Why are health statistics some of the OECD’s most popular indicators?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought health statistics into the spotlight, from tracking excess mortality to understanding the financial impact on healthcare systems. But health statistics are just as vital today as they were during the pandemic. In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Ashley Ward is joined by OECD Head of Health Accounts David Morgan and Policy Analyst Gabriel di Paolantonio to discuss how health data, like expenditure and mortality trends, helps countries benchmark progress, build resilient health systems, and prepare for future crises. Explore the work behind these datasets, from maintaining cross-country comparability to publishing real-time mortality statistics, and find out why OECD Health Statistics is a trusted resource for researchers and policy-makers alike, worldwide. Host: Ashley Ward, Advisor and Communications Manager (OECD Statistics and Data Directorate) Guests: - David Morgan, Head of Health Accounts, Health Division, (OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs) - Gabriel di Paolantonio, Policy Analyst (Secretariat of the International Forum on TOSSD) To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters