Investing in Health System Resilience: Strategies for Preparedness and Response Capacity Enhancement

WFPHA’s Executive Manager Marta Lomazzi, Daniel O. Okyere, Katya Peri, and Michael Moore have published an article titled “Investing in Health System Resilience: A Scoping Review to Identify Strategies for Enhancing Preparedness and Response Capacity” in Population Medicine.

Introduction

 In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, the importance of resilient health systems has become increasingly clear.

Although investing in health system resilience has gained attention from policymakers and researchers worldwide, it remains a relatively new concept in the healthcare field.

By strengthening the foundations of healthcare systems, resilience can be enhanced, improving preparedness and response to disasters. Investing in resilience not only fosters long-term socioeconomic growth but also ensures national security and promotes collective global health security. This scoping review aims to identify key strategies for investing in health system resilience.

Methods

A scoping review searched PubMed and Google Scholar for health system resilience literature from March 2020 to March 2023. English articles, including original studies, reviews, and reports, were considered. Thematic areas were identified through a narrative summary.

Results

Of 940 records, 43 met the inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged: preventive care, governance, resource mobilization, collaboration, research prioritization, and workforce sustainability.

Conclusions

The study underscores the importance of coalition-building, data visibility, political commitment, and government leadership.

These investments strengthen healthcare systems’ ability to respond to crises, ensuring public health protection and socioeconomic development. Investing in these areas builds resilient health systems and promotes population well-being.