEF’s commitment to prioritizing health care access and improving health outcomes aligns with the challenges exacerbated by global crises and geopolitical complexities in Asia. Issues like the South China Sea disputes, the Korean Peninsula situation and India-Pakistan relations looming large, coupled with 2024 being a big year for elections in Asia, will have significant implications for health cooperation and response strategies for the region. 

Davos also plays a crucial role in bringing together leaders, including from across  Asia, to discuss, strategize and implement solutions that promote sustainable development, economic growth and improved public health. This is important because Asia’s ambitious infrastructure projects, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative, have implications beyond reshaping just global trade. They present opportunities to foster regional health cooperation, address shared health threats through diplomatic approaches and craft a more sustainable and inclusive future. 

Davos 2024 served as a critical juncture for Asia to assert its position on the world stage. The discussions and decisions made during this event will not only impact the region’s future but will also shape the global  health narrative.  

This piece is from APCO’s Asia Pulse Newsletter.

Photo courtesy of WEF