series

What’s it worth? Investing in health, investing in our future

Patients Society Multiple Sclerosis Oncology Ophthalmology Access Diagnostics Drug development Innovation

An older man laughs with eyes closed and hands clasped during a seated group wellness class, as others smile nearby; the atmosphere is joyful and relaxed.

Part of seriesWhat’s it worth

Published

Health is the foundation of individual wellbeing and societal prosperity.

As countries face growing healthcare demands and economic pressures, recognising the broader value of health innovation has never been more important.

Because when we invest in health innovation, we invest in everything.

Explore independent research by WifOR Institute examining the health and socioeconomic burden of HER2-positive breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and retinal diseases across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia,Serbia and Türkiye - and the measurable contribution of innovative medicines.

Download the WifOR white paper

The scale of the challenge is evident across different disease areas:

Breast cancerGlobal Disease Burden

3.2m

Projected annual diagnoses worldwide by 2050, with deaths projected to increase by 68% rising to 1.1 million

Economic Impact
(Across 5 countries)

$10bn

In US dollars. Productivity losses from HER2+ breast cancer (2017-2025)

Retinal diseasesGlobal Disease Burden

196m

People affected by age related macular degeneration (AMD) worldwide

Economic Impact
(Across 5 countries)

$5.8bn

Productivity losses from AMD and DME (2017-2025)

Multiple sclerosisGlobal Disease Burden

2.9m

People living with MS worldwide in 2023, up from 2.3 million in 2013

Economic Impact
(Across 5 countries)

$6.2bn

Productivity losses from MS (2017-2025)

When health is lost, its cost is felt across society

The impact of ill health extends far beyond healthcare, affecting people's livelihoods and their ability to contribute to society.

This is particularly important as countries navigate demographic change. Whether facing an ageing population and reducing workforce or seeking to maximise the potential of a growing one, protecting health is essential to protecting human capital, productivity and our shared prosperity.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 75% of deaths worldwide, with far-reaching consequences for society. Every minute, around 34 people die prematurely from an NCD, with 82% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.1

Beyond their impact on health, these conditions can limit people's ability to work, remain independent and contribute to society.

Globally, major NCDs will cause an estimated USD 30 trillion in lost economic output between 2011 and 2030.2

Understanding the wider burden of disease is essential. It reveals the value of healthy years lost, contributions that go unrecognised, and opportunities to protect the wellbeing and the future of society.

Health innovation drives healthier societies and stronger economies

More healthy years, more possibilities and greater prosperity.

Scientific progress is transforming the outlook for people living with some of the world's most challenging diseases.

By helping people live longer, healthier lives, medical innovation creates opportunities that extend far beyond individual treatment outcomes. For individuals, it can mean more time to pursue careers, raise families, remain independent and enjoy the moments that matter most.

For society, it can mean more people participating in the workforce, supporting loved ones and contributing to stronger communities and economies.

The potential benefits are significant. McKinsey estimates that investing more strategically in health could add up to USD 12.5 trillion to the global economy annually by 2050 - while helping people gain nearly a decade of healthy life.3 Recognising the full value of health innovation, and ensuring people can benefit from it, is therefore essential to long-term socioeconomic development

The measurable value of innovation

Across the five countries studied, Roche's innovative medicines for HER2-positive breast cancer, MS and retinal diseases are projected to deliver additional benefits in 2026–2027:

$146m

Additional GDP contribution.

Equivalent to more than USD 200,000 in economic value generated every day over the two-year period.4

4,290

Additional quality-adjusted life years gained.

Equivalent to more than 4,000 additional years of life in good health.5

Countries have an opportunity to build health for wealth and prosperity

Scientists in white lab coats work together in a bright modern laboratory; a man studies a computer beside a colleague in a blue hijab.

The opportunity is not only to innovate, but to bring innovation to people sooner.

Timing matters.

With approximately 12,900 medicines in clinical development globally, there is potential to change the outlook of disease.6

When diseases are diagnosed earlier and people can access effective treatment sooner, there is greater potential to preserve healthy years, reduce pressure on healthcare systems and minimise the wider social and economic impact of ill health. Today, advances in medical science, smarter diagnostics, data and artificial intelligence are opening new possibilities for healthcare systems.

At the same time, partnerships across government, healthcare, academia and industry are helping create the conditions for innovation to reach more people. Together, these developments offer countries an opportunity to accelerate healthcare transformation, strengthen innovation ecosystems and play a greater role in co-developing the future of global health and medical innovation.

Why earlier intervention matters

HER2+ breast cancer

Earlier diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and help reduce the wider impact of disease progression.

Multiple sclerosis

Timely access to effective therapies can help delay disability progression and preserve people's ability to work and remain active.

Retinal diseases

Early detection and effective treatment can help preserve vision and maintain independence.

33%

Of the estimated economic impact from the studied Roche breast cancer medicines was associated with early-stage treatment between 2017–2025.7

72%

Of the projected economic impact is associated with early-stage treatment between 2026–2027.8

Innovation itself is also a strategic pillar for driving economic growth.

The biopharmaceutical industry supports economic growth through research, investment and highly skilled employment.

Pharmaceutical R&D activities contributed an estimated USD 227 billion to global GDP in 2022, directly employing 1.1 million people. With each directly supported pharmaceutical industry job associated with a further 8.54 jobs across the global supply chain and wider economy.9

By strengthening their ability to develop and adopt innovation, countries can support better health outcomes while creating new avenues to grow local innovation ecosystems and move up the global value chain.

From the cost of disease to the value of innovation: what do the numbers tell us?

The global challenge

74%

Of deaths worldwide are caused by non communicable diseases

The economic burden

$21.9bn

Estimated productivity losses across five studied countries 2017-2025

Healthy years lost

~1.1m

Disability adjusted life years lost to three disease areas 2017-2025

The value on innovation

$280m

Estimated GDP contribution from the studied Roche medicines 2017-2025

Health gains that matter

12,110

Quality-adjusted life years gained through the studied medicines 2017-2025

The role of early treatment

72%

Projected share of breast cancer medicine economic impact linked to early-stage treatment 2026-2027

Ensuring health innovation reaches those who need it is a shared responsibility

Scientific progress alone is not enough.

Capturing the wider value of health innovation requires healthcare systems, policies and partnerships that enable new approaches to be developed, adopted and made accessible in a timely and sustainable way.

Countries face different demographic, economic and healthcare challenges. Yet the underlying principle is consistent: health should be understood not only as a clinical priority, but as a driver of social and economic wellbeing.

Creating the right conditions to realise the value of innovation for people, economy and society requires shared responsibility and coordinated action across sectors.

Five priorities for unlocking the value of innovation

1. Strengthen research and development

Create supportive frameworks that encourage scientific progress and innovation.

2. Embed health in national strategies

Recognise NCD prevention, management and treatment as priorities for long-term socioeconomic development.

3. Transform healthcare delivery

Strengthen health system capabilities and bring effective care closer to people.

4. Accelerate digital transformation

Use digital technologies, data and smarter diagnostics to improve healthcare delivery.

5. Build cross-sector partnerships

Bring together governments, healthcare systems, industry and wider stakeholders to turn innovation into meaningful impact.

When you invest in health innovation, you invest in everything.

A smiling woman in glasses hugs an elderly man seated in a wheelchair in a cozy home, sharing a warm, affectionate moment.

In people and their potential. In stronger families and communities. In healthier, more resilient economies. And in a future where the benefits of medical progress can be realised by more people.

Explore the evidence behind the value of innovation

Read the independent WifOR research on the socioeconomic burden of disease and the wider value of innovative medicines across five countries.