Health Policy and System Innovations
Health Policy and System Innovations
Thematic relevance
Germany has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world. Nevertheless, health outcomes in many places still fall short of what is possible. At the same time, the challenges are growing: an aging population, rising costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and a great need for preventive care. For innovations to have an impact, there needs to be a political and structural framework that enables change and ensures that successful approaches are firmly established over the long term.
At the same time, the health care system is facing a fundamental transformation. For decades, the focus was primarily on treating illness. Today, the question of how health can be maintained, promoted, and more equitably distributed is increasingly taking center stage. Topics such as prevention and health promotion, health literacy, strengthening primary care, new professional roles, cross-sector collaboration, and digitalization therefore dominate current health policy debate. This calls for new approaches that go beyond individual reforms and further develop the health care system over the long term.
The RBIH's ambition
The RBIH is actively helping to shape the framework for tomorrow's health care. Science, health care provision, education, and health policy are specifically linked to foster collaboration, open up new perspectives, and develop joint solutions. The goal is to advance reforms, integrate innovations into standard care, and achieve sustainable improvements in the health of the population.
The impact approach: how change is shaped
Scientific evidence, practical experience, and dialogue on health policy are brought together. Studies, position statements, the work of expert committees, and innovative formats for dialogue help develop concrete solutions to current challenges and bring relevant stakeholders into conversation with one another.
In addition, the RBIH supports the transfer of successful pilot projects into standard care. This approach considers not only the effectiveness of innovations but also the conditions necessary for their sustainable integration into the system, thereby bridging the gap from the initial idea and evidence to widespread implementation in practice.