As is often the case, financial imperatives focus the mind and act as a catalyst for change.

Here, Jim Yong Kim from Harvard Medical School encouraged delegates to think about the cost of heath and public services and to ask themselves whether that money was being spent optimally.

The implication was that it is not, and that a better understanding of how effective interventions can best be delivered is not only a good social objective but also financially prudent. Stated more bluntly: “Not investing in implementation research is crazy given that during President Obama’s eight years health care costs in the US will double”.

It does seem strange that we invest so much effort in developing effective services and products and so little in “cashing in” that investment by getting those services and products to the right people.