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Updated 1/9/12
Global Health Trends
Why Employers Care
As businesses expand operations worldwide, consideration for the health of employees also comes into global view. Specifically, global health trends are important to employers as these trends enable them to design relevant benefit plans, anticipate the future costs of care, and make programs available to address the health needs of the workforce. Access to quality care, diminishing government funding of health care services in many regions, counterfeit medications, poorly developed networks of care, among other challenges, are of concern to employers who operate globally.
What Can Employers Do?
Many large employers follow global public health trends so they can be proactive in developing appropriate and reasoned responses to the changing needs of the workforce. A critical element in the effective management of the health of employees outside the US is the development of strong working relationships by those in the US with staff in the regions. Companies with both centralized and decentralized organizational structures are finding new and innovative ways to collaborate with local staff to understand regional issues that will have a significant impact on the success or failure of planned health initiatives or benefits changes. Large employers also recognize that they cannot help employees make positive changes in health without also addressing the health needs of the communities in which they operate. To this end, many engage governments and other relevant local organizations to implement community-wide initiatives.
GHBI and Select Business Group Resources
- Health Determinants and Employees in Growth Countries — December 22, 2011
This guide allows multinational employers to learn more from local colleagues about emerging markets' essential aspects of work and daily life, community-based barriers and facilitators to health and well-being, and opportunities to improve workforce health and productivity.
- Women's Health Around the World –November 30, 2011
This chart provides comparative data for GHBI target countries on issues relevant to women’s health.
- Webinar: Global Trends in Health Benefits for Women — November 17, 2011
Dr. Lorna Friedman and Céline Ng Tong from Mercer present an overview of women in the workplace and highlight their health care concerns and issues.
- Global Health Risks — April 5, 2010
This document compares health issues in 14 countries at a high level.
- Health Determinants and Employees in Growth Countries Presentation — September 17, 2009
Tim Blevins and Isabelle Hebert of Aetna Global Benefits presented lessons learned about defining health and health care, disease burden issues, nutrition and obesity, and maternity around the world.
- Health, Productivity, Rapid Growth Countries: Challenges for Globally Integrated Enterprises — September 17, 2009
IBM presented challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for multinational employers tackling health and productivity in rapid growth countries.
- Cultural Sensitivity Template – June 4, 2009
Janet Aliberti, Global Quality Leader, shared GE Energy’s cultural sensitivity template and process with Board members.
- Employee Well-Being Metrics – June 4, 2009
Gallup, Inc. presented its U.S. Well-Being Index and World Poll products and how they measure employee engagement in health to the Board.
- WebMD Health Services Presentation – September 9, 2008
WebMD presented potentially expanding health management tools and resources globally to confront global health challenges multinational employers face.
- Introduction to Joint Commission International – June 5, 2008
Joint Commission International presents on its global initiatives, and its perspective on medical tourism.
Note that this is a large presentation, and it will take time to download.
- International Health Regulations Webinar Presentation – March 26, 2008
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-sponsored webinar discussed the World Health Organization's (WHO) revised international health regulations and its impact on multinational employers. WHO developed a FAQ sheet on the revised international health regulations.
- Netherlands' Reformed Health Insurance System – September 30, 2007
This overview explains the various components of the Netherlands' reformed health insurance system that provides universal coverage.
- Observations on Global Healthcare and Related Issues – December 14, 2005
CIGNA presented the differences across 9 country-based healthcare systems. Content included: resources, education, culture, style, philosophy, complementary and alternative medicine, and economic incentives.
- Trends and Product Development in Growth and Developed Countries – August 17, 2005
CIGNA International and Aetna shared insights on the development of and trends in global healthcare benefits including disaster preparedness, international healthcare challenges, changing regulatory environments, and international assignees.
Other Resources
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