scholarly journals Finding Adequate Information: A Major Challenge for Policy-Makers in the Field of Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 169s-169s
Author(s):  
A. Courtay de Gaulle ◽  
P. Bey ◽  
A. Carayon ◽  
A. Ly ◽  
C. Gombe M Balawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Information ◽  
Good Decision ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Breast ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
Innovative Therapies ◽  
Mechanisms Of Development

Background and context: A global cancer epidemic is developing (GLOBOCAN 2012). In the case of low- and-middle-income countries, difficulties are cumulative: inadequate health systems, lack of training for professionals. Drastic decisions have to be taken in a very complex field. Good decision needs good information. What about information dedicated to policy-makers: to decide a question, they need specific information, marked by these features: synthetic, clear, scientifically validated. Actually, this is not easy to find. Moreover policy-makers can't really benefit from: 1. Information for health professionals which is complex and overabundant (the request “cancer” on PubMed “out” nearly 1.5 millions references). 2. Documents or testimonials for patients. Written by scientific societies or patients' associations, they mostly focus on 2 topics “understand your disease” and “how to cope with”. 3. Information from the Web, not always reliable in terms of quality. Strategy/Tactics: While policy advisors and international organizations provide appropriate studies and reports, mostly focused on “what should be done”, we believe that knowledge of basic cancer data are necessary to understand the proposals. We talk about issues like “what is cancer”, “what exactly cover radiotherapy, oncological surgery…”. Regarding French speaking Africa, Alliance Ligues Africaines and Méditérranéennes (ALIAM) and The French League have produced targeted information for decision-makers. The document was presented in Brazzaville in June 2017. Access to this book is free: www.livre-cancer.aliam.org . The editorial method was discussed and we made the choice to write short sheets, to quickly understand the useful definitions and problems. Rather than comprehensiveness, a pedagogical will and a desire for clarity guided the writing. Diagrams and photos had to be abundant to facilitate understanding. Moreover, this format allows a permanent update of the subjects and the introduction of new topics as needed. What was learned: On the basis of this experience, ALIAM and the league are convinced that a pedagogic document with an international vocation would be useful for all policy makers. Proposal for action: UICC would be the perfect organizer of a working group to produce such a document. The goal would be to develop a consensus text which resume essential data on all common themes of cancer. About 25 themes could be identified, e.g., definition and mechanisms of development of cancers, risk factors, screening and early diagnosis, anatomic pathology and telepathology, molecular biology, imaging and interventional radiology, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and innovative therapies, palliative care etc. Moreover, focus on specific location of cancer (breast, cervix, lung…) and pediatric cancers should be developed. Then, it would be easier for any world regions to supplement this validated information with additional specific data describing the local situation. Hierarchizing action priorities would be facilitated.

scholarly journals Governing multisectoral action for health in low-income and middle-income countries: an agenda for the way forward

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Suppl 4) ◽  
pp. e000890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumanan Rasanathan ◽  
Vincent Atkins ◽  
Charles Mwansambo ◽  
Agnès Soucat ◽  
Sara Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Implementation Research ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Existing Structures ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Way

Drawing on experiences reviewed in the accompanying supplement and other literature, we present an agenda for the way forward for policy-makers, managers, civil society and development partners to govern multisectoral action for health in low-income and middle-income countries and consider how such an agenda might be realised. We propose the following key strategies: understand the key actors and political ecosystem, including type of multisectoral action required and mapping incentives, interests and hierarchies; frame the issue in the most strategic manner; define clear roles with specific sets of interventions according to sector; use existing structures unless there is a compelling reason not to do so; pay explicit attention to the roles of non-state sectors; address conflicts of interest and manage tradeoffs; distribute leadership; develop financing and monitoring systems to encourage collaboration; strengthen implementation processes and capacity; and support mutual learning and implementation research. To support countries to strengthen governance for multisectoral action, the global community can assist by further developing technical tools and convening peer learning by policy-makers (particularly from beyond the health sector), supporting knowledge management and sharing of experiences in multisectoral action beyond health, developing an agenda for and execution of implementation research and, finally, driving multilateral and bilateral development partners to transcend their own silos and work in a more multisectoral manner.

scholarly journals Primary care financing: a systematic assessment of research priorities in low- and middle-income countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 8) ◽  
pp. e001483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Goodyear-Smith ◽  
Andrew Bazemore ◽  
Megan Coffman ◽  
Richard Fortier ◽  
Amanda Howe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Delphi Round ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Low And Middle Income

IntroductionFinancing of primary healthcare (PHC) is the key to the provision of equitable universal care. We aimed to identify and prioritise the perceived needs of PHC practitioners and researchers for new research in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) about financing of PHC.MethodsThree-round expert panel consultation using web-based surveys of LMIC PHC practitioners, academics and policy-makers sampled from global networks. Iterative literature review conducted in parallel. First round (Pre-Delphi survey) elicited possible research questions to address knowledge gaps about financing. Responses were independently coded, collapsed and synthesised to two lists of questions. Round 2 (Delphi Round 1) invited panellists to rate importance of each question. In Round 3 (Delphi Round 2), panellists ranked questions in order of importance.ResultsA diverse range of PHC practitioners, academics and policy-makers in LMIC representing all global regions identified 479 knowledge gaps as potentially critical to improving PHC financing. Round 2 provided 31 synthesised questions on financing for rating. The top 16 were ranked in Round 3e to produce four prioritised research questions.ConclusionsThis novel exercise created an expansive and prioritised list of critical knowledge gaps in PHC financing research questions. This offers valuable guidance to global supporters of primary care evaluation and implementation, including research funders and academics seeking research priorities. The source and context specificity of this research, informed by LMIC practitioners and academics on a global and local basis, should increase the likelihood of local relevance and eventual success in implementing the findings.

scholarly journals The Impact of Trauma Care Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 507-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri A. Reynolds ◽  
Barclay Stewart ◽  
Isobel Drewett ◽  
Stacy Salerno ◽  
Hendry R. Sawe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Care ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Outcome Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Injury is a leading cause of death globally, and organized trauma care systems have been shown to save lives. However, even though most injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), most trauma care research comes from high-income countries where systems have been implemented with few resource constraints. Little context-relevant guidance exists to help policy makers set priorities in LMICs, where resources are limited and where trauma care may be implemented in distinct ways. We have aimed to review the evidence on the impact of trauma care systems in LMICs through a systematic search of 11 databases. Reports were categorized by intervention and outcome type and summarized. Of 4,284 records retrieved, 71 reports from 32 countries met inclusion criteria. Training, prehospital systems, and overall system organization were the most commonly reported interventions. Quality-improvement, costing, rehabilitation, and legislation and governance were relatively neglected areas. Included reports may inform trauma care system planning in LMICs, and noted gaps may guide research and funding agendas.

scholarly journals A bibliometric analysis of the global research on sofosbuvir

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1536
Author(s):  
Akram Hernández-Vásquez ◽  
Diego Rosselli
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Research Production ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
Intense Research ◽  
Global Research

In this article, we examine the research on sofosbuvir with a bibliometric analysis of global research production. The study of sofosbuvir has been a field of intense research in the past few years, with Latin American contributions playing a modest role. With continued drug development and approval of hepatitis C antivirals, research is expected to increase. Our findings will assist scholars and policy makers in their efforts to improve scientific research policies, with the goal of maximizing the access to treatments, especially in low and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Commentary: Does Twitter have a role in Family Planning in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Harrison ◽  
Saumya Ramarao ◽  
Dinesh Vijeyakumar ◽  
James McKinnon ◽  
Kristina Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Developing World ◽  
The Body ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Stakeholders are coming together to develop a vision for increasing access to family planning (FP) by 2030.  Of the 923 million women in the developing world who wish to avoid a pregnancy, 218 million women are not using a modern contraceptive (Guttmacher Institute, 2020).  In 2016, over 3.4 billion people were using the internet (https://ourworldindata.org/internet 2016). Moreover, internet users in the developing world use social media more frequently than Internet users in the U.S. and Europe. Of the many proposed actions to accelerate progress in family planning, the use of Twitter should be a key component.    In this commentary, we describe the use of Twitter in a select group of low-and-middle-income countries that have made commitments to the family planning 2020 initiative (FP2020 countries, and have the potential to leverage Twitter with current and potential family planning users. We examine Twitter feeds in eight key FP2020 countries, and we look at the content of Tweets issued by the ministries of health in most of these same countries.   Our view is that it is feasible and easy to access Twitter feeds in low and middle income countries. We base our view on the types of reproductive health and family planning terms discussed in a public forum such as Twitter by current and potential users and their partners and ministries of health. We highlight two broad considerations that merit discussion among interested stakeholders, including policy makers, program designers, and health advocates. The first relates to the use of Twitter within family planning programs, and the second relates to themes that require more significant research. Data coupled with analytical capacity will help policy makers and program designers to effectively leverage Twitter for expanding the reach of family planning services and influencing social media policy. Our aim is to not only to contribute to the body of knowledge but also to spur greater engagement by program personnel, researchers, health advocates and contraceptive users.

scholarly journals Do combination HIV prevention programmes result in increased empowerment, inclusion and agency to demand equal rights for marginalised populations in low-income and middle-income countries? A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001560
Author(s):  
Carinne Brody ◽  
Say Sok ◽  
Sovannary Tuot ◽  
Marija Pantelic ◽  
Enrique Restoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Combination Prevention ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Prevention Programmes

IntroductionThis systematic review aims to determine if combination HIV prevention programmes include outcome measures for empowerment, inclusion and agency to demand equal rights and measure the relationship between empowerment and HIV prevention outcomes.MethodsAn electronic literature search of PubMed, POPLINE, Index Medicus and Google Scholar was conducted between August and October 2018. We included studies that evaluated combination prevention programmes that had all three types of intervention components and that specifically serve members of populations disproportionately affected by HIV published from 2008 to 2018. The selected studies were screened for inclusion, and relevant data abstracted, assessed for bias and synthesised.ResultsThis review included a total of 15 studies. Findings indicate that combination HIV prevention programmes for marginalised populations have delivered a variety of theory-based behavioural and structural interventions that support improvements in empowerment, inclusion and agency. However, empowerment, inclusion and least of all agency are not measured consistently or in a standardised way. In addition, analysis of their relationships with HIV prevention outcomes is rare. Out of our 15 included studies, only two measured a relationship between an empowerment, inclusion or agency outcome and an HIV prevention outcome.ConclusionThese findings suggest that policy-makers, programme planners and researchers might need to consider the intermediate steps on the pathway to increased condom use and HIV testing so as to explain the ‘how’ of their achievements and inform future investments in HIV prevention. This will support replication and expansion of programmes and ensure sustainability of the programmes.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018106909

scholarly journals Product Space Perspective on Structural Change in Morocco

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Osorio Rodarte ◽  
Hans Lofgren
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Product Space ◽  
High Growth ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Moderate Growth ◽  
Manufactured Products ◽  
Space Approach

AbstractDrawing on international trade data, this paper uses the product space approach to analyze changes in Morocco’s goods exports in 1990–2010 and future export priorities. The level and moderate growth of Morocco’s gross domestic product match the predictions of product space analysis, informed by changes in the income potential of Morocco’s export basket, reflecting relatively strong capabilities in products with a relatively low potential to contribute to income growth and diversification. Morocco’s peripheral position in the product space points to the difficulty of diversification into more sophisticated products. Encouraging changes since 1990 include the development of a revealed comparative advantage in medium- and high-tech manufactures. However, the number of goods involved is relatively small and this transformation has not sufficed to raise per capita growth to the average for middle-income countries. Among sectors, high growth is likely for phosphate-based fertilizer exports. However, phosphates are hampered by low income and diversification potentials. Along with various other manufactured products, electronics and the automotive industry are promising sectors that may offer more lasting positive contributions. Beyond goods, policy makers should also consider the potential contributions of service exports, which in recent years have enjoyed rapid growth.

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