Ljubljana, 27 May 2025 – What if we stopped seeing health as a cost and started treating it as a long-term investment? That was the central message of this year’s Value of Innovation strategic conference, which brought together more than 130 experts, leaders, and decision-makers from the worlds of healthcare, business, and policy.

Held under the theme “Health as a Driver of Socio-Economic Development,” the conference made a compelling case: investing in health is not only good for people; it’s good for the economy.

A clear message: Health fuels prosperity

Opening the event, Tjaša Burnik, President of the International Forum of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, emphasized that health and the economy are not separate domains but deeply interwoven. A healthy population means fewer sick days, faster recovery, longer working lives and ultimately, higher productivity. She reminded the audience that the healthcare system itself also benefits from economic collaboration, gaining access to essential resources, knowledge, and innovation.

This idea was echoed in a video address by Slovenia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Valentina Prevolnik Rupel. She framed health as the foundation of productivity, innovation, resilience, and overall well-being, and argued that today’s demographic and health challenges, such as ageing populations, chronic disease, and workforce shortages, must be met with evidence-based, forward-looking policy.

A business perspective on wellbeingFrom the business side, Mitja Gorenšček of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia stressed that economic success depends on healthy, motivated employees. He called for deeper cooperation between the business and healthcare sectors, noting that contributing to healthcare reform is not philanthropy, but a strategic necessity.

This sentiment was powerfully reinforced by keynote speaker Dr. Aleksander Zadel, clinical psychologist and director of the C.A.R. Institute for Personal Development. He highlighted the psychological tension between the value we place on health and how we behave in everyday life - a disconnect that has implications for public health strategy and culture.

Economics, evidence, and long-term planning

Assoc. Prof. Petra Došenović Bonča of the University of Ljubljana gave a data-driven view of how a successful healthcare system enhances national economic well-being. She explained how investments in health pay off through improved outcomes, stronger human capital, and greater social cohesion.

Public health expert Dr. Branko Gabrovec of NIJZ emphasized the need for long-term strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and health literacy, especially as Slovenia’s population continues to age.

Health and the economy: A shared path

These insights set the stage for a roundtable discussion on how health and the economy can together drive social prosperity. Panellists - including representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Chamber of Commerce - discussed how employers can support employee well-being, the need for more systematic methods to evaluate health's economic impact, and the importance of digitalisation, innovation, and access.

One key takeaway: to make real progress, Slovenia needs to move from siloed healthcare financing toward comprehensive economic burden analysis and long-term forecasting.

Setting the course for the future

Closing the conference, Prof. Dr. Dejan Verčič called for health to be recognized as a strategic infrastructure, not only in policy, but in practice. He summarized the collective message: only through tight cooperation between healthcare, business, and government can a sustainable healthcare model be achieved.

Barbara Stegel, Secretary General of FarmaForum, concluded with a proposal to track socio-economic impacts more systematically using input-output analyses across key therapeutic areas. Aligning with the EU’s vision for a European Health Data Space, this approach could power more data-informed, efficient, and equitable health policies.

The bottom line

Health is no longer just a topic for the healthcare sector. It’s a cross-sectoral priority - an economic driver, a policy imperative, and a shared responsibility.

This year’s Value of Innovation conference made one thing clear: building a healthier society is one of the smartest investments Slovenia can make. The work continues, and the next conference will be an important milestone in tracking progress.

Recording of the conference is available here: 14th Strategic Conference Value of Innovation: Health as a Driver of Socio-Economic Development