Sundhedsøkonomi

The past decade has brought to the fore the critical need to constantly envision and consider various scenarios where ongoing trends and sudden changes could together alter the provision of healthcare and the direction of medical research. This book brings together scholars whose areas of expertise represent different themes that are essential to understanding how healthcare might change and evolve over the next decade. What lessons can one take away from current and past developments? The themes explored by the book rest on four pillars. The first is the rapid pace and ubiquity of technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, additive manufacturing and wearable electronics. The second pillar concerns healthy aging, longevity and the management of chronic diseases. The third is the imperative to remain cognizant of the ethical dimensions of medical decisions, adapting bioethics to ongoing changes in healthcare provision. Finally, the fourth pillar relates to how uncertainty in different domains of medical knowledge can be mitigated and translated into clinical practice. For example, how should uncertainty with the results of clinical trials for a new treatment be dealt with? What cost-benefit analyses would be most appropriate for the situation? Chapter authors identify respective challenges and promising opportunities, discussing how these could contribute to envisioning the future scope of healthcare when it comes to providing medical, economic and ethical values to human societies.Chapters 1, 4, 12, and 20 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

A quest against all odds to change the hidebound American healthcare system, the priceless and hear-earned leadership lessons gained along the way, and a prescription for the future.In Here Be Dragons, Web Golinkin shares his leadership experience in helping to "retailize" the healthcare industry. Today, millions of people benefit from accessible, affordable healthcare at walk-in clinics close to their homes that are open seven days a week, providing high-quality basic healthcare at reasonable prices. In 2020-21, almost everyone in the United States benefited from the access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations that these clinics provided.But retail clinics did not emerge without a fight, as they faced strong opposition from the medical establishment, overly restrictive government regulations, and skeptical third-party payers, not to mention consumers who were conditioned to believe that quality healthcare could only be delivered in in an office or a hospital on someone else's schedule and without having any idea of its cost.Here Be Dragons is the true story of what happens when you are bold enough to try to effect significant change in a hidebound, multi-trillion-dollar industry. The fact that retail-based and urgent care clinics are now a permanent part of the healthcare landscape is evidence of success, but getting to this point for one of their earliest and leading movers has been a wild and frequently rough ride that challenged all the passion, endurance and street-smarts that Web could muster at every step along the way.

This book aims to introduce big data solutions in urban sustainability applications¿mainly smart transportation and healthcare systems. It focuses on machine learning techniques and data processing approaches which have the capacity to handle/process huge, live, and complex datasets in real-time transportation and healthcare applications. For this, several state-of-the-art data processing approaches including data pre-processing, classification, regression, and clustering are introduced, tested, and evaluated to highlight their benefits and constraints where data is sensitive, real-time, and/or semi-structured.

This book contains a set of papers which explore the subject matter of human and planetary health at various anglesThe year 2015 was a special year in the field of human and planetary health. In that year, the report, produced by the Rockefeller Foundation and the journal The Lancet, called "e;Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission  on planetary health"e; was launched. Also in 2015, the World Health Organization and the Secretariat of the Convention on  Biological Diversity published the report "e;Connecting global priorities: biodiversity and human health:  a state of knowledge review"e; with over 100 contributors, meant to guide future joint actions. Both documents comprehensively address the need for a better understanding of the connections between human health and ecosystems and the risks associated with damages to the integrity of the planet. The period in which humanity finds itself right now, the Anthropocene, is a risk one since mankind is putting the planet under considerable pressure. These elements have led to the emergence of a new field of research, namely planetary health. Planetary health seeks to address a very concrete and urgent contemporary problem, namely the need to understand, quantify, and act in order  to reverse the effects of human population growth and the acceleration of socioeconomic activities  on the environment and, inter alia, the disturbances in the Earth's natural ecosystems and how these, in turn, impact human health and well-being. Anthropic disturbances in natural ecosystems are characterized by changes in climate, land use, changes in the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle, chemical pollution of soil, water and air, reduction in the availability of drinking water, loss of biodiversity, destruction of the ozone layer, and ocean acidification, among others. In all these areas, there is a perceived need to document and promote examples of initiatives and good practice, which may change current trends. This book addresses this need. It documents experiences, case studies, and projects which explore the connections between human and planetary health and illustrates examples which show the consequences of ecosystemic disturbances to the health and well-being of humanity, with the emergence of new diseases, worsening of infectious diseases and increase in chronic non-communicable diseases related to the deterioration of the current food system, hyper-urbanization, microbial resistance, climate-led migration and zoonoses, among others.  Planetary health is a new effort to deal with the question of sustainability and human life on the planet under an increasingly integrative, transdisciplinary, and global perspective, since the problems of this planetary crisis cross geopolitical borders and academic boundaries and affect humanity as a whole. This book provides a contribution to this emerging field. Thanks to its design and the contributions by experts from various areas, it provides a welcome contribution to the literature on planetary health, and it inspires further works in this field.

The book discusses concepts and theories of general management and their specific applications related to public health and health care. Each chapter highlights the ideas and usefulness of different approaches in the context of health management. It addresses problems in different areas of healthcare systems management. It offers solutions in improving the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of health programs and systems. Some of the topics covered in the book include health systems and policy, epidemiology, biostatistics, population dynamics, health economics and finance,  logistics and supply chain, health research, health communication, quality management in health, and legal and ethical issues in health. The book serves as an indispensable resource for the faculties and students of health management or public health globally as well as healthcare professionals and researchers.

"Crowded Out examines how charitable crowdfunding so quickly overtook public life, where it is taking us, and who gets left behind by this new platformed economy. While crowdfunding has become ubiquitous in our lives, it is largely misunderstood by the public: rather than a friendly free market "powered by the kindness" of strangers, crowdfunding is powerfully reinforcing inequalities and changing the way Americans think about, and access, health care. Drawing on extensive research and rich storytelling, Crowded Out demonstrates how crowdfunding for health is fueled by, and further reinforces, financial and moral "toxicities" in market-based health systems"--

This book offers a novel, concise, but at the same time, broad picture of the challenges that the technological revolution has created for the healthcare system. It offers a comprehensive view of health sector actors' interaction with the emerging new technology, which is disrupting the status quo in health service delivery.

This book reviews the development of physics-based modeling and sensor-based data fusion for optimizing medical decision making in connection with spatiotemporal cardiovascular disease processes. To improve cardiac care services and patients¿ quality of life, it is very important to detect heart diseases early and optimize medical decision making. This book introduces recent research advances in machine learning, physics-based modeling, and simulation optimization to fully exploit medical data and promote the data-driven and simulation-guided diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Specifically, it focuses on three major topics: computer modeling of cardiovascular systems, physiological signal processing for disease diagnostics and prognostics, and simulation optimization in medical decision making. It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in personalized cardiac modeling by integrating physics-based knowledge of the cardiovascular system with machine learning and multi-source medical data. It also discusses the state-of-the-art in electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing for the identification of disease-altered cardiac dynamics. Lastly, it introduces readers to the early steps of optimal decision making based on the integration of sensor-based learning and simulation optimization in the context of cardiac surgeries. This book will be of interest to researchers and scholars in the fields of biomedical engineering, systems engineering and operations research, as well as professionals working in the medical sciences.

The healthcare industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing service industries in the world. The respective merits of public and private healthcare systems are continually debated, but a third system - that of healthcare cooperatives - is rapidly emerging as a universal, community-focused and cost-effective alternative. Rooted in remarkable examples from every corner of the world, World Healthcare Cooperatives highlights both the challenges a successful healthcare cooperative may face, as well as its proven effectiveness in making a difference.Understanding that, for many, especially in developing countries, private hospitals and healthcare insurance plans are expensive and out of reach, and that globally many public healthcare systems are under-resourced, chapters demonstrate how healthcare cooperatives have a critical role to play in providing services sustainably and at an affordable cost. Addressing the persistent gap between supply and demand in the healthcare sector, the authors highlight the capability of healthcare cooperatives to create a positive impact. With examples from Canada, Argentina, Japan, Africa, Brazil, Columbia, Sri Lanka, Spain, and India, chapters showcase the services that cooperatives can offer their communities, including the establishment of hospitals, medical facilities, and other infrastructure, as well as opportunities in biotechnology and information technology research.Considering more than 100 million households worldwide that have benefitted from healthcare cooperatives, this pioneering collection triggers a new direction of research to support those seeking to establish healthcare infrastructure in developing and least developed countries in achieving universal healthcare for all.

John Rogers (Specialist in Public Health Dentistry with more than 45 years' experience in management and policy development) and Jamie Robertson AM (over 40 years in private dental practice, extensive public governance and practice experience, and noted historian of the dental profession) look back on 50 years of public dental health in Victoria and Australia. They make a forensic examination of changes in oral health, shifts in government policy, professional practice, technological advancements and public expectations. With a lens focussed firmly on health equity, they ask how good oral health for all Australians can be achieved.While often taken for granted, good oral health is fundamental to good mental and physical health. Poor oral health precipitates and perpetuates low self-esteem and adversely affects a person's ability to eat a nutritious diet, find employment, and engage socially without embarrassment.Oral diseases cause pain and suffering. And yet, despite the well-meaning policy initiatives of some governments over the last half century, dental care remains out of the reach of many Australians and dental health inequality is increasing. While there are many reasons for poor oral health, it is often a clear sign of social disadvantage.Australia's public dental system is a tattered safety net failing Australians on lower incomes, forcing them to face long years waiting for general care. Dental care remains mostly excluded from Medicare. The mouth has been left out of the body. We urgently need a national conversation about how this situation can be remedied.In this unique history, the authors show how we have arrived at the current state of affairs. They trace oral health and disease alongside the complex interaction of social, political and economic factors over the past five decades. Drawing on the latest WHO Global Strategy for oral health, they delve into the past to chart a future in which better oral health is achievable for all.While there is a particular focus on Victoria, the issues are common across Australia and indeed the world.

John Rogers (Specialist in Public Health Dentistry with more than 45 years' experience in management and policy development) and Jamie Robertson AM (over 40 years in private dental practice, extensive public governance and practice experience, and noted historian of the dental profession) look back on 50 years of public dental health in Victoria and Australia. They make a forensic examination of changes in oral health, shifts in government policy, professional practice, technological advancements and public expectations. With a lens focussed firmly on health equity, they ask how good oral health for all Australians can be achieved.While often taken for granted, good oral health is fundamental to good mental and physical health. Poor oral health precipitates and perpetuates low self-esteem and adversely affects a person's ability to eat a nutritious diet, find employment, and engage socially without embarrassment.Oral diseases cause pain and suffering. And yet, despite the well-meaning policy initiatives of some governments over the last half century, dental care remains out of the reach of many Australians and dental health inequality is increasing. While there are many reasons for poor oral health, it is often a clear sign of social disadvantage.Australia's public dental system is a tattered safety net failing Australians on lower incomes, forcing them to face long years waiting for general care. Dental care remains mostly excluded from Medicare. The mouth has been left out of the body. We urgently need a national conversation about how this situation can be remedied.In this unique history, the authors show how we have arrived at the current state of affairs. They trace oral health and disease alongside the complex interaction of social, political and economic factors over the past five decades. Drawing on the latest WHO Global Strategy for oral health, they delve into the past to chart a future in which better oral health is achievable for all.While there is a particular focus on Victoria and Australia, the issues are common across the world.

Die Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts für das Gesundheitswesen verlangen nach neuen und innovativen Lösungen. Meist ist jedoch die Implementierung eben dieser neuen Prozesse die größte Herausforderung für Unternehmen und Gesundheitseinrichtungen. Sei es die Einführung einer neuen Technologie oder die Etablierung eines neuen Departments - nachweislich scheitern etwa 70 Prozent aller Projekte innerhalb von 36 Monaten. In einer immer schneller werdenden, transdisziplinären Wirtschaftswelt ist es von entscheidender Bedeutung, über die richtigen Implementierungs-Instrumente zu verfügen, um langfristige strategische Veränderungen nachhaltig umsetzen zu können.Das vorliegende Kompendium gibt Ihnen die wichtigsten Implementierungs-Frameworks an die Hand, um auf die Fragestellungen ihrer Organisation effiziente Lösungsprozesse für die Zukunft entwickeln zu können. Die Auswahl erfolgte auf Basis einer wissenschaftlichen Literaturrecherche. Mit zahlreichen Best-Practice-Beispielen aus der Gesundheitsbranche.

This book continues the discussion from Volume I on the risks organizations face in order to succeed with a special focus on the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 virus crisis. Taking on an interdisciplinary focus, the book brings together research from academics and practitioners from all over the world. Topics considered range from corruption in the health sector and COVID-19, eHealth efforts of countries during the pandemic, and fiscal policies and transparency in data sharing for effective management of the pandemic to a path forward to achieve health for all.

This book brings together contributions that explore various dimensions of the pandemic from a long-term development perspective. It also analyzes the existing policy responses and the gaps therein, to enable a greater understanding of how public policy ¿ during a pandemic like COVID-19 ¿ can be better aligned with the developmental challenges faced by individuals and households in India. Through its thirteen contributions, the book highlights the connection between the pandemic and development as deep and multilayered, and not unidirectional. It highlights how the existing inequalities and inequities in the system determined who gets impacted and to what extent, and how soon they can recover, if at all. It analyzes policies and programmes that have been implemented based mostly on the immediate pandemic crisis, and responded less to the pre-existing conditions that have shaped socio-economic outcomes. The book would be a great resource to study possible future responses to similar health disasters in a multi-cultural, multi-religion, multi-caste and multi-class melting pot like India.

This book uses an economic approach to analyze the socioeconomic causes and consequences of mental health disorders in China, with a special focus on mental depression. Based on a nationally representative dataset, we first investigate the prevalence and distribution of depression and depressive symptoms among Chinäs adult population, and then use several econometric methods to estimate the multi-dimensional disease burden of the mental disorder, such as its direct medical costs, its indirect economic costs, and its hidden costs on social trust and life satisfaction. In addition, we specifically address the socioeconomic determinants of mental health by examining how the relative and absolute economic status may determine people¿s mental depression. Lastly, we propose an analytical framework to evaluate the four major hurdles that cause the treatment gaps of mental health care, and discuss the policy options to overcome such hurdles and to address the unmet mental healthcare needs inChina and other developing countries. The book may facilitate our understanding on the complex determinants and implications of the rising prevalence of mental health disorders in developing countries like China. In addition to the students, teachers, and researchers in the fields of health economics and public health, the book may also be of interest to health policy makers and non-government agencies who are concerned with addressing the global mental healthcare challenges using economic policy tools.

This book tackles the oft ignored role of conservation capital in mainstream discussions in maintaining sustainable development of a country in particular, and the world economy in general. A continuous increase in global temperature trends, climate change, and other related factors has compelled academicians from natural as well as social sciences to reorient classical thought from high growth through large resource extraction, to sustainable growth through lower extraction. This leads one to the important role of generation of conservation capital to satisfy long-term growth and development objectives of economies. This book covers studies on the related issues of conservation capital, environmental crisis, and health impacts from the perspectives of different countries. The highlight is inclusion of some studies on the impact of environmental degradation in relation to COVID 19 pandemic. The book coaxes policy makers to rethink on the optimum useof environmental resources for economic and social activities. The broad coverage of studies included from different regions across the globe ensures that the book finds a wide readership among students and researchers from economics and other social sciences and natural sciences, along with policy makers intent on forming policies leading to a more sustainable growth model.

An obsessive true crime investigation of a bizarre and unlikely perpetrator, who’s serving the opioid epidemic’s longest term for illegal prescriptions — four life sentencesWritten in the tradition of I'll Be Gone in the Dark and True Crime Addict, combining Dopesick's heart rending portrayal of the epidemic's victims with Empire of Pain's examination of its perpetratorsThis haunting and propulsive debut follows a journalist’s years-long investigation into an old classmate of his father’s: former high school valedictorian Paul Volkman, who once seemed destined for greatness after earning his MD and his PhD from the prestigious University of Chicago, but is now currently serving four consecutive life sentences at a federal prison in Arizona.Volkman was the central figure in a massive “pill mill” scheme in southern Ohio. His pain clinics accepted only cash, employed armed guards, and dispensed a torrent of opioid painkillers and other controlled substances. For nearly three years, Volkman remained in business, despite raids by law enforcement and complaints from patients’ family members. Prosecutors would ultimately link him to the overdose deaths of 13 patients, though investigators explored his ties to at least 20 other deaths.This groundbreaking book is based on 12 years of correspondence and interviews with Volkman. Eil also traveled to 19 states, interviewed more than 150 people, and filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the release of nearly 20,000 pages of trial evidence.The American opioid epidemic is, like this book, a true crime story. Through this one doctor’s story, an era of unfathomable tragedy is brought down to a tangible, and devastating, human scale.

This guide provides practical tips for addressing menstrual health as part of urban development, water, and sanitation work in the Pacific to promote gender equality and well-being.It outlines the need to improve education about menstruation, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and boost access to sanitation facilities to support inclusive development and economic growth. It identifies how project design and implementation can immediately strengthen menstrual health. While the guide is intended to inform projects supported by the Asian Development Bank, it will also be relevant to other urban development and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.

The publication offers cutting-edge practice and research-based reflections on both the models and tools of development of contemporary managers and relevant future trends. The readers are presented with insights covering topics ranging from philosophical ideas, through physiological markers.

In the 19th century, those controlling the steel industry amassed considerable fortunes. Subsequently, the 20th century witnessed oil as the principal resource for accumulating wealth. Presently, data, often referred to as the new oil, are among the most valuable assets. Seven of the world¿s leading corporations, as measured by market value, were involved in data and artificial intelligence (AI) towards the end of 2019. This growth in Big Data and AI has spurred the fourth industrial revolution.Within this thesis, AI refers to the capacity of machines to execute tasks autonomously, based on algorithms, whilst adaptively responding to unfamiliar circumstances. As such, the thesis examines methods that empower computers to tackle problems that necessitate intelligence when resolved by humans. AI encompasses the study of intelligent problem-solving behaviour and the development of intelligent computer systems. Additionally, the emphasis here is placed on data-driven AI instead of rule-based AI.The central issue addressed in this thesis pertains to the discrimination faced by People of Colour (PoC), exacerbated by healthcare AI and algorithms. As detailed in the subsequent chapter, research has demonstrated that PoC are treated differently by medical technology; discrimination based on the algorithmic use of ethnic factors is a pervasive problem in hospitals.

Die Digitale Transformation im Gesundheitswesen ist in vollem Gange ¿ können dem aber auch alle Menschen in gleicher Weise folgen? Dieses Buch nimmt die Senior:innen in den Blick und thematisiert die Potenziale und Herausforderungen der Digitalisierung zur Steigerung der Lebensqualität für die ältere Menschen in ländlichen Räumen. Hierbei wird der Fokus auf den Erhalt der individuellen Autonomie und auf die Möglichkeiten sozialer Teilhabe in einer alternden Gesellschaft gelegt. Themen wie Akzeptanz digitaler Lösungen, Bedarfslagen in der Bevölkerung und Handlungsempfehlungen für Entscheidungsträger vor Ort sowie die Situation und Ansichten der (potenziellen) Leistungserbringer werden angesprochen.Neben der Vermittlung von grundlegendem Fachwissen vervollständigen Erfahrungsberichte aus der Praxis das Gesamtthema. Das Buch dient als Einstieg in dieses aktuelle Thema und öffnet den Blickwinkel für die Notwendigkeit der adressatengerechten Information über digitale Angebote, der Vernetzung der Akteure rund um digitale Lösungen und der Unterstützung der Leistungsempfänger im kompletten Prozess zwischen Angebot und Nachfrage. Hierdurch wird die Lücke zwischen Innovationen und deren Akzeptanz durch die Leistungsempfänger geschlossen.

This is the first known book on economic evaluations specifically geared to oral health professionals. The book serves as a starting point that explains the concepts and tools required for practitioners with little or no formal training or experience in economic evaluation to conduct such evaluations in oral health(care). It provides the foundation for applying economic evaluation principles to oral health programs as well as more advanced technical information for those interested in acquiring knowledge of health economics within the context of oral health care.In the book, the authors describe the different types of economic evaluation and discuss their role and application in oral health care. Topics explored among the chapters include:Why carry out an economic evaluation in oral health care?Aspects of decision modelling for economic evaluation in oral health careInterpreting economic evaluation in oral healthWorked examples in cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analysesAssessing the quality and usefulness of economic evaluation in oral health: a practical approach for cliniciansUsing economic evaluations to inform decision-making in oral health: TransferabilityEconomic evaluation: uses and potential uses in oral health policy developmentIntroduction to Economic Evaluation in Oral Health Care has an applied orientation that emphasizes practical solutions to managing existing problems and situations in oral health care. As such, the book is essential reading for oral health professionals including dentists, oral health therapists, and dental hygienists, as well as students in the oral health professions. The text is also an appropriate and useful resource for other health practitioners and managers who are interested in enhancing their practical understanding of economic evaluation including health economists and other health professionals and decision-makers.

Interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit prägt das Gesundheitswesen der Zukunft. Gemeinsam auf Augenhöhe erfolgreich sein, muss das Handlungsprinzip unterschiedlicher Berufsgruppen sein. Dies erfordert eine gut abgestimmte interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit, den Einsatz geeigneter Methoden und das Management komplexer Prozesse.Dieses Lehrbuch behandelt theoretische Zusammenhänge umfassend und systematisch. Es zeigt Möglichkeiten auf, interprofessionelle Teams zu leiten und erfolgreich zu gestalten. Dabei legt das Buch großen Wert auf methodisches, praxisnahes Handeln und verliert sich nicht in abstrakten Ideen. Arbeitsmethoden, Führungsverhalten und -modelle werden lösungsorientiert erläutert. Auch neue Ansätze, wie die laterale Führung und die Rolle des interprofessionellen Managers sind Teil des Inhalts.Das Buch richtet sich an Studierende, Projekt- und Teamleiter, Verantwortliche von interprofessionellen Teams und Qualitäts- und Risikomanager. Ziel ist, die eigene Rolle zu stärken und die Managementkompetenz zu unterstützen.Zu den vielfältigen Anwendungsgebieten zählen:Management und Führung interprofessioneller Teams im klinischen Alltag, in der Qualitätsentwicklung, im Prozessmanagement, Changemanagement, Konfliktmanagement und im Risikomanagement. Sprich im täglichen Miteinander der Berufsgruppen.

Die Babyboomer gehen in den nächsten 10 bis 15 Jahren in Rente ¿ was zu einer steigenden Zahl älterer Menschen und einer sinkenden Zahl von Leistungserbringern führt.In diesem Buch gehen Herausgeber:innen und Autor:innen diesem Problem auf den Grund, indem sie die Ursachen für den Mangel an Leistungserbringern und die begrenzten finanziellen Ressourcen untersuchen und Lösungen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven aufzeigen. Ein Schlüsselaspekt der Vorschläge ist die Verfügbarkeit von Gesundheitspersonal und wie dieses ausgebildet, angeworben, weitergebildet und gesund erhalten werden kann. Zudem behandelt das Buch die Bedeutung verbesserter Prozesse innerhalb des Gesundheitssystems. Mögliche Maßnahmen sind zum Beispiel die Qualifikation des Pflegepersonals, die Verringerung des Dokumentations- und Verwaltungsaufwands, Stichwort Digitalisierung, und grundsätzliche Überlegungen zur Nachhaltigkeit des Systems. Die Herausgeber:innen aktivierten für diesen Sammelband bewusst Praktiker und Wissenschaftler aus dem Gesundheitswesen, um ein möglichst breites Wissen zusammenzutragen. Ob Praktiker, Wissenschaftler oder einfach jeder mit Interesse am deutschen Gesundheitssystem ¿ dieses Buch bietet Leser:innen einen umfassenden Einblick in die zentralen Herausforderungen und zukunftsweisende Lösungen.

Digital healthcare is heterogeneous along the entire treatment pathway, ranging from monitoring applications and artificial-intelligence-based diagnostics, to support for virtual reality surgery. Since the introduction of the Digital Health Act in Germany in early 2020, there has been a push toward digital innovative solutions, especially in the outpatient sector.This book analyzes current digital health law from an economic perspective, combining theory with real-world applications. It examines both the incentives and market access pathways for digital solutions and the price effects brought about by the new regulatory framework in Germany. Further, it discusses the difficulties in pricing due to the monopolistic BfArM register and negotiations with the association of all German health insurance companies. The book addresses a wide range of topics, including incentives for innovation, specifics of digital health applications, reimbursement and financing options for digital health solutions. Lastly, it presents an outlook for the future and a comparison between Germany and other countries, namely the USA and Japan. Given its scope, this book will appeal to scholars of health economics, healthcare management and public health, as well as practitioners and professionals in the public health sector.

The cooperative banks' business model is unique in the financial market. It is featured by democratic foundations (one-head-one-vote principle), proximity to the members and the community they serve, limited profit-seeking nature, and prudent management. However, these principles are applied in a variety of organisational structures and economic and regulatory contexts, making cooperative banks significantly different from one country to another. This book expands existing knowledge on the European cooperative banking sector by analysing recent trends affecting cooperative banks. Namely, the book discusses the role of cooperative banks in the policy and societal movement towards sustainability, including in adopting sustainable finance practices. It explores the digital transformation journey of cooperative banks and the impact of the consolidation of Fintech players in the financial services markets. It further showcases the need to evolve the cooperative banks' governance structures and processes in order to foster (and in some cases restore) democracy and transparency in the decision-making. Lastly, the book debates the specific role of cooperative banks in the economic crisis that has followed the unfolding of the Covid-19 pandemic vis-a-vis their members and the communities they serve. Of interest to scholars, professors, students, and practitioners of banking and finance, this book will build on the existing research and explore the latest trends in the space.