scholarly journals Five years from now, who will be setting the global health agenda?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e008045
Author(s):  
Anu Kumar
Keyword(s):  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Worku Tadesse ◽  
Kassu Ketema Gurmu ◽  
Selamawit Tesfaye Kebede ◽  
Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam

Abstract Background Evidence exists about synergies among universal health coverage, health security and health promotion. Uniting these three global agendas has brought success to the country’s health sector. This study aimed to document the efforts Ethiopia has made to apply nationally synergistic approaches uniting these three global health agendas. Our study is part of the Lancet Commission on synergies between these global agendas. Methods We employed a case study design to describe the synergistic process in the Ethiopian health system based on a review of national strategies and policy documents, and key informant interviews with current and former policymakers, and academics. We analyzed the “hardware” (using the World Health Organization’s building blocks) and the “software” (ideas, interests, and power relations) of the Ethiopian health system according to the aforementioned three global agendas. Results Fragmentation of health system primarily manifested as inequities in access to health services, low health workforce and limited capacity to implementation guidelines. Donor driven vertical programs, multiple modalities of health financing, and inadequate multisectoral collaborations were also found to be key features of fragmentation. Several approaches were found to be instrumental in fostering synergies within the global health agenda. These included strong political and technical leadership within the government, transparent coordination, and engagement of stakeholders in the process of priority setting and annual resource mapping. Furthermore, harmonization and alignment of the national strategic plan with international commitments, joint financial arrangements with stakeholders and standing partnership platforms facilitated efforts for synergy. Conclusions Ethiopia has implemented multiple approaches to overcome fragmentation. Such synergistic efforts of the primary global health agendas have made significant contributions to the improvement of the country’s health indicators and may promote sustained functionality of the health system.


2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1169-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony S Fauci
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Smith ◽  
Jeremy Shiffman

This chapter examines the politics of global health agenda setting, the process by which global health issues come to receive attention from actors that control or influence the allocation of financial, technical, human, and other kinds of resources. It suggests that the global health agenda is shaped by the capabilities of actors, including policy entrepreneurs, high-level champions, and networks; ideas, especially those surrounding problem definition, solutions, and causal stories; powerful interests, such as the economic and security concerns of wealthy countries and industries; and institutions, such as international law and trade regimes. Most studies of global health agenda setting are of a single case, and many are descriptive. To build the field, future research should supplement these studies with comparative, theoretically grounded inquiry.


Author(s):  
Jeremy Youde

The financial power of philanthropic organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has raised questions about the intersection of philanthropy and global health. This chapter examines how and whether philanthropy has an effect on the global health agenda. It begins by defining philanthropy and exploring how philanthropy operates in international relations, philanthropy’s historical role in global politics, and its relationship to larger power dynamics. The second section identifies key global health philanthropic actors and their roles in global health governance. The third section describes the potential positive roles that philanthropic organizations can play in global health, bringing new ideas and additional resources. The final section critiques the relationship between philanthropy and global health, paying particular attention to how financial clout could distort the global health agenda and whether philanthropy covers up larger structural imbalances that give rise to health problems.


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