Health@2073: A 50-Year Vision for an Inclusive & Equitable Healthcare

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Lovers, Lunatics, and Poets

13 min readJul 28, 2023

In July 2023, a group of 10 leaders from 6 countries spent 100 hours in Salzburg Global Seminar studying, deliberating, and reimagining a hopeful vision for the state of healthcare in 2073—one that is inclusive and equitable for everyone in the world. This blog post summarizes the key propositions of this group.

Team Members (in alphabetical order): Aela Karaminassian, Carla Córdova, Desiree Maldonado, Florencia Clerici Sauvage, Mary Rotenberg, Meghan O’Brien, Meredith Gross, Nishant Singh, Paris Magdalena Novelle, Rika Nakamura.

Executive Summary

We are reimagining global healthcare systems that will be more equitable and accessible to 10 billion people by 2073. The current population of the world is ~8.1 billion. COVID-19 and its afteryears have accelerated the long-pending innovations wherein we witnessed the development and administration of life-saving vaccines to more than 5.5 billion people across the world in ~3 years! The pandemic has also advanced the need for rapidly upgrading our existing health systems to cater to the physical and mental well-being of people across the world.

Now, noncommunicable diseases kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Of all non-communicable disease deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries. (Source: World Health Statistics 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs)

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the threats posed by climate change, and a rapidly globalizing economic system will leapfrog innovations in healthcare in the next few decades. The last three years have evolved the idea of holistic health from just being a physical state free of illness to a state of wholesome growth and care for our physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.

The future of healthcare will be driven by artificial intelligence that augments the existing capabilities of healthcare professionals to cater to more people. Digital technology will make it possible to access primary consultation and care at home. Data-driven innovations will make it easier to monitor our vital health parameters on a regular basis. We reimagine a state of healthcare in the next 50 years that will be technologically advanced, ethically and morally just, integrated with natural approaches, and one that will give humans complete control and privacy of their health information. Lastly, we envision an affordable standard of good quality healthcare available to everyone globally as a fundamental human right.

UN SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being | Source: UN SDG Digital Assets

1. Seven Big Hopes for Healthcare in 2073

Universal Health Coverage: We will be closer to achieving universal healthcare coverage by creating spaces for international dialogue about financial stability in every country and equal access to technology. This will include the renegotiation of pending debts by developing countries and the inclusion of foreign and accountable medical knowledge.
Digital Health Data Systems: There will be a more ethical and secure health data system through the organization of a rigorous international data protection team that will include representatives from all countries who will rotate on a regular basis. In addition, there will be a strong penalty system to prevent data leakage.
AI-Supported Healthcare: Artificial Intelligence supporting the healthcare will have ethical considerations coded into the design that addresses basic human rights and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, or economic status. As well as access to technology, it will provide autonomy and access to artificial intelligence innovations for more individuals around the world.
Reduced Monopolization: Less monopolization and more distributed pharmacies will include making large medical companies pay a reasonable tax rate and opening the economic market to small companies that promote botanical medicine and distribute products to rural areas.
Prioritizing Health Literacy: Inclusive health literacy access for citizens from all backgrounds by providing educational training and access to the medical field for people with different backgrounds. These health literacy skills will also include communitarian knowledge.
Focus on Preventative Healthcare: Massive focus on preventive healthcare and early diagnostic systems rather than curative healthcare. Healthcare literacy access will provide information to different communities in order for them to learn more about physical and emotional well-being and have active participation in their self-care.
Increased Trust in Healthcare Technologies: With all these improvements, people will build trust in health access through technology.

2. Why are these important?

In the pursuit of an equitable and inclusive healthcare system by the year 2073, it is imperative to recognize that advancing medical technologies alone is insufficient. Ethical considerations and a commitment to universal healthcare are pivotal in bridging the gap between privileged individuals and marginalized communities. Addressing the disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, as well as marginalized populations, different ethnicities, and beliefs must be a primary focus. At the same time, making sure that citizens’ medical information is safeguarded from any malicious intentions should be a top priority for all systems involved in building an inclusive healthcare ecosystem.

The vision for 2073 is one where every person, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, has access to essential healthcare services as a fundamental human right. Policymakers and healthcare providers must work collaboratively to create systems that provide equitable healthcare access that do not leave anyone behind.

As medical technologies advance, ethical considerations become paramount. Ensuring that technological developments are used responsibly and equitably is crucial. Privacy, data security, and informed consent must be prioritized to build trust and safeguard patients’ rights. Medical research and development must prioritize the health needs of diverse populations.

Inclusive clinical trials and studies that involve underrepresented groups must ensure that medical advancements cater to a broad range of patients. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, researchers must take into consideration the influencing role of religion, ethnicity, and genetic makeup in designing healthcare services.

Increasing health literacy and awareness about healthcare rights and services are vital steps for achieving an equitable system. Empowering individuals with knowledge allows them to make informed decisions and advocate for their healthcare needs.

The path to an equitable and inclusive healthcare system is multifaceted, encompassing medical technologies, ethical considerations, and a strong commitment to universal access. By working towards these goals every day, we can create a future where personalized, customized, and compassionate healthcare is accessible to all, irrespective of their background, location, or need. Together, we can bridge the gap and ensure that the powerful play of life encompasses every verse, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of health and well-being.

*Photo courtesy of Nashville Healthcare Council*

**3. How will these visions be achieved?**

This point details the development of each axis of the timeline starting in 2027 and ending in 2073:

a. Use of AI for regular monitoring of health vitals: Firstly, AI will start integrating healthcare fields by aiding the discovery and development of new drugs. Then, it will integrate healthcare facilities by providing a more efficient support system for medical professionals. This will help make consultations both shorter and more efficient. By 2063, we predict that an AI Health companion will be accessible through the form of the “VITAL Glasses”, which will assess the health of an individual through retinal scans and provide them with information about their vital health parameters. An integrated AI diagnosis can then recommend possible paths to follow for any anomalies. These glasses will be able to perform actions like the detection of diseases, general checkups, and regular evaluation of vital parameters that patients would like to know about basis their health. This can feed into an “EBO Robot System” that will assist patients in need of constant care by carrying out basic care and consultation at home.

*An AI-generated model of futuristic eyewear that will perform routine health scans by analyzing retinal patterns. Photo courtesy: Gencraft*

b. Regenerative Medicines: Breakthroughs in the field of regenerative medicines will drive the creation of personalized bio-printed organs and tissues that would revolutionize the field of organ transplant. By eradicating the risk of rejection and solving the issue of shortages of donated organs and mile-long waitlists, this new technology will open the doors for even more patients to receive care than ever before. Innovations in emerging medical fields of tissue engineering will ensure that patients have necessary critical surgical support in emergency situations for the treatment of severe injuries and trauma.

An AI-rendered image of a 3-D printed heart. Photo courtesy: Gencraft.

In addition, the use of AI will also revolutionize emergency responses by making use of AI-driven dispatch systems. This will allow for rapid and accurate diagnoses. AI-driven triage will also aid healthcare professionals in prioritizing treatment for patients based on the severity of their condition all while making the assessment of those cases less prone to human bias.

c. Advancement in Genetics: When it comes to genetics, techniques such as CRISPR and gene splicing will evolve to be more precise in treating certain genetic diseases. The research will be put into regenerative medicine, offering hope to patients with conditions once viewed as incurable. These technologies will help optimize the quality of life throughout the aging process with a possible extension of the human lifespan.

*An AI-generated rendering of gene splicing. Photo courtesy: Gencraft*

d. Reducing monopolies of big pharma: Furthermore, making healthcare more inclusive will involve integrating practices outside of the current “Western” standard of care. Starting by sharing more information about alternative treatment options, continuing to reduce big pharmaceutical companies’ monopoly on the drug market, and creating hydroponic gardens that individuals could use to contribute to a shared resource of medicinal plants.

The 50-year timeline to achieve these goals by 2073

50-year timeline. Platform: Press

4. E-Care: An Open-Source Toolkit for Building Inclusive and Equitable Healthcare by 2073

a. Introduction to E-CARE

E-Care: A toolkit for inclusive & equitable healthcare

b. E-CARE Facilitation Guide

c. E-CARE Health Companion Concept Video

E Care Vision

Salzburg Media Academy 2023 Final Project

www.youtube.com

d. E-CARE AI Health Companion Concept Note

e. E-CARE Newscast from the future

Newscast from 2073 about the state of healthcare

5. A more equitable & accessible healthcare in 2073

During this 50-year span, our group saw equity and accessibility in the healthcare field as one of our top priorities. Starting with affordability, we know that access to these potential technologies would not be possible if the general population was unable to afford it. That is why we decided to implement various methods of payment (such as paying in increments, with donations, etc) as well as promote the idea of free universal healthcare. While free universal healthcare solves the issue of affordability, we knew that new problems such as increased waitlists and decreased healthcare quality may arise, which is why we combatted those roadblocks by introducing AI into the admittance and diagnosis process. By doing this, we’re allowing doctors to use this software to aid in efficient and accurate decision-making. Technologies such as these help to eliminate the long waitlists and hospital overcrowding that frequently occur in 2023, making healthcare accessible for all no matter the cost.

In addition, we wanted to use this new ecosystem of healthcare to promote and invest in all types of medicine, not just what we consider “Western medicine”. Not only can the general public gain access to pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, and other prescription drugs but we are given access to a wide variety of medicines originating from all corners of the world, such as more holistic treatments like acupuncture or tai-chi. This idea spans into the mental health field as well, where people have a wide variety of choices depending on what they feel is most applicable to them.

6. Critical Considerations in building this future

a. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Data Protection: Using AI for personalized healthcare relies on having each individual’s medical records digitized and saved in a global database. To achieve this and ensure the utmost level of security for this sensitive information, blockchain technology could be used to secure medical records. Additionally, the implementation of global standards for data privacy is necessary.

AI-rendered image of health data privacy. Image courtesy: Gencraft

b. Financing healthcare: In 2073, access to healthcare will be completely free of charge for any human being, however, to get to that point, multiple stages are necessary. We will start by strengthening public health insurance programs, then making primary healthcare coverage available for all. Later on, cost-control measures will be taken to reduce out-of-pocket costs. By 2063, privatized healthcare will start to be phased out in favor of introducing full universal coverage.

c. Overseeing the healthcare system: To ensure that no single individual or organization can gain access to the EHRs or abuse the system in any way, shape, or form, an entity called the Health Security Data Alliance (HSDA) will be created and introduced by 2063. This body will be formed by medical, legal, and cyber-security professionals and will be held, by law, to strict moral, legal, and ethical standards. The HSDA will be run by a chair having veto power (if need be), whose sole responsibility is risk mitigation and heads the Alliance for one, non-renewable, 2-year term. AI will assist in data protection to ensure that no single individual has access to medical records for strictly non-professional use.

d. Unifying global healthcare: To implement this “new and improved” healthcare system worldwide, common understanding needs to be built across cultures. In 2023, the healthcare system is organized by individual countries which provokes several differences and inequalities in access and quality of care. This different standard will be unified which will lead to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. For this, two things are needed: uniform education and improvement of patient-doctor interactions.