Although it is generally accepted that human tissue biobanks are important to facilitate progress in health and medical research, many academic biobanks face sustainability challenges. We propose that biobank sustainability is challenged by a lack of available data describing the outputs and benefits that are produced by biobanks, as reflected by a dearth of publications that enumerate biobank outputs. We further propose that boosting the available information on biobank outputs and using a broader range of output metrics will permit economic analyses such as cost-consequence analyses of biobank activity. Output metrics and cost-consequence analyses can allow biobanks to achieve efficiencies, and improve the quality and/or quantity of their outputs. In turn, biobank output measures provide all stakeholders with explicit and accountable data on biobank value, which could contribute to the evolution of biobank operations to best match research needs, and mitigate some threats to biobank sustainability. •Biobanks play an essential role in facilitating basic and translational health research. In particular, biobanked human specimens are a critical component in personalized medicine approaches to human disease. Nevertheless, it has proved difficult to determine a value for academic biobanks that can be interpreted and used by all stakeholders. A lack of value confers a threat to biobank sustainability, a common challenge for biobanks across the world.•To determine accurate biobank values, we describe an approach for academic biobanks to enumerate a comprehensive range of currently underreported biobank outputs. Using a broader range of output metrics also permits economic analyses such as cost-consequence analyses, providing a more comprehensive and transparent decision-making tool for funders, decision makers, and policy makers.•Consideration is given to the consequences of a lack of biobank output data, and approaches to achieve an output focus are then discussed. This includes efforts from biobanks, funders, policy makers, journal editors, and conference organizers. Finally, the benefits of focusing on biobank outputs are articulated, including operational efficiencies for biobanks and achieving explicit and accountable values for other stakeholders. This is necessary for biobank sustainability, and ultimately for better support of health and medical research.