As previously announced, there would have been a surprise post on India, so here we are.
Indeed, as November came to an end and December is just starting, I wanted to take this moment before the introduction of a new topic to reflect on what I am grateful for, and that is my participation in the "Future of Healthcare Conference" in India last October.
The conference, which was organized by my alma mater - the Hertie School - and Siemens Healthineers, was an incredible opportunity to delve deeper into the link between data science and health governance in the post-Covid era.
The most interesting thing for me, besides learning from the outstanding speakers, was seeing other people from the Hertie community. In particular, I enjoyed brainstorming with them on the future of healthcare and speaking about the inclusion of people with chronic illnesses in the workforce.
Hertie alumni brainstorming on the future of health governance. Photo by Hertie School, New Delhi, October 2022.
Among the different keynote speeches that I followed, the core idea that stayed with me after the conference was that we should focus on prevention, rather than treatment. Especially now, with new technologies and data available, prevention should be the main goal of the healthcare system.
This concept to me is crucial because it matches so well with the ideas that I have been trying to advocate for on this blog so far: that being healthy is an everyday priority.
Unfortunately, too often we see instead health being overlooked by individuals to prioritize other aspects of life, like work.
In public policy, we also have seen cuts in the health sector in most EU countries until the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Therefore, the takeaway of the conference for me is: focusing on health, whether in our own life or policy-wise, is always the best long-term investment. Of course, short-term solutions can be found, but they provide only a temporary fix.
Future of healthcare conference, day 2. Photo by Hertie School, New Delhi, October 2022.
I am always going to be thankful for this experience to the Hertie School, especially to the Managing Director and the organizers who put a great effort into making this conference happen in presence after the difficult pandemic times.
I am proud of how the School is promoting a debate on topics that I am very invested in, such as inclusion and health, and I am looking forward to the next opportunity to gather with the Alumni network.
The Managing Director of the Hertie School (right), Axel Biasch, and me (left).
Future of healthcare conference, day 1. Photo by Hertie School, New Delhi, October 2022.
Elena
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