By Date

Towards a more efficient use of health human resources: what lessons can we learn from innovations across OECD countries?

The OECD Health Division organised a workshop to discuss changes in skill mix and scope of practice of health workers on 27 June 2016. Its main purpose was to promote meaningful exchanges of experiences across OECD countries in re-configuring the traditional roles and responsibilities of different categories of health workers to achieve a more efficient use of human resources.

Tackling antimicrobial resistance

At the OECD, we have calculated that about 50% of all the antimicrobials prescribed by healthcare facilities in our member countries do not meet prescription guidelines. In healthcare services such as long-term care facilities and general practices up to 70% and 90% respectively of antibiotics may be prescribed for inappropriate reasons.

The Economic Consequences of Outdoor Air Pollution

Air pollution to cause 6-9 million premature deaths and cost 1% GDP by 2060

Outdoor air pollution could cause 6 to 9 million premature deaths a year by 2060 and cost 1% of global GDP – around USD 2.6 trillion annually – as a result of sick days, medical bills and reduced agricultural output, unless action is taken, according to a new OECD report.

Hungary Policy Brief: Unhealthy Lifestyles Call for Further Tightening of Public Health Policies

Hungary ranks among the OECD countries with the highest rates of obesity, harmful alcohol use and tobacco smoking. These are leading behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Hungary has implemented a public health tax and tight policies on alcohol consumption, but alcohol taxation is mild and unrecorded alcohol and tobacco consumption are significant.

Pharmaceutical Expenditure and Policies: Past Trends and Future Challenges

This paper looks at recent trends in pharmaceutical spending across OECD countries. It examines the drivers of recent spending trends, highlighting differences across therapeutic classes, and then looks at emerging challenges for policy makers in the management of pharmaceutical spending.

Stepping Up to Tackle Mental Ill-Health

“Mental health issues exact a high price on individuals, their families, employers and the economy,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, “Policymakers have been too slow to act. Strong political leadership is needed to drive reform and tackle this issue.”

Estimating Expenditure by Disease, Age and Gender

Expenditure by disease data based on national health accounts can provide valuable information for use in policy analysis. In order to move further in this important area, it is necessary both to refine the definitions and approach that is followed, but also to demonstrate that such accounts can be developed in a cost-effective manner under the framework of the System of Health Accounts.

Expenditure by disease, age and gender - Focus on Health Spending - April 2016

OECD has released data on health spending by disease, age and gender - the first time that such consistent international estimates have been made available. These data are important because they can support policy makers in decisions about resource allocation. This policy brief presents the main findings using data from a group of 12 OECD countries over the period from 2003 to 2011.

International Trade in Health Services

Medical tourism is apparently growing rapidly and yet there is little data on the extent of the provision of health care services across borders. This OECD paper identifies the key emerging policy issues relating to the rise in this new market.