Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2008

Advancing Economic Growth: Investing in Health

Rifat A Atun, Susan Fitzpatrick

February 2006

Chatham House

Abstract

This report publishes a summary of the issues discussed at a Chatham Hosue conference.

The report aims to challenge the traditional view that health expenditure is just a cost and an economic burden and highlights the strong empirical evidence from both developing and developed countries which demonstrates the two-way relationship between economics and health: that economic growth improves health but improved health also significantly enhances economic productivity and growth.

It also explores options and mechanisms through which increased investment in health could be made and how existing resources could be better invested to produce the greatest benefit.