Overview
The 2024 Virchow Prize was awarded to Professor Lucy Gilson for her inspiring work towards more sustainable and people-centred health systems. More than an individual honour, this award highlights the growth and evolution of health policy and systems research (HPSR) over the past 25 years – driving real-world change and improvements in health systems. With roots in health economics and political science and a traditional focus on strengthening systems to support health service delivery, it continues to develop – tackling emerging health challenges, refocusing its impact and finding better opportunities to engage communities to ensure health and well-being for all. But what frontiers remain un(der)explored?
This event unpacked the shifting landscape of HPSR – its role in shaping future health systems, addressing climate and planetary health and equipping the next generation of researchers and leaders with the right skills and competencies. Professor Gilson was joined by other experts in the field for an engaging discussion that looked to the next 25 years of HPSR and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Moderator
- Dr Aku Kwamie, Unit Head, a. i., Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO
Speaker
- Professor Lucy Gilson, University of Cape Town, South Africa and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Discussants:
- Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO
- Professor Göran Tomson, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Professor Fadi El-Jardali, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Department, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, South Africa
- Dr Rachidatou Compaore, Institut de Recherche en sciences de la santé (IRSS), Burkina Faso