Health matters to us all. Beyond our health as individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a stark reminder of the impact public health issues can have on the global economy, the effective functioning of society, and the fortunes of individual companies. Now three years on from the start of the pandemic, should we consider public health to be a topic of enduring importance for investors? We firmly believe so.
What is public health?
Public health is generally considered to be the ‘science and the art’ of promoting health and preventing disease through societal choices and efforts, dealing with health at the population level rather than at the level of individual responsibility. It is about the collective action we take to benefit the health of the public, and it emphasizes prevention as much as treatment. The actions of the corporate sector can have significant influence on public health through what we consume, the conditions we work in, and the environment we live in. As investors, we have some responsibility to take a public health lens to our investments and assess and address the related risks and opportunities.
Interested in learning more?
Public health is coming under pressure from a range of factors. We discuss how we use engagement as a tool to drive positive change and highlight a range of related investment opportunities. Download the full ESG Viewpoint to discover more.
