Health Equity Remains a Key Focus in Life Sciences and Health Care

Incorporating health equity into organizational strategies, operations, and financial planning presents a unique opportunity for life sciences and healthcare companies to achieve business goals while making a meaningful impact on public health. A recent survey by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions found that 75 percent of life sciences executives and 64 percent of healthcare executives expect an increased focus on health equity in 2025. Nearly 90 percent of respondents

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anticipate maintaining or increasing last year’s investment levels, which could expand access to affordable healthcare services, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Research from Deloitte projects that health inequities contribute $320 billion annually to U.S. healthcare spending, a figure that could surpass $1 trillion by 2040 if unaddressed. Addressing these disparities could add $2.8 trillion to the U.S. GDP and increase corporate profits by $763 billion.

Despite the potential benefits, many organizations face challenges in integrating health equity into strategic and operational processes. Nearly half of surveyed executives cited difficulties in implementation, with limited involvement from health equity leaders being a key factor. Only 34 percent of these leaders are actively engaged in organization-wide strategy, and just 24 percent participate in product design. However, 72 percent expect their role to gain importance in 2025. Regulatory changes could introduce additional complexities, but companies that prioritize health equity may strengthen their long-term growth prospects.

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