JOHN GREGG Chief Executive AHHA
The value of value-based health care in a post COVID world
Welcome to the value-based health care themed
COVID-19 continues to challenge the healthcare
issue of The Health Advocate. Having recently
sector and also provides opportunities for us
joined the AHHA, I am eager to continue advancing
to reflect on how VBHC principles may assist
value-based health care in Australia.
support services redesign delivery and assistance
Value-based health care is the key to moving
to our consumers. AHHA’s Deeble Institute for
health care investments from volume to value,
Health Policy Research recently published a
focusing on the health outcome for the consumers
brief which examines how value-based health
of healthcare services. Broadly speaking, it is
care offers a path to managing the long-term
about achieving the outcomes that matter to
health consequences of COVID-19 in Australia
health consumers at a cost that is acceptable to
(see page 15).
consumers and the health system. It is a concept
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the
that has been evolving for many years globally,
importance of health literacy and how our
and we are now seeing some activity and system
health systems need to provide avenues for our
transformation taking place here in Australia as
communities to feel more confident in their own
health services and systems adopt the principles
health decision making, including options and risks
of value-based health care.
with vaccinations. The focus that value-based
In May, AHHA and the Continuous Improvement
health care has brought to understanding the
in Care Cancer Project facilitated the inaugural
outcomes that matter to patients is noteworthy,
Value-Based Health Care Conference. This
but we must also continue to work to support
conference showcased and celebrated national and
improvements in health literacy and provide the
international value-based health care in practice.
opportunity for consumers to take an active role
In this issue you can read a wrap up of the conference as well as several feature articles from
in their own health care. One of the drivers behind uptake of value-
keynote presenters at the Conference, including
based health care concepts is a focus on moving
Elizabeth Teisberg and Julie McCrossin and outlines
the health sector to a more sustainable footing.
of services and projects that were recipients of
Sustainability in this context is often thought of
the inaugural Value-Based Health Care Innovation
in terms of funding, but a recent Deeble health
and Collaboration awards.
policy brief has considered broader environmental
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The Health Advocate • AUGUST 2021
