IUHPE International Conference on Health Promotion

Rypple recently led a forward-looking workshop at the IUHPE International Conference on Health Promotion in Abu Dhabi, bringing together global leaders, policy advocates, and practitioners committed to transforming the future of health systems.

Facilitated by the Rypple Foundation, in partnership with the Catalyst Europe Chapter, the session invited participants to explore how we can transition from reactive, treatment-based care toward proactive, prevention-first ecosystems.

Key Themes Explored

• The limits of current systems: Participants examined how rising healthcare costs, misaligned investments, and a persistent focus on treatment over prevention are eroding wellbeing.

• Introducing the “Health-ing Economy”: The Rypple team presented a bold reframe, advocating for economic models that create value through wellbeing, not sickness.

• Fiscal policy as a lever for change: The session explored how sin taxes, fiscal incentives, and preventive ROI tools can shift market logic and make healthy choices the easy default.

• Participatory design for policy futures: Attendees engaged in futures thinking and systems mapping to design more inclusive and sustainable public health strategies.

• Real-world case studies: Examples from Denmark, the UK, and New Zealand demonstrated how health systems can be rewired to reward prevention, equity, and long-term impact.

• Overcoming barriers: The workshop addressed challenges such as political short-termism, data complexity, and corporate resistance, offering strategies to build innovative governance models.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Going

This workshop reinforced that systemic change is not only necessary, it’s possible. With the right fiscal tools, governance frameworks, and collaborative design, we can build a future where health is valued, resourced, and achievable for all.