The growing recognition of environmental considerations in healthcare production and consumption is reshaping Health Technology Assessment (HTA) frameworks, according to a recent scoping review.
Current Advances in Environmental Integration
A comprehensive scoping review conducted between 2019 and 2023 analyzed the incorporation of environmental impact (EI) within HTA processes. Out of 264 screened studies, 15 met the inclusion criteria, underscoring the rising importance of EI in evaluating health technologies. The review emphasizes the necessity for robust and transparent methods to assess EI across the entire lifecycle of health technologies, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage and disposal.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite the advancements, integrating EI into HTA presents several challenges. Defining a clear scope for EI, selecting appropriate perspectives, and determining suitable time horizons for assessments remain significant hurdles. Additionally, the scarcity of disaggregated data on pollutant emissions and natural resource consumption complicates the assessment process. The review also highlights the need for actionable guidelines on how decision-makers and HTA agencies can effectively utilize EI data in their evaluations.
• Robust methods are essential for accurate EI assessment in HTA.
• Comprehensive life cycle analysis enhances EI evaluation.
• Data limitations hinder effective integration of EI into HTA.
To address these challenges, various methods have been proposed, including enriched cost-utility analysis, adjusted willingness to pay, and multicriteria decision analysis. More specific approaches such as information conduits, parallel evaluations, integrated evaluations, and environment-focused evaluations are also suggested to better incorporate EI into HTA frameworks.
HTA frameworks require significant adjustments to effectively incorporate environmental information, ensuring that the environmental impacts of healthcare technologies are thoroughly evaluated. Agencies and international organizations must establish clear and robust methods for EI assessment, while manufacturers need to enhance data generation regarding the ecological footprint of their products. Additionally, future research should focus on generating individual-level data to better understand the environmental implications of specific health technologies.
Expanding HTA to include environmental impacts not only supports sustainable healthcare practices but also provides policymakers with comprehensive insights to make informed decisions. By prioritizing environmental sustainability alongside clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness, the healthcare sector can move towards more responsible and eco-friendly practices. Stakeholders must collaborate to develop standardized EI assessment protocols and improve data transparency, ensuring that environmental considerations become an integral part of health technology evaluations.
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