WifOR Institute

Driving innovation in the medical sector goes beyond promoting better health for all. It also yields multiple economic benefits, from creating jobs to contributing to the GDP. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is one example of how technology can improve both lives and the economy, providing solutions that range from protheses to machine parts. However, for Europe, remaining competitive in this field poses challenges. This is what we addressed at the MGA Mobility | MGA Medical - Mobility goes Additive e.V. Annual Meeting last week. As a mechanical engineer myself and having founded WifOR Institute as a spin-off of Technische Universität Darmstadt, the topic interests me deeply. During the panel discussion “Election Time: Additive Manufacturing on the Political Agenda", I highlighted the following ideas: → Europe lacks a cohesive industrial policy, which in turn hinders the development of new research, projects, and companies in additive manufacturing and other areas. Barriers to innovation and industrialization — whether financial, bureaucratic, or others — hamper the region’s potential for growth. → Action is needed from a supply-side perspective. It is not just about innovating, but about facilitating access to goods at lower prices and on a bigger scale. For medical products, the beneficial effects are clear: the healthier individuals are, the greater their productivity and their service to the community is. → The ROI of businesses should reflect their contribution to society, considering economic, ecological, and social factors. Companies should allocate resources smartly where they generate the greatest positive impact. In the case of health in general and 3D printing in particular, understanding expenditures holistically helps rethink investments as drivers for well-being and prosperity. Thanks to my fellow panelists, Werner Loscheider of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz and Britta Teipel of the Senatsverwaltung für Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe, for this relevant exchange. At WifOR Institute, we measure the value of health technologies and health funding to change the mindset from cost to investment. Learn more about our research here: https://lnkd.in/e92Cpgjf  Photo credits: MGA #3DPrinting  #HealthInnovation  #HealthIsAnInvestment

“We should see spending on health as an investment,” says former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark at the World Health Summit    Our goal at WifOR Institute is to promote this vision, as health expenditures have a positive individual, social, and economic impact. By measuring these favorable effects and their return on investment through our research, we guide decision-makers in efficiently allocating resources where they generate the greatest well-being and growth.   The objective of fostering healthier societies, greater innovation, and stronger economies is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Develpment Goals, specifically #SDG3 (“Good Health and Well Being”), #SDG8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), and #SDG9 (“Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”).   We are therefore excited to see that the key message of investing in health — a crucial step towards a more sustainable and prosperous future — is reaching new spheres of discussion and broader audiences.   ➡️ Our newsletter provides insights on why promoting health matters. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/dY2YShqQ    ➡️ Establishing common indicators can help governments around the world to plan their health budgets smartly. Download "The Roadmap to Sustainable Finance in Health", developed as a toolkit for the #G7 and #G20, here: https://lnkd.in/dPY32VQk   #HealthForAll #SustainableFuture #HealthIsAnInvestment

The Health Economy is growing in the Gulf Region — creating jobs, generating wealth, and driving well-being. Investing in it is a valuable opportunity to foster healthier societies and stronger economies.    At the 16th Arab-German Health Forum hosted by Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Berlin, Dr. Richard Scholz presented key figures that showcase the vital role of the Health Economy in The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) countries.   WifOR Institute's Head of Impact Analysis explained how health investments positively impact other industries, leaving a footprint in the broader economy. Examples range from Health Economy workers spending their wages in other sectors to supply chain jobs being supported by Health Economy activities. Some relevant facts:   ➡️ The GCC Health Economy contributed $155 billion to the regional GDP in 2023, about as much as the economies of Oman and Bahrain combined ➡️ The sector also has around twice the size of Bahrain’s entire labor market, employing 1.27 million workers in 2023 ➡️ With an 8.8% share in the overall regional economy, the Health Economy contributes more to growth than the construction branch (5.2%) and the public administration (6.9%)   At the event last Tuesday, Dr. Scholz was also joined by his colleagues Hanna Hryhorova and Marina Vanni, who are also working to promote the idea of health as an investment from the research and communication perspectives. By showing how these expenditures pay-off and generate favorable effects for the economy, society, and the environment, WifOR aims to reshape the narrative around financing health.   ➡️ Read the article “How sustainable investing in health can drive employment, resilience, and growth” (available in German and written by Dr. Richard Scholz and Prof. Dr. Dennis Ostwald) here: https://lnkd.in/dTEjssaA   #GulfRegion  #HealthForum  #HealthIsAnInvestment

Shaping the future of healthcare in Romania – Financing priorities in a resource-limited system. What should the financing priorities be in the near and mid-term future?    At the recent Aspen Healthcare Summit, organized by Aspen Institute Romania, I had the privilege of participating in a panel that focused on the pressing need for Romania's healthcare system to finance both universal healthcare and innovation, all while managing limited resources.    Here are my key takeaways:    💡 We need to shift the narrative from viewing healthcare as a cost to recognizing it as an investment. To achieve this, we need health metrics that measure the burden of disease, the social impact of interventions, and the return on health investments.  💡 By establishing clear metrics, we enable an objective dialogue between policymakers, associations, and companies, offering evidence-based insights that support decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and promote accountability and sustainability.  💡 Innovation, prevention, primary care, and healthcare infrastructure must be prioritized. These areas, when measured and invested in correctly, are key to ensuring a predictable and sustainable future for Romania.    I’d like to extend my thanks for all the panelists for their valuable insights:     Alin Marius Andries – Secretary of State, Ministry of Finance  Larisa Mezinu-Balan – Vice President, National Health Insurance House  Iulian Trandafir – VP, Regional General Director for Romania, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Alliance Healthcare / Board Member, Aspen Institute Romania  Marcelo Pascual Morales – Managing Director, MSD Romania & Republic of Moldova  Marcelo Rainer – Country President & General Manager, Novartis Romania    A special thanks to our moderator, Cristian Vlădescu – Director General, National Institute of Health Service Management / Senior Fellow, Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Program, for guiding the discussion!    #Health  #HealthForAll  #HealthIsAnInvestment

Join our Sales & Proposal Management team! 🚀   Are you interested in becoming part of an independent research institute specializing in sustainability, health, and labor market research? Do you have a passion for managing client relationships and proposals in a dynamic, international environment? Then this opportunity might be for you!    We’re looking for a proactive Inside Sales Manager with excellent German skills that will: 👉 Create proposals in collaboration with our customers, researchers, and sales representatives.  👉 Help develop our CRM system and be responsible for the proposal management  👉 Measure relevant KPIs for management and provide guidance in strategic decisions     Learn more about the role and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dgxxQCaq     At WifOR Institute, we are committed to fostering a work environment rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the personal development of our employees, nurturing their growth and supporting career progress.      #Hiring  #Career  #OpenToHire 

WifOR Institute's research on the economic losses caused by disease and the multiple benefits of health investments keeps drawing attention in Latin America.   EL TIEMPO Casa Editorial, a leading Spanish-language news site from Colombia, published a new interview with WifOR's Senior Researcher Diego Hernández titled “More than just a headache: these are the impacts of migraine on people's health and the country's economy.”   WifOR’s study led by Karla Hernandez-Villafuerte, PhD and cited in the article details that migraine and six other analyzed diseases caused monetarized productivity losses in Colombia that reached US$ 16.1 billion in 2022. This corresponds to 4.5% of the national GDP.   “By quantifying the socioeconomic burden of migraine and its position relative to other disease areas, governments and organizations can foresee which budget allocations have the potential to yield highest returns, both in health outcomes and in terms of economic benefits”, says Hernández.   Learn more about our key findings in our slides below ⬇️   To read the full article (available in Spanish) click here: https://lnkd.in/e736UYwb   Don't miss our health newsletter coming out next week! You can subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/dY2YShqQ   #Migraine #BurdenOfDisease #HealthIsAnInvestment

👏WifOR Institute congratulates Daron Acemoğlu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson on being awarded the #NobelPrizeinEconomicSciences2024!     💡Daron Acemoğlu’s research is especially meaningful for WifOR Institute’s research as he substantially contributed to the development of Input-Output (IO) models, which we frequently use in our analysis. IO models demonstrate the connections between various sectors of an economy, allowing economists to analyze how changes in one sector impact others. While Wassily Leontief was the inventor of IO models – for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1973 – Acemoglu’s work is crucial to the evolution of contemporary IO literature.    🌎The three laureates were recognized for their research on the role of social institutions in a country’s economic development. They demonstrate that establishing inclusive institutions – systems that promote equal opportunities and protect property rights – can lead to sustained long-term growth. In contrast, extractive systems prioritize short-term gains for elites, undermining trust in promises of reform and perpetuating stagnation. These findings provide valuable insights for addressing the income disparities observed between nations.    🔗To learn more about how we apply IO models in our research, visit: https://lnkd.in/emkymBzX     #IOModels   #NobelPrize   #NobelPrizeEconomicSciences2024

Imagine a condition that affects around 20% of Germany’s population, and there is a new medication available to help these individuals. Would there be a debate about whether this medication should be covered by health insurance? This is the situation with obesity, despite it being recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization since 1997. I have been asked twice in recent weeks about the potential societal and economic impacts of this treatment, most recently by Dominik Guggemos from Neue Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft mbH.     My key thoughts:  🍏 I believe that weight-loss injections should be covered by health insurance when there is a medical indication. However, relying solely on medication will not solve the problem. We need to implement more preventive measures, such as promoting healthier diets in schools and providing comprehensive education to raise awareness, ultimately improving our lifestyle before individuals develop obesity.  📊 Critics often focus on the costs associated with treatment but tend to overlook the broader socioeconomic effects. Improved health contributes not only to individual well-being but also positively influences employment, economic growth, and the overall resilience of society. At WifOR Institute, we have conducted several studies on these impacts: https://lnkd.in/eeMStCTf  📐 The precise increase in GDP and productivity due to new treatments will depend on various factors. Based on the data currently available, I estimate that the GDP loss linked to obesity amounts to approximately €8.4 billion annually, which could be reduced with effective medications. Additionally, nearly 1.5 million people in Germany face mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety disorders, often linked to the stigma surrounding obesity. These issues can additionally affect people’s quality of life and productivity.     Improving access to effective medications for obesity could enhance both physical health and mental well-being for those affected. Therefore, besides the economic impact, it is already sensible from a purely human perspective to facilitate access to effective medication for people suffering from this disease.    🔗You can read the full article in the NBR’s regional newspapers, or here (paid): https://lnkd.in/efWVkpwF      #Health  #SocialImpact  #HealthEconomics

Join our Sales & Proposal Management team! 🚀   Are you interested in becoming part of an independent research institute specializing in sustainability, health, and labor market research? Do you have a passion for managing client relationships and proposals in a dynamic, international environment? Then this opportunity might be for you!    We’re looking for a proactive Inside Sales Manager with excellent German skills that will: 👉 Create proposals in collaboration with our customers, researchers, and sales representatives.  👉 Help develop our CRM system and be responsible for the proposal management  👉 Measure relevant KPIs for management and provide guidance in strategic decisions     Learn more about the role and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dgxxQCaq     At WifOR Institute, we are committed to fostering a work environment rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the personal development of our employees, nurturing their growth and supporting career progress.      #Hiring  #Career  #OpenToHire 

👏WifOR Institute congratulates Daron Acemoğlu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson on being awarded the #NobelPrizeinEconomicSciences2024!     💡Daron Acemoğlu’s research is especially meaningful for WifOR Institute’s research as he substantially contributed to the development of Input-Output (IO) models, which we frequently use in our analysis. IO models demonstrate the connections between various sectors of an economy, allowing economists to analyze how changes in one sector impact others. While Wassily Leontief was the inventor of IO models – for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1973 – Acemoglu’s work is crucial to the evolution of contemporary IO literature.    🌎The three laureates were recognized for their research on the role of social institutions in a country’s economic development. They demonstrate that establishing inclusive institutions – systems that promote equal opportunities and protect property rights – can lead to sustained long-term growth. In contrast, extractive systems prioritize short-term gains for elites, undermining trust in promises of reform and perpetuating stagnation. These findings provide valuable insights for addressing the income disparities observed between nations.    🔗To learn more about how we apply IO models in our research, visit: https://lnkd.in/emkymBzX     #IOModels   #NobelPrize   #NobelPrizeEconomicSciences2024