Transforming Public Health through Strategic Taxation

A webinar titled "Transforming Public Health through Strategic Taxation" is scheduled for 31 March 2025, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. Manila time (GMT+8), focusing on the role of health taxes in addressing public health crises and enhancing economic resilience. As the world faces various public health and economic challenges, the need for innovative solutions is critical. Health taxes, including excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages, are recognized as effective measures to reduce the consumption of harmful products while generating substantial revenue for governments, which can be reinvested into public health initiatives. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is organizing this webinar in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Tax Hub and the Center for Global Development (CGD), providing a platform for experts to share insights and discuss recent research and regional experiences. The event will include key presentations, such as a summary of the Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health report, the Philippine experience with health taxes, and recent ADB work on excise tax policies. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how health taxes can foster a healthier and more economically stable future. The webinar is open to ADB staff, consultants, and the external audience, with notable speakers from various institutions, including the Milken Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies. Interested individuals can register to join via Zoom using the provided password: ADBhsd2025.