Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, has been named chair of the World Economic Forum‘s Health & Health Care Governor’s Community. During his two-year term, Garrett will help define the industry agenda and drive change with the Forum to improve access to health care and outcomes and to drive more efficiency in the industry.
“We learned in the COVID-19 pandemic that health care is more global than ever, and I am honored to serve in this role with the World Economic Forum and help address some of the world’s most challenging health care issues,” Garrett said. “Together, we can improve outcomes and help to transform health care globally.”
“We are delighted to have Mr. Garrett chair our Health & Health Care Governor’s Community,” Dr. Shyam Bishen, head of the Centre for Health & Health Care at the World Economic Forum, said. “We believe, with him at the helm during this period, the community will make significant strides in solving the pressing challenges of the health care industry and drive much-needed impact, especially in areas of health outcomes and access. We look forward to working closely with him.”
Potential global agenda items include digital technologies to make care more accessible while protecting patient privacy, addressing health equity and the impact of climate change on personal health.
Garrett has participated at the Forum’s annual meeting in Davos for the last several years, including most recently in January, when the Forum launched a new report, Global Health and Health Care Strategic Outlook, which addresses misinformation, funding challenges, mental health, inequities, workforce shortages, supply chains, climate impacts and macroeconomic instability. The report also offers business and policy-makers a blueprint for more sustainable, resilient health care systems.
Garrett also signed the Zero Health Gaps Pledge in Davos in January, the world’s first multisector health equity pledge, along with 39 other leaders from eight countries. It is a commitment to ensure that people in all communities have access to high-quality health care.
