London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Lucy Gilson, Professor of Health Policy and Systems at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and head of the Health Policy and Systems Division at the University of Cape Town, has been awarded the Virchow Prize 2024.

Professor Gilson jointly received the prize with Professor Johan Rockström for their holistic and systems-based approach to safeguarding human and planetary health.

The prize recognises Gilson and Rockström’s pioneering contributions to the analysis and understanding of the importance of equitable and efficient health systems and the decisive role of climate and planetary boundaries to preserve the conditions for healthy lives on our planet earth.

Professor Gilson said: “I am honoured by this award, but recognise it as acknowledging the crucial importance of the field of health policy and systems research – a field that demands attention for social justice, supports understanding of complex systems, and generates ideas about how to work with complexity in promoting health equity.

“This field is founded on collaboration and engagement and I am humbled by the many partnerships with researchers, health system leaders and civil society organisations that have supported my own learning over the years.”

Professor Gilson is a leading health policy and systems researcher with a background in development studies/economics. Through her research, she has been particularly focused on how to strengthen health systems to promote health equity.

This award recognises her research in driving transformative change towards more sustainable, resilient and just governance, while advocating for people-centred health systems and translating strategy into tangible improvements on the ground through innovative and consistent approaches.

Professor Liam Smeeth, Director of LSHTM, said: “Huge congratulations go to Professor Gilson on being a recipient of this year’s Virchow Prize. It is fantastic to see this prestigious prize highlighting the importance of health policy and systems research, which plays a vital role in LSHTM’s mission of improving our shared health.”

Professor Gilson completed her PhD at LSHTM in 1992 in the field of health economics and is an ongoing member of the Global Health Economics Centre at LSHTM, as well as being a staff member in the Department of Global Health and Development. She is currently the co-chief editor of the journal Health Policy and Planning, and was a member of the Health Systems Global Board 2014-2022.

She moved to South Africa to work in a specific country setting, recognising the importance of contextual understanding in research that supports health systems and their strengthening. Her joint affiliation with LSHTM and the University of Cape Town highlights the importance of creating meaningful bridges between the global south and global north.

The Virchow Prize under High Patronage of the President of the German Bundestag endowed with €500,000 recognises and celebrates innovations with significant impact on the broad health challenges we face as a global community. With this award, lifetime achievements towards “Health for All” are honoured.

The Virchow Prize highlights and supports the efforts of the United Nations to preserve the health of people and the planet through attainment of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals.