International Perspectives on Moving to Population-Based Health Care Systems

There is a growing interest for health care delivery organizations to focus more heavily on managing the health of populations, which can be a transition for organizations that traditionally concentrate on acute and specialized care. Furthermore, many health care organizations may have limited experience in managing social drivers of health, which require critical strategies for improving community well-being. Future of Health, an international community of senior health leaders, collaborated with the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy to identify priority actions for advancing population health worldwide. Key strategies were identified to embed a culture of accountability for population health within health systems, foster innovative partnerships between health care delivery and community organizations, and adopt value-based payment models that sustainably support population health strategies. This article highlights real-world examples from health systems globally, illustrating successful implementations and the challenges faced in this paradigm shift. By focusing on collaborative approaches and long-term health outcomes, this research aims to guide health systems in advancing population health.