The existing health paradigm, which has centered on ‘disease treatment’, is transitioning into ‘increasing years of healthy life and improving quality of life through disease prevention and healthcare’, in response to the Healthcare 3.0 era. The technological changes of the 4th industrial revolution are also breaking the boundaries of the current healthcare industry. Past medical approaches, which focused on the disease management of individuals, can no longer entirely fulfill the health needs of modern people. Pre-emptive and integrated preventive approaches must be taken to ensure that health needs are addressed and to promote the health of the diversified population. For example, this could include a population approach, an evidence-driven scientific approach, and a socioecological and multidisciplinary approach. In addition, a paradigm shift in healthcare science that corresponds to new innovations is required.

The Institute of Health and Science Convergence was established to create the knowledge, technology, and scientific evidence needed to improve public health welfare and overcome public social issues. This has been achieved through the establishment of a convergence system of health, medicine, welfare, and new technologies (ICT, AI, IoT, 3D printing, etc.) based on the big data of various sectors (healthcare, social welfare, environment, food, etc.) which are rapidly expanding in response to changing healthcare environments, paradigm shifts, and societal needs. We aim to substantially contribute to the development of ‘sustainable’ healthcare and welfare policies that can actively respond to the rapidly changing needs of our times.