With more than 70 percent of the global population having received at least one dose of the new crown vaccine, the healthcare industry now faces critical questions that will determine its path through 2023 and beyond. In the year ahead, healthcare providers, other players in the healthcare industry, governments and regulators must think about how to:
Leverage the experience of virtual healthcare delivery during the epidemic to increase access and improve the quality of care
Use technology to reduce costs and demand for medical staff while improving patient care
Reduce carbon emissions, thereby helping to mitigate some of the environmental hazards that affect public health
Relieve the increasing workload of healthcare workers by redefining the scope of work, increasing the use of teleworking, and providing support such as mental health services
Prepare for a potential pandemic, public health event or natural disaster by better preparing facilities, equipment, supply chains and partnerships

Stakeholders in the healthcare industry should be vigilant and flexible in responding to peaks and valleys of infection from new coronaviruses as well as other infectious diseases.

The potential of virtual health lies in solutions that provide equal access to vulnerable populations, reduce patient care costs through remote monitoring and early intervention, provide timely and optimal care in response to environmental changes, optimize healthcare staffing, and advance the digitization of healthcare regulation to more efficiently safeguard patient health and improve the consumer experience of healthcare delivery.

Healthcare organizations are accelerating the adoption of these new technologies to reduce costs, efficiently address changing demand patterns, address clinician shortages and better respond to the new global healthcare crisis.

Climate change is the greatest threat to human health. Increasing carbon emissions will cause climate and environmental problems, which in turn will affect human health. Health systems should increase their resilience and sustainability to address climate threats and be prepared to provide post-disaster care, ensure access to medicines, and take steps to reduce waste.