Skills building seminar: How to make the case for advocating for investment in wellbeing and health equity
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA, WHO Collaborating Centre Investment for Health and Wellbeing WHO EURO, WHO RHN,   Chair persons: Natasha Azzopardi Muscat - EUPHA, Francesco Zambon - WHO EURO
Published: November 2019

Current investment policies and practices are unsustainable, resulting in high costs to individuals, communities, countries and our planet. Substantial evidence demonstrates that investing in evidence-informed, cross-sector, fair public policies and interventions brings multiple benefits, which drive social, economic and environmental sustainability. Making the case and advocating for investment in wellbeing and health equity is essential to enable evidence-informed sustainable and fair policy and action for the benefit of people, communities, societies, the economy and the planet. This skills building seminar intends to focus on the practical approaches, methods, considerations and examples of how to make the case for sustainable investment in wellbeing and health equity.

Specific objectives include: Improve understanding and build skills for making an ‘investment case’Help key stakeholders, advocates, civil servants and other health/non-health professionals to inform, influence and shape national / sub-national investment policies and practicesProvide an overall picture as well as an insight into the key stages, stakeholders, resources and skills needed to develop an advocacy product (report/infographic/etc.)Highlight the use of health economics, especially new methods and tools to capture the value (returns) to society, economy and the planet - the Social Return on Investment (SROI)Share practical experience of advocating for, driving or implementing sustainable investment / finance approaches for health and equitySupport the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda) and the WHO European Health Equity Status Report Initiative in the European Region.

The seminar will consist of two in-depth presentations, having a “how to...” focus. This will be followed by a panel discussion, sharing experiences and insights and showcasing examples of approaches used, practical aspects and considerations of the ‘investment case’. The discussion will include key elements of evidence mobilisation and synthesis; project planning and key stakeholder involvement; using health economics methods and tools; communicating and advocating effectively, using data and visualisation; and assessing and enhancing impact. We will try to look ‘behind the scenes’ in order to improve knowledge, understanding and capacity about user needs; the routines involved and the techniques, skills and resources required; and why would policymakers listen; and what would make them listen and act.

There will be continuous audience engagement through live polling (e.g. Mentimeter) and Q&A time.

Key messages

Evidence-informed rights-based investment for wellbeing and health equity brings social, economic and environmental returns, driving sustainable development and prosperity for all. Advocating for sustainable investment policy and action requires a systematic process of evidence synthesis, stakeholder involvement, impactful communication, monitoring and evaluation.