Global Health diplomacy for noncommunicable diseases prevention and control: a systematic review

Background: The Caribbean region, with a population of around 17 million, has the highest burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the region of the Americas. It is estimated that diabetes and hypertension has an economic impact of around 5%-8% of the gross domestic product of the region. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how global health diplomacy contributed to the evolution of a collective Caribbean regional summit declaration to address the epidemic of NCDs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, and all the major databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, Global Health database and other available policy documents from various sources were screened. All articles available from 1910-2018 were extracted. From the total of 3223 titles, after filtering, the search narrowed down to 28 full texts that are included in this study. Policy documents and articles related to NCDs, global health diplomacy, and the Port of Spain Declaration (POSD) were the focused themes. Results: The Caribbean region showed significant commitment to the prevention and control of NCDs through its united voice and commitment since 2001. The successful rounds of negotiations for regional health have led to the formulation of the 15- point multisectoral POSD “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic NCDs.” This was the first Summit in the world where the Heads of Government focused on prevention and control of NCDs with a clear road map for policy implementation, collaboration, and collective action. This regional summit declaration gained global attention and resulted in the United Nations Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and as WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020. Conclusion: There is enormous scope for this evolving area of Global Health Diplomacy in addressing the future challenges of health security.

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Challenges and opportunities for Iranian global health diplomacy: lessons learned from action for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-021-00800-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohsen Asadi-Lari ◽

Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy ◽

Mohammadreza Maleki ◽

Leila Eslambolchi ◽

Mahnaz Afshari

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Global Health ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Healthcare Management ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Global Health Diplomacy ◽

Health Diplomacy ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

And Control

Abstract Background The steady rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide has been a key global health challenge. Governments have the primary responsibility for taking action to prevent and control NCDs. Given the growing importance of globalization of healthcare as well as the increasing use of soft power, governments need to identify challenges and opportunities to enhance global health diplomacy (GHD) for NCD prevention and control. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explain the challenges and opportunities of GHD for NCDs in Iran. Methods This study was conducted in 2020 using a qualitative approach and through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 21 experts and specialists in related fields such as health policy, healthcare management, epidemiology and other related specialties. The participants were selected from all levels of diplomacy, including global, regional and national levels, with at least 3 years of experience in managerial, executive and scientific activities. Data analysis was performed by content analysis with an inductive approach. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results The identified challenges were categorized into five main themes, including content challenges, structural challenges, process challenges, governance challenges and cultural challenges. Opportunities extracted from the interviews were also categorized into four main themes, including strong political will, utilizing the capacity of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), multisectoral collaborations and a well-developed health system. Conclusions NCD prevention and control requires a multilateral collaboration-based solution. Recognition of the challenges and opportunities in GHD can help draw significant lessons for building the necessary capacities and implementing more effective policies to prevent and control NCDs.

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The burgeoning role of global health diplomacy to alleviate suffering of cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 231-233

Author(s):

Melissa Adomako ◽

Alaei Kamiar ◽

Abdulla Alshaikh ◽

Lyndsay S Baines ◽

Desiree Benson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Health ◽

Evidence Base ◽

International Affairs ◽

Global Health Diplomacy ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Health Diplomacy ◽

Health Practitioners ◽

And Control ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract The science of global health diplomacy (GHD) consists of cross-disciplinary, multistakeholder credentials comprised of national security, public health, international affairs, management, law, economics and trade policy. GHD is well placed to bring about better and improved multilateral stakeholder leverage and outcomes in the prevention and control of cancer. It is important to create an evidence base that provides clear and specific guidance for health practitioners in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through involvement of all stakeholders. GHD can assist LMICs to negotiate across multilateral stakeholders to integrate prevention, treatment and palliative care of cancer into their commercial and trade policies.

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Global Health Diplomacy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Strategic Opportunity for Improving Health, Peace, and Well-Being in the CARICOM Region—A Systematic Review

Social Sciences ◽

10.3390/socsci9050088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 88

Author(s):

Vijay Kumar Chattu ◽

Georgina Chami

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Global Health ◽

Critical Role ◽

Well Being ◽

Foreign Affairs ◽

Global Health Diplomacy ◽

Equity Issues ◽

Health Diplomacy ◽

Health Goals ◽

Disease Epidemics

Increased globalization has ushered in changes in diplomatic purposes and practices. As such, global health diplomacy (GHD) has become a growing field connecting the urgencies of global health and foreign affairs. More academics and policy-makers are thinking about how to structure and utilize diplomacy in pursuit of global health goals. This article aims to explore how the health, peace, and well-being of people in the region can be achieved through global health diplomacy. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on various terms such as “Global Health Diplomacy OR Foreign Policy”; “Disasters”, “Infectious disease epidemics” OR “Non-Communicable diseases” AND “Caribbean” by searching PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science databases, and Google Scholar search engines. A total of 33 articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed, and the critical role of GHD was highlighted. There is an increasing need to understand the complex global health challenges, coupled with the need to design appropriate solutions. Many regional initiatives addressing infectious and chronic diseases have been successful in multiple ways by strengthening unity and also by showing directions for other nations at a global level, e.g., the Port of Spain Summit declaration. GHD has a great scope to enhance preparedness, mitigation, peace, and development in the region. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the region needs to strengthen its efforts on equity issues, health promotion, and sustainable development to promote peace and well-being.

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