Valuing maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health for societal progress - Going beyond the economic orthodoxy of gross domestic product

Abstract

Aim: In view of the long-standing recognition that gross domestic product (GDP) does not capture the unremunerated work largely conducted by women upon which societal well-being depends, to discuss the implications for GDP of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH), and its influences on health, well-being and prosperity across the life course and across generations.

Methods: A wide-ranging discussion of the informal think-tank The Venice Forum was held over two days, with inputs from invited experts in person and online.

Results: There was consensus that a strong case could be made for inclusion of unremunerated work largely conducted by women as a positive contribution to GDP in view of its impact on future health and prosperity, and conversely exclusion from GDP of outputs from industries which harm health.

Conclusion: Taken with the current challenges from COVID, climate change and conflict, there is a compelling need to redefine economic progress through equitable models and metrics that incorporate short-/medium-/long-term societal value of activities that improve MNCAH.

Keywords: COVID-19; child and adolescent health (MNCAH); climate change and conflict (3C's); gross domestic product (GDP); health equity; maternal; newborn.