ESG Viewpoint: Health Matters – the importance of public health for investors

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.

6 April 2023

Letitia Byatt

Social Impact Analyst

Ellen Brauers

Associate, Responsible Investment team

Alice Evans

Responsible Investment Strategist

Key topics

Responsible investment

Risk Disclaimer

Views and opinions have been arrived at by Columbia Threadneedle Investments and should not be considered to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any companies that may be mentioned.

The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.

Engagement efforts outlined in this Viewpoint reflect the assets of a group of legal entities whose parent company is Columbia Threadneedle Investments UK International Limited and that formerly traded as BMO Global Asset Management EMEA. These entities are now part of Columbia Threadneedle Investments which is the asset management business of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Engagement and voting services are also executed on behalf of reo® clients.

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Risk Disclaimer

Views and opinions have been arrived at by Columbia Threadneedle Investments and should not be considered to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any companies that may be mentioned.

The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.