In this issue of the Journal of Health Policy and Outcomes Research (JHPOR), we present four contributions that reflect key challenges and directions in contemporary health policy, health technology assessment, and system-level decision-making. Together, the articles illustrate how evidence generated at different levels of healthcare systems—from hospitals to national systems and global health—can inform more effective and sustainable policies.

The issue opens with a hospital-based HTA study by Wieczorek et al., exploring the advantages of rapid rituximab administration in oncology in real-world clinical practice in Poland. The authors demonstrate how organizational innovations at the provider level may translate into measurable clinical and economic benefits, reinforcing the growing role of local HTA in supporting managerial and policy decisions.

A global health and health economics perspective is offered by Roy et al., who critically review cost-of-disease studies related to the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Their analysis highlights substantial methodological variability and data gaps, underlining the need for more robust and comparable approaches to estimating the economic burden of large-scale public health crises.

In a system-level analysis, Nojszewski et al. examine the healthcare system in Estonia, providing insights into its organization, financing, and performance. This contribution adds a valuable comparative perspective and offers lessons relevant for countries pursuing digitalization and structural health system reforms.

Particular attention in this issue is drawn to the systematic review by Skibińska, which addresses AI-driven healthcare solutions, including diagnostic, robotic, and business applications, with a focus on implementation in the United Arab Emirates. This article captures one of the most dynamic areas of contemporary healthcare development, highlighting both the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the policy, regulatory, and organizational challenges associated with its adoption. As AI increasingly shapes healthcare delivery and management, this contribution is especially relevant for policymakers, HTA practitioners, and health system leaders.

We hope that this issue of JHPOR will stimulate further discussion and research at the intersection of health policy, technology assessment, and innovation, supporting evidence-based decision-making in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Sincerely,

Karina Jahnz-Różyk

Monika Szkultecka-Dębek

Joanna Lis