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IHPnews488:#AlmaAta40&Modicare(14September2018)

TheweeklyInternationalHealthPolicies(IHP)newsletterisaninitiativeoftheHealthPolicyunitattheInstituteofTropicalMedicineinAntwerp,Belgium.

DearColleagues,

Unsurprisingly,Septemberisshapingupasamonthchockfullofglobalhealthpolicy&HPSRrelatednewsandpublications,andOctoberwon’tbemuchdifferent.We’llkeepthisintroshortthen.Amongothers,thisissuewillzoominonthe40thanniversaryoftheAlmaAtadeclaration(ofcourse),thefinalweeksbeforeUNGA73inNewYork(includingthelastpreparationsforthehigh-levelmeetingsonTB&NCDs),globalhealthsecurityanalysisandnews(withamongotherstheGlobalPreparednessMonitoringBoardconveningforthefirsttimeinGeneva),WorldSuicidePreventionDay,theGlobalClimateActionSummitinSanFrancisco,GBDstudiesintheLancetonIndia(NCDs),andmuchmore.

SpeakingofIndia,inthisweek’sFeaturedArticleDeepikaSaluja(IHPresident&EV2016)sharessomeofherhopesandconcernsabout“Modicare”.

AndspeakingofEmergingVoices,inafewweeksfromnowthenewcohort’sF2FprogramstartsinLiverpool,abouttendaysbeforethe“big”HSRsymposiumkicksoff.Thefinalcountdownhasstarted!

TurnsoutI’mexpectedtotakeabloodyVirgintraintogettoLiverpool.FeelsaboutasannoyingassendingoutAmazonvoucherstowinnersoftheIHPevaluation,takinganUbercaborflyingwithRyanair.Inotherüber-capitalistnews,“Liverpool-ManchesterCity”on7Octoberstillhasafewseatsleft.Startingfrom£190,ahum.MaybeweneedsomeHPSRcrowdfunding“toleavenofootballfanbehind”:)

Enjoyyourreading.

KristofDecoster

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FeaturedArticle

Myhopesandworriesfor“Modicare”

DeepikaSaluja(IHPresident&EV2016)

India’sjourneytowardsUniversalHealthCoverage(UHC)isgainingspecialattentionsincetheModiGovernmentannouncedthecountry’slargesthealthcareprogrammeever,named‘AyushmanBharat’on1st Feb,2018 - just a yearbefore thegeneralelections scheduled in2019.Bywayofexample,RichardHortondiscussesinthisweek’sLancetOfflineCommenthowhealthwilllikelybeakeyissuein India’s 2019 general elections, quoting Modi as the first PrimeMinister of India “to prioritizeUniversalHealthCoverageaspartofhispoliticalplatform”.

TheAyushmanBharat(AB)Programme(whichmeans“blessedIndia”inliteraltermsor“healthyIndia”inthecontextofhealth)restsonthetwinpillarsoftheNationalHealthProtectionMission(NHPM-thesecondary&tertiarycaresocialhealthinsuranceprogramme)andtheestablishmentof150,000additionalHealthandWellnessCentres(HWCs-anupdatedversionofprimaryhealthcentresthatwillinclude a focus on wellness as well). In his Independence Day speech, Modi called the healthprotection scheme“PradhanMantri JanAarogyaAbhiyaan” (PMJAA -meaning thePrimeMinisterPeople’s Health Mission). The programme has had quite a multi-monicker journey since its firstannouncementinFeb,2018.Itsnamehasbeenchangedseveraltimes,allinthequesttofindaHindiname that would be acceptable to its target beneficiaries: from Modicare to National HealthProtection Mission (NHPM) to Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission (PMRSSM,meaningPrimeMinisterNationalHealthProtectionMission),andnowPradhanMantriJanAarogyaAbhiyaan(PMJAA).PMRSSMwasinterestinglydroppedforthepresenceoftheletters“RSS”(RashtriyaSwayasevakSangh-meaningNationalVolunteerOrganization)inthename,RSSbeingtheIndianright-wing,Hindu-nationalistvoluntaryorganization.Forthetimebeing,though,ModicareandNHPMarethenamesusedmostfrequently.

“Successor”ofRSBY&somelessonsfrommyPhD

Maybegoodtoknowforyou:IstudiedtheimplementationofRashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana(RSBY)inoneofthewesternstatesofIndiaformyPhDthesis.Usingatheorybasedevaluation,Iidentifiedthe accountability mechanisms available in the programme design of enrolment and tried tounderstandhowtheyfunctionedontheground.Basedonmy8-9monthsofextensivefieldexperienceinteractingwithmultiplestakeholdersfromalllevels(publicaswellasprivate;national,state,districtaswellaslocal),Ifoundthatmostofthesemechanismslargelyplayedasymbolicrole.Hence,IhavesomeseriousconcernsaboutthedesignandimplementationofthisnewlyannouncedAB-NHPM,asinmanywaysit’sthesuccessorofRSBY.Letmeexplainabitmoreindetailbelow,afterelaboratinghowNHPMdiffersfromRSBY.

TheNationalHealthProtectionMission(NHPM)aimstoprovidefreeaccesstosecondaryandtertiarycaretoover100millionhouseholdsforacoverageofuptoINR5lakhs(~7000USD)annually,withoutany limit in terms of family size and age of the householdmembers. RSBY, NHPM’s predecessorintroducedin2008,providedafinancialcoverageofINR30000(~500USD)forafamilyofupto5,to~36.33millionhouseholds(againstthetargetof60mnhouseholds).WhilethetargetpopulationforRSBYwasprimarilytheBelowPovertyLine(BPL)population(basedonthe2001Censusinamajorityof the implementing states) along with a handful of unorganized sector categories, NHPM has

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improved upon this, by considering the Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011 to identify its targetbeneficiaries.Still,alagof7yearswillresultintheexclusionofsomeeligiblebeneficiaries.

Enrolment (mandatory inRSBY)hasbeeneliminatedandreplacedbythebeneficiary identificationprocessforAB-NHPMatthepointofcontactforhealthcarei.e.healthcarefacilities.EliminationofthefirstpointofcontactwiththebeneficiariesviaenrolmentinNHPM,makestheroleofInformation,EducationandCommunication(IEC)activitiesevenmorecritical,asthebeneficiariesneedtoknowabouttheireligibilityfortheprogramme,programmefeaturesandbenefitsandwaystoaccessit.Donotassumethat thecurrentmassmediacoverageonModicarewill informthebeneficiariesofallthesedetails.

SimilartoRSBY,NHPMaimstoprovidecashless,paperlesstransactionstoitstargetbeneficiarieswithportabilityfeatures,i.e.beneficiariescangetthetreatmentthroughanyempaneledpublicorprivatehospital across the country. Evidence fromRSBY implementation pointed to difficulties in settlinginter-insurance claim settlements (in terms of delays and rejections). Also, like in RSBY, the newscheme will cover all pre-existing illnesses, pre-hospitalization, post-hospitalization andtransportationexpenses,thoughtheliteratureonRSBYreportsbeneficiarieswhoreceivedtreatmentunderRSBYincurredOOPexpendituresparticularlyonmedicinesanddiagnostics.TheNationalHealthAgency(NHA)andStateHealthAgencies(SHAs)–theagenciesestablishedatcentralandstatelevelsrespectivelytomanageandmonitortheimplementationoftheprogramme,willhavetoensurethattheimplementationofNHPMimprovesuponthemistakesidentifiedintheimplementationofRSBY,andmakeevidence-informeddecisions.

FindingsofmyPh.D.thesisalsohighlightedothercriticalissuesinthedesignandimplementationoftheRSBY,moreinparticulartheinvolvementofprivateactorsatmultiplelevels(Insurancecompanies,ThirdPartyAdministrators,SmartCardServiceProvidersandhospitals);theirvaryingpowerrelationswithdifferentlevelsofthegovernmentmachinery,lackofclarityonspecificrolesandresponsibilitiesofeachoftheseimplementingactors,oftenleadingtopoorcommunicationandweakco-ordinationamongst them while working on the ground, and all this coupled with weak accountabilitymechanisms.ItisclearthatmanyoftheseconcernswillneedtobeaddressedifimplementationofNHPMistobeeffectiveontheground.

Apprehensionsontheinvolvementoftheprivatesector,andregulatoryandmonitoringelementsinthedesignofNHPMmakethefindingsofmythesisevenmorepertinent.Intheabsenceofadequateaccountability mechanisms, challenges like overutilization of health care services through over-prescription of diagnostics and treatment, converting outpatient into inpatient care, selectivelychoosingprofitablecasesorhospitalschargingforcashlessproceduresarequiteforeseeable,havingbeenhighlightedseveraltimesintheimplementationliteratureofRSBY.

Nevertheless,‘Modicare’isseenasasignificantsteptowardsachievingthetwintargetsofSDG3.8ofreducingthefinancialburdenandincreasingpopulationcoverage.India’sHealthMinister,JPNaddaclaimsthat‘NHPMisgoingtobeoneoftheworld’slargestsocialhealthinsuranceprogrammesduetoitssheernumbersandthisschemeshallbeagamechangerfortheIndianHealthcare’.Alongwithitspreventivearmofestablishing150,000HWCsaiming toprovidecomprehensiveprimaryhealthcare,ABcanalsobeseenasimprovingonthethirdelement(theothertwobeingfinancialcoverageandpopulationcoverage)ofthe“UHCcube”, i.e. improvingaccesstoawiderrangeofhealthcareservices.AsNHPMgets thebulkof theattention, it is feared,however, that theHWCsmightnotreceivetheirdueresources.

Qualityconcerns

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In addition, while the focus is largely on increasing service coverage to ~40% of the country’spopulation,anotherpotentialchallengetheschemewill face is thequalityofservicesdelivered.ALancetarticlepublishedcoincidingwiththelaunchofTheLancetGlobalHealthCommissiononHighQualityHealthSystemsintheSDGerareportedthat2.4mnpeopleinIndiayearlydieduetotreatableconditions,outofwhich1.6mn(~66%)dieduetopoorqualityofhealthcare,andtherestduetonon-utilizationofhealthcare.While ‘Modicare’wouldpotentially increasetheutilizationofhealthcareservicesinIndia,itshouldalsoatthesametimefocusonensuring(andimproving)thequalityofhealthcareservicesdeliveredthroughitsempaneledhospitalsandHWCs.

Around6000privatehospitalsareexpected to joinNHPM,butnotallwouldbeaccreditedby theNationalAccreditationBoardforHospitalsandHealthcareproviders(NABH),anaccreditationboardestablished by the Quality Council of India (QCI) to ensure quality standards in the delivery ofhealthcare.Only540hospitalsacrossthecountryhaveNABHaccreditationcurrentlyandnotallofthemmay joinNHPM.Given the incentive of 15%higher rates for approved treatments toNABHaccreditedhospitalsand10%higherratestoentry-levelNABHhospitals,arisecanbeexpected(notsufficient,though)intheaccreditationofhospitalsasNHPMimplementationtakesoff.Withrespectto theHWCs,other than the inaugurationnewsof thesecentres indifferentpartsof thecountry,there’s not much information on the availability and utilization of resources in terms of staff,medicines,medicalequipmentsetc.andmoreimportantlyonhowthequalityofservicesdeliveryinthesecentreswillbemonitored.Bytheway, focusingonqualitywouldalsoneed integrationwithothersocialdeterminantsofhealthlikecleandrinkingwater,hygienictoilets,nutritiousfoodetc.aswellasappropriatehandlingofbio-medicalwaste,especiallyinthehospitals,topreventanyhospital-acquiredinfections(butalsointheirhomes).

Currentpicture&hopeforagoodstartofModicare

With the soft launchofNHPMbyModi on IndependenceDay,wenowhave 30 states andunionterritoriesonboard(withTamilNadubeingthelatesttojoin).21outofthe30stateswhoagreedtobeapartofNHPMareoptingforthe“trustmodel”(wherethestateestablishesatrustandhandlestheentireimplementationoftheprogramme)asopposedtothe“Insurancemodel”(wherethestatecontractsouttheinsuranceservicestotheinsurancecompanies).Withchangesintheimplementationdesignmodel,itwon’tbeeasytoavoidstatecapacitydeficitsandotherissuesofalignmentofcentralandstate level schemeswith respect topopulationcoverage, financial coverageaswellas servicecoverage,thatmuchisclear.Itwouldalsobeimportantforthestatestohaveclearlydefinedrolesandresponsibilitiesforeachoftheimplementingactorstoavoidanyambiguitiesatthetimeofrollout.

Onamorepositivenote,pilotshavenowstartedinmorethanhalfoftheagreedstatesandthefirstclaimunderNHPMhasalreadybeenraisedfromapublichospitalinHaryanaforanewbornbabygirl.

IfModicareisimplementedeffectively,thelandscapeofIndianHealthcarewillindeedsubstantiallybetransformedinthecomingyears.Withtheofficiallaunchdateof25thSeptemberquitenear,theNHAandSHAswillhavetogearuptheirpreparationfortheimplementationofNHPM.Ashiccupscanbeexpectedandareonlynormalifsuchahugeschemeistoberolledout,hopefullytheseagencieswillturnouttobe‘learningsystems’,beingquickandresponsiveinaddressingtheseinitialhiccups.

Lastbutnotleast,IalsohopethatModicaredoesn’tgetcaughtinasimilardestructivepolarizationprocessasisthecaseintheUSforObamacare.IndiansneedUHC,morethanever.

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Highlightsoftheweek

40thanniversaryof“AlmaAta”

Yes-entera“DesperateHousewives”voiceover-,thiswastheweekthat40yearsago,theAlmaAtaDeclarationsawthelight.Ifyoufirstwanttore-readtheoriginalAlmaAtadeclaration,seeAlmaAtaDeclaration-1978.

AnniversaryEvents

• OnWednesday(12September),the40thAnniversaryoftheAlmaAtaDeclarationwascelebratedattheJohnHopkinsBloombergSchoolofPublicHealthwithakeynotespeakersessionbyDr.RitaThapa,whowaspresentinthatroomatthetimeofsigningthedeclarationonSeptember12,1978.RepresentingNepalatAlma-Ata,sherecalls“thedeclarationasasingularmomentinherlifeandcareer”.Onthesameday,40yearslater,Dr.Thapasharedherjourneyandreflectionsonhowthingshavechangedoverthepast40years,andhowpromisingthefuturelooks(seeGHN:thelessonsfromAlmaAta).

• WealreadywanttoflaghereanotherupcomingAlmaAta40event,inAntwerpwhichwilltakeplacejustafewdaysbeforetheAstanaconferenceinOctober.

23rdOct,2018:InternationalSymposiumattheInstituteofTropicalMedicine,Antwerp,Belgium40yearsafterAlma-Ata:Primaryhealthcarein2018andbeyond,insouthandnorth.Formoredetails,seehere.FortheConceptNote:40YearsAfterAlma-AtaSymposium-Conceptnote

Somereads&analysis

OngoingblogseriesonAlmaAta40bytheHealthandHumanRightsJournal

Withamongothers:

Recommended:ALMA-ATAat40:CivilSocietyContinuestheCommitmenttoHealthforAll

Evenmorerecommended:ALMA-ATAat40:TimeforaCriticalHealthEconomics(bySaraDavis)

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Excerpt:“…Humanrightsandhealtheconomicscouldbecomplementary.Globalrightsstandards,includingAlma-Ata,recognizeinequality,discrimination,andotherbarrierstoaccessinghealthservices,butarefranklyunrealisticaboutbudgetaryconstraintsanddatagaps.Healtheconomicstoolsmayberealisticaboutresourceconstraints,withoutaddressingthecomplexbarriersdiscriminationandinequalitycreatetoaccessinghealthforthosemostoftenleftbehind.Tomovebeyondthisimpasse,humanrightsscholarsandhealtheconomistsshouldcometogethertoforgeacriticalhealtheconomicsthatrecognizesthathealthistheproductofapoliticalcontext,onethatshapesdataandevenresearchagendas.Morebroadly,wealsoneedtoworktogethertochallengetheconceptofthelimitedbucketoffunds—theparadigmofscarcitythatisbecomingincreasinglynormalized,atamomentofstarklygrowingglobalinequality….”

CheckoutalsoALMA-ATAat40:RevisitingtheDeclaration.

JHanalysis

DavidBishaietal,inJHmagazine-PrimaryHealthCareForAll—Alma-AtaDeclaration's40thAnniversaryRecommended!!

Ifyoucan’tgetenoughofDavidBishai,readalsoFromAlmaAtatoAstana:ourforkintheroadtowardsachievinghealthforall

MedicalHistory-VisualisingPrimaryHealthCare:WorldHealthOrganizationRepresentationsofCommunityHealthWorkers,1970–89 AMedcalf&JNunes;https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/medical-history/article/visualising-primary-health-care-world-health-organization-representations-of-community-health-workers-197089/A65B47A10DE38F003CD72B7AF552A445

Fascinatingarticle&oneofthereadsoftheweek.

“FortheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),the1978Alma-AtaDeclarationmarkedamoveawayfromthedisease-specificandtechnologically-focusedprogrammesofthe1950sand1960stowardsareimaginedstrategytoprovide‘HealthforAllbytheYear2000’.Thisnewapproachwascentredonprimaryhealthcare,avisionbasedonacceptablemethodsandappropriatetechnologies,devisedincollaborationwithcommunitiesanddependentontheirfullparticipation.Since1948,theWHOhadusedmasscommunicationsstrategiestopubliciseitsinitiativesandshapepublicattitudes,andthepolicyshiftinthe1970srequiredanewvisualstrategy.Inthiscontext,communityhealthworkers(CHWs)playedacentralroleaskeyvisualidentifiersofHealthforAll.ThisarticleexaminesaperiodofpicturingandpublicinformationworkonthepartoftheWHOregardingCHWs.ItsetsouttounderstandhowthevisualpoliticsoftheWHOchangedtoaccommodatePHCasanewpriorityprogrammefromthe1970sonwards.TheargumenttracksattemptstodefineCHWsandexaminesthetechniquesemployedbytheWHOduringthe1970sandearly1980stopromotetheconcepttodifferentaudiencesaroundtheworld.Itthenmovestoexplorehowtheprocesswasevaluated,aswellasthedifficultiesinprocuringfreshimagery.Finally,thearticletracestheserepresentations

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throughthe1980s,whencommunityapproachescameundersustainedpressurefromexternalandinternalfactorsandimagerytookonthesupplementaryroleofdefendingtheconcept.”

Newsclick–WhyaccesstohealthcareisabiggerproblemthanqualityinIndia

https://www.newsclick.in/why-access-healthcare-bigger-problem-quality-india

Weare40yearslaternow.Thisarticlewas,amongothers,recommendedbyRob“UHC”Yates.AndoneofthefirstreactionstotheHQSSreportfromlastweek,focusingonIndia.

WiththelaunchofLancetCommissiononHighQualityHealthsystemsintheSDGera,thearticlepointstothegeneraltrendofdiscussionsbeingdriftedtowardsqualityofcareintheIndianHealthcaresystembutalsohighlightsthatwiththisshiftinthefocusonquality,thepersistentquestionofaccesstohealthcaredoesnotbecomeanylessimportant.

(ReadthefeaturedarticleofthiseditionforadetailedreviewofAyushmanBharat)

Finalpreparations/negotiationsforHLmeetingsonTB&NCDsatUNGA73

IP-Watch-Shhh…UNDeclarationOnTuberculosisDraftTextOutForApproval

http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/09/11/shh-un-declaration-tuberculosis-draft-text-approval/

“Negotiators’agreeddrafttextforaUnitedNationspoliticaldeclarationonendingtuberculosisworldwidehasbeenpostedforallmemberstatestosee,andnegotiatorshope,notcommenton.UnderaUNprocedure,thetexthasbeenplaced“undersilence”until10:00amNewYorktimeon14September.Ifnoonebreaksthesilence,thetextisconsideredagreedandwilladvancetotheHigh-LevelMeetingontuberculosison26SeptemberaspartoftheannualUNGeneralAssembly….”

Notsureeverybodyis“enjoyingthesilence”:)

Forthedraftpoliticaldeclaration,seehere.

“…ThecompromisewasreportedlynegotiatedbyrepresentativesfromtheUnitedStatesandSouthAfrica.SouthAfricabrokethesilenceinlateJulyafterthedraftfollowedaUSdemandandstrippedoutallreferenceintheoperativeparagraphstotheWorldTradeOrganizationAgreementonTrade-RelatedAspectsofIntellectualPropertyRights(TRIPS).The16-pagedraftdeclarationsetsoutprinciples–suchasthebasisthatTBispreventableandcurable,andaffectsallpopulationsbutinequitably–andaseriesoffairlybroadcommitments,suchastobuildcapacity,promoteandencourageresearch,andmobilizefunding.Thedeclarationcallsforaprogressreportin2020,andanextheadsofstate-levelHigh-LevelMeetingin2023.”

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Andatweet:“Newtextmadepublicfor#UNHLMTBdeclaration.languageon#TRIPSpromotingpublichealthisbackinthetext.USwasresponsibleforitsremovalearlierwhileSouthAfricaplayedaverycriticalroleinbringingitbacktothetable.”(Cfrparagraph19)

EPHA-WhattoexpectfromtheUNHeadsofStatemeetingonNCDsinSeptember?EPHA;

Excellent&hard-hittinganalysisbyNinaRenshaw(Policy&AdvocacyDirectorNCDAlliance)Must-read!“….atthislatestageofthenegotiationsofthePoliticalDeclaration,thedrafttextthatHeadsofGovernmentandStatewillsigninSeptemberislackinginthestrength,clarityandambitionneededtoturnthetideonNCDsandtheirtollofpreventableprematuremortality.”

FormoreupliftingexpectationsontheNCDHLmeeting(scheduledfor27September),werefertothetweetsfromMennovanHilten(WHO).Forexample:

“HealthAttachéinGeneva:"Theoverarchingmessageat#HLM3#NCDswillbeoptimistic.Almost10MprematuredeathsfromNCDscanbeavoidedby2025ifPresidentsandPrime-Ministersdecidetoimplementthe16@WHObestbuysforNCDsendorsedbytheWorldHealthAssemblyin2017."

“DiplomatinGeneva:"Theworldisreachinganinflectionpoint.#HLM3isthetimeforPresidentsandPrime-Ministerstointensifytheireffortsduringthenext3-5yearstoputtheircountryontracktoattain#SDGstarget3.4on#NCDsby2030".”

Globalhealthsecurity

GlobalPreparednessMonitoringBoardconvenesforthefirsttimeinGeneva

http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-09-2018-global-preparedness-monitoring-board-convenes-for-the-first-time-in-geneva

Earlierthisweek,“WHOandtheWorldBankGroupconvenedthefirstmeetingoftheGlobalPreparednessMonitoringBoard(GPMB),anewbodysetuptomonitortheworld’sreadinesstorespondtooutbreaksandotherhealthemergencies.TheGPMBischairedbyDrGroHarlemBrundtland,formerPrimeMinisterofNorwayandformerWHODirector-GeneralandMrElhadjAsSy,SecretaryGeneraloftheInternationalFederationofRedCrossandRedCrescentSocieties,andincludessomeofthemostnotableleadersinglobalhealth….”

“TheGPMBhasbeenestablishedtomonitorprogress,identifygapsandadvocateforsustained,effectiveworktoensureglobalpreparedness.AtitsfirstmeetingatWHO’sheadquartersinGeneva,theGPMBtodaydiscussedkeyissuesinglobalpreparednessandagreeditstermsofreferenceandgovernancestructure.TheboardaimstopublishitsfirstreportontheglobalstateofpreparednessinSeptember2019.”

FortheshortspeechbydrTedrosattheoccasion,seehere.

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CNN-ThedeclineinvirussamplesharingisnotjustaboutChina

TBollyky&DFidler;https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/08/opinions/china-virus-sample-sharing-bollyky-fidler/index.html

“…USandglobalhealthofficialshavebeenconcernedaboutChina'ssporadicsharingofH7N9samplessince2013.ThelackofsharingoverthepastyearfitsthispatternanddoesnotappeartobearesponsetotheTrumpadministrationoritspoliciesontrade….”

…Itwouldbecomfortingtobelievethatthelackofsamplesharingwasthefaultofasinglebadactorandcouldberesolvedwithaneasingoftradetensions.Themoretroublingreality,however,isthattheglobalsystemforinfluenzasamplesharinggenerallymaybeweakening….”ThePandemicInfluenzaPreparedness(PIP)Framework,thatis.

Seeapoetictweet:"T.S.Eliotfamouslywrotethattheworldwouldendwithawhimperratherthanabang,butacoughmightbethelikelierscenario."@D_P_Fidler&Ion#Chinavirussharing”

TheConversation-Fluplane:arewereallyreadyforaglobalpandemic?

METurner;https://theconversation.com/flu-plane-are-we-really-ready-for-a-global-pandemic-102789?utm_medium=amptwitter&utm_source=twitter

No.Comingbackonlastweek’suproarontheEmiratesairlinerinNY,Turnerargues:“…Butiftheseeventsreallywerethestartofaflupandemic(aworldwidespreadofadisease),theworldisvastlyunpreparedforit.Thereispoorpublichealthsurveillanceinmanypartsoftheworld,therearen’tenoughvaccinestogoaroundandtheinternationallegalframeworkdesignedtoensurevaccinesgettothepoorestcountriesisnotfitforpurpose.”

Putdifferently:“…Ifthenextpandemicissevere,millionsofpeoplewilldie,largelyinpoorercountries,andlargelybecausetheyhavenoaccesstoavaccine–theonethingthatthePIPframeworkwasmeanttoresolve.”

ITMmagazine-Thisautumn...Africatakescharge!

Africatakeschargeofitshealthagenda.

Inthis7thissuethespotlightisonDrJohnNkengasong,ITMalumnusandnowatthehelmoftheAfricanCDC.Muchrecommendedinterview!

TheHill(Op-ed)-WecankeepsyntheticbiologymiraclescomingbyinvestinginUSresearchGGronvall;http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/405908-we-can-keep-synthetic-biology-miracles-coming-by-investing-in-us-research

“…TheU.S.iscurrentlythedominantforceinthesyntheticbiologyfield,boastingbiotechcompanieslikeSynlogicaswellasmajorresearchcenters.However,theU.S.can’taffordtobe

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complacent.Othernationshaveevaluatedthepotentialforsyntheticbiologytoimprovetheireconomies,andhaveinvestedaccordingly,includingtheUK,France,Japan,Germany,andespeciallyChina.China’sscienceisgrowinginsignificance,buttheindicatorsforU.S.sciencearegoingtheotherway….”

Op-EdbyGigiGronvall,aseniorscholarattheJohnsHopkinsCenterforHealthSecurityandauthorofSyntheticBiology:Safety,SecurityandPromise.

EbolaoutbreakDRC–“Comingdayswillbecriticalfortrajectoryoutbreak”(WHO)

Cidrap–Ebolainfects5moreinDRC,liftingtotalto137

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2018/09/ebola-infects-5-more-drc-lifting-total-137

“TheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC),inupdatesyesterdayandtoday,reportedfivemoreconfirmedEbolacases,includingtwofromtheurbanhubofButembo,oneofwhichinvolvesahealthworkerfromaclinicwherethecity'sfirstcasehadbeentreated.Inarelateddevelopment,theWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)saidinanupdateyesterdaythatalotofprogresshasbeenmadein6weeks,andcasesanddeathsinthepastweekdeclinedsignificantly.Itadded,however,thatcommunityresistance,weakinfectionpreventionandcontrolpracticesinhealthcenters,andriskofvirusspreadingtoinsecureareasarestillmajorthreats.Someareashavestabilized,buttheWHOsaidBeniisthenewhotspot,andresponseactivitiesarescalinguptoeasetheimpactofpotentialclustersinButemboandinMaserekahealthzone,thelatestnewareastoreportcases."Thecomingfewdayswillbecriticalindeterminingthetrajectoryoftheoutbreak,"theagencysaid….”

ThecurrentEbolaoutbreakis,tillnow,the8thlargestepidemicofthediseaseever.

SeealsosometweetsfromHelenBranswell(Stat)fromyesterday:

1."Thecomingfewdayswillbecriticalindeterminingthetrajectoryoftheoutbreak."Sosays@WHOinitslatest#Ebolasituationreport.There'sbeenadropinnewcases,butsignificantchallengesstillfacetheresponseoperation,includingsomecommunityresistance.

2.@WHOhasbeenreportingforawhilethatpeopleintheNdindineighborhoodofBeni,inparticular,haven'tbeencooperativewithcontainmentefforts.Asyet,though,Ihaven'tseen/heardafigureonpercentageofpeopleoffered#Ebolavaccinewhohaverefusedit.

3.Reportsays17healthworkershavebeeninfectedwith#Ebola,and3havedied.Believethisisnow18.Yesterdaythe@MinSanteRDCreport,whichisbasedonmorecurrentdata,revealedanotherHCworkerinfection.

4.@WHO#Ebolasitrepupdatesonthepatientswho'vereceivedexperimentalEbolatherapies.Basedondatato6Sept,29patientsweregiventherapies;9ofthemdied.Itnotes,though,thatallwhodiedwereinend-stagediseasewhenadmitted.Likelynothingworksthen.-30-

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LancetComment–Addressingthefragmentationofglobalhealth:theLancetCommissiononsynergiesbetweenuniversalhealthcoverage,healthsecurity,andhealthpromotion

GorikOoms,IreneAgyepongetal;

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32072-5/fulltext

“Globalhealthisfragmented.Manystakeholderspursuetheirownagendawhileneglectingotherimportantgoalsforglobalhealth.Someglobalhealthactors,forexample,focusonstrengtheninghealthsecuritywithoutattentiontouniversalhealthcoverage(UHC),primaryhealthcare(PHC),andpopulation-basedhealthpromotion.PreventionisakeypartofPHCandUHC,buteffortstoensurePHCormakeprogresstowardsUHCoftendonotincludepopulation-basedpreventionefforts…”

“TheLancetCommissiononsynergiesbetweenUHC,healthsecurity,andhealthpromotionaimstoovercomefragmentationandrealizethepotentialforcoherenceinglobalhealth.TheCommissionwillsystematicallyexamineintersectionsbetweentheseleadingagendasinglobalhealth..,identifyasetofkeypolicies,institutionalcapacities,decision-supportsystems,andinterventionsthateachcontributesacrossthethreeagendasandmakesprogressinoneareaamplifyprogressintheothers.Thefindingswillhelpthemanyanddiversestakeholdersinglobalhealthbetteraligntheirefforts,cooperatemoreefficiently,andsaveandimprovemorelives.

“ThesynergiesCommissionwillbeco-chairedbyIreneAkuaAgyepongandGorikOomsandhostedbytheLondonSchoolofHygiene&TropicalMedicine,theNorwegianInstituteofPublicHealth,andtheHeidelbergInstituteofGlobalHealth.”

“…ThesynergiesCommissionhasitsfirstmeetinginLondon,UK,onSept10–12,2018,andaimstopublishitsfinalreportin2020.”

TheLancetonDairyconsumption&cardiovasculardisease:“Dairyfoodinmoderationmightprotecttheheart”

Lancet-Associationofdairyintakewithcardiovasculardiseaseandmortalityin21countriesfromfivecontinents(PURE):aprospectivecohortstudy

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31812-9/fulltext

“Acohortstudyanalysingdatafrom21countriesshowsthatdietswithahighdairyconsumptionareassociatedwithlowerratesofmortalityandcardiovasculardisease.”

FortheaccompanyingLancetComment:Noneedtochangedairyfooddietaryguidelinesyet.

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Somekeymessagesviathepressrelease:

“TheLancet:Dairyconsumptionlinkedtolowerratesofcardiovasculardiseaseandmortality

Globalstudyfindsthatdietsthatincludewhole-fatdairywerelinkedtolowerratesofcardiovasculardisease,comparedtothosethatdidn’t.AuthorssaythatregionswithlowestintakesincludingsouthAsia,southeastAsiaandAfricamaybenefitfromincreasedconsumptionofdairy.

Dairyconsumptionofaroundthreeservingsperdayisassociatedwithlowerratesofcardiovasculardiseaseandmortality,comparedtolowerlevelsofconsumption,accordingtoaglobalobservationalstudyofover130,000peoplein21countries,publishedinTheLancet.Inaddition,thestudyfoundthatpeoplewhoconsumedthreeservingsofwholefatdairyperdayhadlowerratesofmortalityandcardiovasculardiseasecomparedtothosewhoconsumedlessthan0.5servingofwholefatdairyperday.Thefindingsareconsistentwithpreviousmeta-analysesofobservationalstudiesandrandomisedtrials,butstandincontrasttocurrentdietaryguidelineswhichrecommendconsuming2-4servingsoffat-freeorlow-fatdairyperday,andminimisingconsumptionofwhole-fatdairyproductsforcardiovasculardiseaseprevention.…

Guardiancoverage(SarahBoseley):Dairyfoodinmoderation'mayprotecttheheart'“Threesmallportionsofdairyadaymayactuallyprotectagainstheartdiseaseandstroke.”

WorldSuicidePreventionDay-800,000peoplecommitsuicideeveryyear:WHO

UNNews-Everyyear,closeto800,000peoplecommitsuicide,thesecondleadingcauseofdeathamongstpeopleaged15-29in2016.

WHOreleasedanewsuicidepreventiontoolkittomarkWorldSuicidePreventionDay.

GFF

SimonWright–AGlobalFinancingFacilityforlong-termchangeiswhatweneed

SavetheChildren;

Wright(SavetheChildren)givestheperspectivefromvariousactorsontheGFF(anditsperceivedadvantages).

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Excerpt:“…FortheWorldBank–andforotherswhoseethat,inatimeofstagnatingresources,innovativesolutionsareneededifcountrieshaveanyhopeofmakingfastprogresstowardstheSustainableDevelopmentGoals–theGFFisimportantbecauseitisamechanismtogetcountriestomakebetteruseofWorldBankmoney.HealthandnutritionoftenmissoutonInternationalDevelopmentAssociation(IDA)andInternationalBankforDevelopmentandReconstruction(IDRB)grantsandconcessionalloansastheyaretraditionallyusedforeconomicinfrastructure.WorldBankPresidentJimKimispushingcountriestousethesefacilitiesforhealthandtheGFFmechanismisalreadyshowingresults.However,loanshavetoberepaidandaresuitableforinvestmentsbutnotfortheongoingrunningcostsofafunctioninghealthservice.Forme,theGFFismostexcitingasanopportunitytoencouragecountriestoincreasetheirowndomesticresourcesforhealthandnutrition.Theonlysubstantialandlong-termsolutionisforgovernmentstotaxfairlyandallocatesufficientresources.ThisisespeciallytrueascountriestransitionfromaidmechanismslikeGaviandtheGlobalFund….”

AsyouknowtheGFFreplenishmenttakesplaceon6November,inNorway.2billionisthetarget.

Aid&developmenttrends

Inthissection,we’llprovidesomenews,analysis&trendsonvarioustraditional&newdonors(whethertheyliketheterm‘donors’isanotherquestion).

JapanandChinatakefirststeptowardjointinfrastructureabroad

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-Relations/Japan-and-China-take-first-step-toward-joint-infrastructure-abroad

“JapanandChinaaremovingaheadwiththeirplanstocooperateonoverseasinfrastructureprojects,withanewlyestablishedpublic-privatecommitteescheduledtoholditsfirstmeetinginlateSeptemberinBeijing.……JapanesePrimeMinisterShinzoAbeandChinesePremierLiKeqiangmetinTokyoinMayandagreedtocooperateoninfrastructureprojectsinthirdcountries.……JapanaimstoavoidexcessivecompetitionwithChinaoninfrastructureprojectsbycollaborating.ShowingsupportforBeijing'sBeltandRoadInitiativecouldalsoleadtobetterbilateralties.China,foritspart,seekstoavoidbeinglabeledoverseasasadisreputableinvestorbybringingJapanonboard….”

Ifyoucan’tbeatthem,join’em,Abeprobablythinks.

DukeCenterforPolicyImpactinGlobalHealth(Analysis)–TheForumonChina-Africacooperationsummit:whatisitandwhydoesitmattertoglobalhealth?

KKennedy;http://centerforpolicyimpact.org/2018/09/10/the-forum-on-china-africa-cooperation-summit-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter-to-global-health/

Must-readanalysisoftheFOCACmeeting(andpre-events)byKaciKennedy-fromaglobalhealthpolicyangle.Theconclusion:“TheFOCAC2018Summit—aswithmostofChina’shigh-levelforums—involvesadecentamountofpompandcircumstance.However,thesedeclarationsandhigh-level

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forumsgiveusanopportunitytoseeChina’spriorities.FOCACreaffirmshealthasafocalpointofChina’sdiplomaticengagementwithAfrica,andcomesasdevelopmentassistanceforhealth(DAH)continuestostagnate.The2018FOCACsummitanditsrelevantsidemeetingsreaffirmthatChinaispositioningitselftoleadinthisarea.”

ForanoverviewofwhatwasdecidedatFOCAC(intermsofhealth),seealsoUNAIDSnews-LeadersfromChinaandAfricacometogethertobuildstrongerandhealthiercommunities

SomeotherquicklinkswithanalysisonFOCAC:

CGD(blog)(byScottMorris)-FearingMarxisminChineseFinancing

“TheTrumpadministrationisworriedabouttheroleofChinesefinanceinspreadingMarxismaroundthedevelopingworld.Butit’sChicoMarx,notKarl,thattheyshouldbefocusedon.GrouchoMarx’sbrotherfamouslyaskedinDuckSoup,“whoyougoingtobelieve,meoryourowneyes?”

Quartz-Africancountrieswantmore“win”fromthewin-win,butChinaisn’tquiteready.

Guardian–Russia'sscrambleforinfluenceinAfricacatcheswesternofficialsoff-guard

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/sep/11/russias-scramble-for-influence-in-africa-catches-western-officials-off-guard

“RussiaisengagedinafranticnewscrambleforinfluenceinAfrica,whichisbeingspearheadedbyarashofmilitarycooperationandarmsdealssignedacrossthecontinentin2018….”

Apparently,thisistheonlynicheinwhichRussiais‘competitive’.

Devex-Macron'sdevelopmentvisiontakesshape

https://www.devex.com/news/macron-s-development-vision-takes-shape-93375

“It’sbeenaneventfulendtothesummerinFrenchdevelopment,asPresidentEmmanuelMacronbeginstopushhisvisionforaid.AddressingambassadorsinParisattheendoflastmonth,Macroncalledforanewlawtoencapsulatehisdevelopmentagenda,sayinghewantedtofoster“solidarityinvestment”[“investissementsolidaire”],includingmorepartnershipswithcivilsociety,youth,business,anddiasporas,andmoremoneyforambassadorstosupportlocalinitiatives.Thosepointswereamongtherecommendationsinagovernment-commissionedreportdeliveredthepreviousweekbyHervéBerville,amemberofparliamentfromMacron’sLaRépubliqueEnMarcheparty.

Then,lastMonday,theFrenchaidagency,AgenceFrançaisedeDéveloppement,issueditsstrategicplanfor2018-2022,asFrenchForeignMinisterJean-YvesLeDrianannouncedFrancewouldquadrupleitsgrantassistanceto€1.3billionin2019tobetterreach19prioritycountriesinAfrica….…Macronaimstohit0.55percentofgrossnationalincomespentonofficialdevelopment

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assistancebytheendofhismandatein2022—upfrom0.38percentin2016,asteptowardthe0.7percentUnitedNations-setbenchmark.……ThestrategicplanoutlinesfiveoverarchingcommitmentsforAFD:Tobe100%“compatible”withtheParisClimateAgreement;toensureallprojectsreinforcesocialcohesionandwell-being,includingaccesstoeducationandgenderequality;toengageinfragilecontextsinclosecollaborationwithdefenseanddiplomaticefforts;toincreasefinancingfornon-stateactors;andtoworkwithnewpartnerstoboostknowledge-sharingandeffectiveness….”

PartnershipEU&AfricaMeanwhile,inhisannualStateoftheUnion,“TheEuropeanCommissionPresidentJean-ClaudeJunckersaidonWednesdaythecontinent’sregionalblocwillproposeanewalliancewithAfrica,thatwillcreateupto10millionjobs.“

‘‘Today,weareproposinganewAllianceforSustainableInvestmentandJobsbetweenEuropeandAfrica,thatwouldhelpcreateupto10millionjobsinAfricainthenext5yearsalone,’‘Junckersaid.

SomemoreevidencethattheEU,likemostothercountries,isshiftingfromanaid-centeredapproachtoapartnershipapproachwithAfrica.

SeealsoanalysisbyVinceChadwickinDevex-EUannouncesneweconomicpackageonAfrica.

Including:“….ForBrussels,theworst-casescenariowouldbealossofbothpoliticalandeconomiccloutinAfricatothelikesofChinaandBrazil,aseniorEUofficialtoldDevex.Inthatscenario,Africanleaders“couldn’tcarelessaboutmigrationtoEurope,sotheysay‘whoeverwantstoleavetoEurope,leavestoEurope.’”HencewhyEUleadersaremeetingnextweektoconsiderofferingmoreaidasanincentiveforAfricanstatestohelppreventillegalmigration.”

Someotherreads:

CSISbrief-TheWorldisComingtoSub-SaharanAfrica.WhereistheUnitedStates?

“Sub-SaharanAfrica’sforeigncounterpartsareforgingcloserpartnershipswiththeregionbecausetheyseenewopeningsfortradeandinvestment,aswellasgrowingthreatsfromterrorism,criminality,epidemics,andirregularmigration.JustlikeChina,thesecountriesbelievethatAfricaisincreasinglyimportanttoawiderangeofeconomic,security,andpoliticalgoals.ThisuptickinengagementrepresentsaseachangeinAfrica'sforeignrelations.Whilemanyofthesecountries—includingChinaandtheGulfStates—havebeeninvolvedintheregionfordecades,thesheernumberofcountriesandsignificantinfluxofresourceshavereshapedthelandscape.TheUnitedStatesparadoxicallyissteppingawayfromtheregionwhiletherestoftheworldisleaningin.…”

DevexonUKaid:

AidministerdoesnotneedsignoffonODAspending,saysUKgovernment

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“TheUnitedKingdomgovernmenthasrejectedaproposaltogivethesecretaryofstateforinternationaldevelopmentultimateoversightandsignoffonaidspending,asever-moreofficialdevelopmentassistanceisspentoutsideherdepartment….”

UKwill'continuetoreassess'itsuseofODAdefinitionifreformscannotbemade

“TheUnitedKingdom’sDepartmentforInternationalDevelopmenthasreaffirmeditisnotafraidtobreaktheinternationalrulesgoverningaidspendingandhinteditcouldrunwithitsowndefinitionifitdoesnotachievethe“modernizationagenda”itisseeking.TheOrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment’sDevelopmentAssistanceCommitteecurrentlysetstherulesforits30membercountries,coveringthemajorityofdevelopmentaidspentglobally.However,theU.K.hasbeenpushingforseveralyearstobroadenwhatcanbecountedasofficialdevelopmentassistanceunderthecommittee’srules….”

South-SouthCooperationDay

UNNews-South-SouthCooperationDayfocusesinonsustainabledevelopment,a‘newphaseofcooperation’https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1019172

“Aspartofthe40thanniversaryoftheInternationalDayforSouth-SouthCooperation,theUnitedNationsdrewtogetheronWednesday,morethan100best-practicesdevelopedinthecountriesoftheGlobalSouth,whichembodythe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)and2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment.”

PS:atweet-OntheoccasionoftheUN#SouthSouthCooperationDay#SSC,the#G77&ChinaGenevaChapterand@South_CentrejoinhandstoorganizeaveryfirstbrainstormingmeetinginpreparationoftheSecondHigh-LevelUnitedNationsConferenceon#SouthSouthCooperation#BAPA40!

It’sclearthatSouth-SouthCooperationissurgingintheSDGera.

GlobalPartnershiponEffectiveDevelopmentCooperationmeetinginParis-2018Monitoringround

“Thebiennial,voluntaryGlobalPartnershipmonitoringisledbycountrygovernmentsandbringstogetherbilateralandmultilateralorganisations,theprivatesector,civilsocietyandparliaments,amongothers,tostrengthentheeffectivenessandresultsoftheirpartnershipsatcountrylevel.”

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JonathanGlennie–BalancingScopewithAccountability–AChallengeforDevelopmentEffectiveness

http://effectivecooperation.org/2018/09/balancing-scope-with-accountability-a-challenge-for-development-effectiveness/

Must-readanalysisbyGlennieaheadofthismeetinginParis,reflectingonwhathasbecomeofthe‘aideffectiveness’agendaand‘Paris’since2005.Heseessomestepsforward,andsomebackward.

Excerpts:

“…Fastforwardto2018(viamajormeetingsinAccra,Busan,MexicoCityandNairobi,andhundredsofsmallermeetingsbesides)andtwomainthingshavehappened.First,thefocusonbetteraidhasbecomehardwiredintotheinternationaldevelopmentcommunity.Perhapsthemosttellingdemonstrationofthisisthenumberofimpactevaluationsnowbeingcarriedout,manyofadetailed,oftenrandomised,nature.BeforeParisthesewerefewandfarbetween–todaytheyareparforthecourse.Andsecond,thelanguageofaideffectivenesshasevolvedintoafocuson‘effectivedevelopmentco-operation’or‘developmenteffectiveness’.Thisreflectsthebroadeningoutfromanobsessionwithaidtoanunderstandingthatwithallformsoffinance,resourcesneedtobeharnessedtofurtherglobalprogress,whetherpublic,privateorphilanthropic,bothdomesticandinternational.

“…Parisisdead’.Ithoughtatthetimehewasbeingabitmelodramatic,butIsoonbegantoseehispoint.Byexpandingthescopeoftheeffectivenessagenda,tocovermoresectors,morethemes,moregeographies,itsoonbecameimpossibletomaintainthatprocessofholdingthepowerful(donorsetal)toaccountfortheirspendingdecisions.……Butwhile‘impact’,‘effectiveness’and‘results’arenowattheheartofeverykeynotespeechonaidanddevelopment,‘ownership’and‘participation’arenolongerthebuzzwordstheyoncewerewheneveryonewasstillreadingRobertChambers….”

Oxfamhasanewboss

Devex-FreshstartforOxfamasnewCEOannounced

https://www.devex.com/news/fresh-start-for-oxfam-as-new-ceo-announced-93415

“AidinsiderssaiditwasthestartofafreshchapterforOxfamGBasitannounceditsnewchiefexecutiveonTuesday,followingatumultuoussixmonths.TheembattledcharitynamedDhananjayanSriskandarajah,currentlychiefexecutiveofficerofCIVICUS,aJohannesburg-basedglobalallianceofcivilsocietyorganizations,asitsnewhead.Describedbyinsidersasastrongadvocateofthe“globalsouth”andaprogressivethinkerondevelopment,heisduetotakeuptheroleattheendoftheyear.SriskandarajahtakesoverfromMarkGoldring,whohasoverseenthecharity’sresponsetoasexualmisconductscandalthatbeganearlierthisyear.Thathasincludedapackageofreforms,theresignationofitsdeputychiefexecutive,andanindependentreviewofitscultureandsafeguardingpractices….”

InotherOxfamrelatednews,checkout:

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HowcanCivilSocietyrespondtogovernmentcrackdownsaroundtheworld?NewOxfampaper(andhellotoOxfamGB’snewboss)

https://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/how-can-civil-society-respond-to-government-crackdowns-around-the-world-new-oxfam-paper/

ByDuncanGreen,onanewOxfampaper-Spacetobeheard:Mobilizingthepowerofpeopletoreshapecivicspace

Asia-Pacific:TwoInitiativesToEliminateMalariaOnceAndForAll

HPW-Asia-Pacific:TwoInitiativesToEliminateMalariaOnceAndForAll

“…theAsiaPacificLeadersMalariaAlliance(APLMA)announced–[today]attheWorldEconomicForumonASEAN–supportfortwonewinitiatives,BlendedFinanceforImpactandM2030.Asstatedinthepressrelease,externalgrantfundingtosupportmalariaeliminationisexpectedtodeclineintheregion….“Enterinnovativefinancing.

“BlendedFinanceforImpactisapartnershipoftheAsianDevelopmentBank(ADB),theGlobalFundtoFightAIDS,TuberculosisandMalaria,andAPLMAtoenableandincreaselong-termintegratedfinancingforhealth,includingmalaria.M2030aimstobringtogethersomeofthemostinfluentialbusinessesinAsiatoraisefunds,engageconsumersasagentsofchangeandsustainpoliticalsupportformalariaelimination.InlinewiththeobjectivesofBlendedFinanceforImpact,theADBtodayannouncedanewRegionalHealthFund….”

SeealsoDevex-Asia-Pacificturnstoinnovativefinancetostampoutmalaria

G20&globalhealth

TheG20thirdSherpameetingtookplaceinArgentina.Justatweet:

“Pleasedwithoutcomeofthediscussionsontheleaders’communiquéat#G20whichsupportsglobalhealth,sustainablefinanceandthesustainabledevelopmentagenda@SDG@g20org�@DrTedros�”

I’mnotexpectingmuch,tobehonest,givenArgentina’scurrentpredicament.

Related,aDevexop-ed(byADonnellyetal)-Opinion:G20leadershipontacklingdiseasewouldsavelivesandmoney

With3callstoactionforG20:“1.G-20membersshouldpooltheirnationalpublichealthandscientificexpertisetosupportglobaleffortstocombatAMR.2.AcommitmentfromG-20membersis

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neededtosteadilyincreaseinvestmentsinhealthresearchanddevelopment,andofferinnovativefinancingoptions.3.TheG-20mustprovidepoliticalleadershiptoaddresstheinter-relatedissuesofAMR,pandemicpreparedness/responseandPovertyRelatedNeglectedDiseases(PRNDs).”

(Ohyeah,Ialsowantthemtotackleplanetaryhealth,atlast,anddealonceandforallwithglobalinequality:))

Sawsomeofthesegentlemen(yes,allgentlemen–Putin,Xi,Abe,…)atasummitinRussia,ontv,thisweek.I’dberathersurprisedifglobalhealthorevensustainabledevelopmentwasontopoftheirauthoritarian/nationalistminds.

NewStatisticsShowCancerBurdenRisingInTheWorld,LungCancerBiggestKiller

HPW-NewStatisticsShowCancerBurdenRisingInTheWorld,LungCancerBiggestKiller

“Cancerisrisingandisexpectedtobecometheleadingcauseofglobaldeathsinthe21stcentury,accordingtoexpertsfromaWorldHealthOrganizationresearchagencyoncancer.Lungcanceristhemostcommonandtheleadingcauseofcancerdeaths,theagencyfoundinitsnewlypublishedstudy,thefirstsince2012.However,politicalcommitmentlagsbehindwhenitcomestoprevention,speakerssaidatapressbriefingattheUNinGenevatoday.TheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC)[today]launcheditsGlobalCancerStatistics2018,estimatingincidenceandmortalityworldwidefor36cancersin185countries.……ThestudybuildsonananalysisoftheaccessibledatabaseGLOBOCAN2018,partoftheIARCGlobalCancerObservatory.TheIARCistheresearchagencyoncanceroftheWHO,andislocatedinLyon,France.“

“…Thereportestimatesthatsome18.1millionpeoplewillbediagnosedwithcancerin2018,and9.6millioncancerpatientswilldie.…”

SeealsoUNNews-Cancerisagrowingglobalthreatandpreventioniskey,UNstudyshows.

LancetGlobalHealth(Comment)-Livercirrhosisinsub-SaharanAfrica:neglected,yetimportant

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30344-9/fulltext

“Clinicaleffortsandresearchonliverdiseaseshavebeenscarceinsub-SaharanAfrica.ThefirstConferenceonLiverDiseaseinAfrica(Nairobi,Sept13–15,2018),gatheringallstakeholdersfromthecontinent,isawelcomesteptowardsgreaterattentiontotheproblem,andtheimportantissueoflivercirrhosis….”

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RichardSmith(blog)–WhoandWhataremedicaljournalsfor?

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/2018/09/06/what-and-who-are-medical-journals-for/

Withoutanydoubt,oneofthereadsoftheweek.Startingfrom‘PlanS’,SmithdwellsonthehistoryoftheLancetandBMJ,amongothers.Amongothersonthequestionwhethermedicaljournalsshouldbepolitical,entertaining,…&muchmore.

“…Thepossiblefunctionsofjournalsarethusinforming,reforming,disseminatingscience,educating,providingaforumforacommunitytodebatetheissuesoftheday,entertaining,andmakingmoney.Ibelievethatagoodjournalwilldoallofthesethings,tryingalwaystomaintainabalance….”

Heconcludes:“Medicaljournalshavemanyfunctionsanddiversecustomers.Theyseemtobegoodatstirringupdebatebutpoorataffectingchange.Traditionallytheyhavebeenmoreconcernedwithauthorsthanreaders,buttheirfuture—iftheyhaveafuture—liesinbeingmoreconcernedwithreaders.”

Lancet(Letter)-SupportforUNRWA'ssurvival

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32264-5/fulltext

ByKarlBlanchet&150+othersignatories.

“…UNRWAisnowfightingforsurvival.OnAug31,2018,theTrumpAdministrationconfirmedthattheUSA,previouslyUNRWA'slargestdonor,willnolongerfundUNRWA.FundingcrisesarenotnewtoUNRWA.Thiscrisis,however,isunprecedented….…Ifactionisnottaken,governmentswillbegivingthegreenlighttoaruinousmultifacetedemergency,onetheregionsimplycannotbear.We,scientistsandscholars,urgeourgovernmentstosupportUNRWAnow,sustainingUNRWAservicesandtherebyavertingfurtherlossoflife,dignity,andhope.”

SeealsoaLancetWorldReport-FundscutforaidintheoccupiedPalestinianterritory

“InthewakeoftheUSA'scutstoPalestinianaid,healthintheoccupiedPalestinianterritorymightbejeopardisedbyafundingshortfall.SharmilaDevireports.”

Leftpopulism&globalhealth?

It’sincreasinglyclearthatglobalhealtheitherhastosidewiththeMacrons,Merkels&Trudeausofthisworld–who,foralltheirflaws,wanttomaintainamultilateralorder,thoughwith(somewhatmitigated)neoliberalcharacteristics,andtry(oratleastproclaimtotry)avoidingrunawayclimatechangeusing,however,capitalistapproaches–orinsteadbackleft-wingpopulismasadvocatedbyChantalMouffe.

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Tworeadsrelatedtothislatteroption:

Guardian-Populistsareontherisebutthiscanbeamomentforprogressivestoo(ChantalMouffe)

“Neoliberalismhascreatedgenuinegrievances,exploitedbytheradicalright.Theleftmustfindanewwaytoarticulatethem.”

OpenDemocracy-Leftpopulismovertheyears(byCMouffe&RBechler)

(longread)“Aconversationabouttheriseoftheright-wingsincetheturnofthecentury,whatthistellsusaboutliberaldemocracy,andthedeepeningofdemocracyneededinresponse.”

Andonefromaslightlydifferentangle,onthefutureofinternationalleft:

BernieSandersintheGuardian-AnewauthoritarianaxisdemandsaninternationalprogressivefrontVaroufakis&manyothersseemtoagree.

“Inordertoeffectivelycombattheriseoftheinternationalauthoritarianaxis,weneedaninternationalprogressivemovementthatmobilizesbehindavisionofsharedprosperity,securityanddignityforallpeople,andthataddressesthemassiveglobalinequalitythatexists,notonlyinwealthbutinpoliticalpower.”

StartBacheletasUNHighCommissionerofHumanRights

UNNews-NewUNrightschiefpledgestopushbackon‘centuriesofprejudiceanddiscrimination’

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1018882

“TheUN’snewlyappointedHighCommissionerforHumanRights,MichelleBachelet,intendstopushback“centuriesofprejudiceanddiscrimination”againstvulnerablegroupsincludingwomenandthepeoplesoftheGlobalSouth,bypushingformoreconsensusbetweenMemberStates,shesaidonMonday.”Bacheletisclearlya“toughcookie”,andsoIhavehighhopesaboutherstintasUNHumanRightschief.

SeealsotheGuardian-UNhumanrightschiefsendsteamtoItalyafter‘alarming’anti-migrantviolence.

AndReuters-U.N.rightschiefBachelettakesonChina,otherpowersinfirstspeech.

UNNews-Alarminglevelofreprisalsagainstactivists,humanrightsdefenders,andvictims–newUNreporthttps://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1019082

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Bacheletwillhaveherhandsfull.“Analarmingand“shameful”levelofharshreprisalsandintimidationagainstthosewhocooperatewiththeUnitedNationsinanefforttoupholdhumanrights,hasbeenrevealedbyanewUNreportlaunchedonWednesday.TheninthannualreportofSecretary-GeneralAntónioGuterresdetailsthelevelofretaliationagainsthumanrightsdefendersonacountry-by-countrybasis,includingallegationsofkilling,torture,arbitraryarrests,andpublicstigmatizationcampaigns,whichalsotargetvictimsofrightsabuse.”

PlanetaryHealth,conflict&globalhunger

UNNews-‘Directexistentialthreat’ofclimatechangenearspointofnoreturn,warnsUNchief

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1018852

“Theworldriskscrossingthepointofnoreturnonclimatechange,withdisastrousconsequencesforpeopleacrosstheplanetandthenaturalsystemsthatsustainthem,theUnitedNationsSecretary-GeneralAntónioGuterreswarnedonMonday,callingformoreleadershipandgreaterambitionforclimateaction,toreversecourse.”

Hecalledforrenewedcommitmentandannouncedahigh-levelU.N.summitonclimatechangein2019.

Meanwhile,inSanFrancisco,theGlobalClimateActionSummitistakingplace,withafocusonsubnational&privatesectoraction.“Thesummit,hostedbyCaliforniaGov.JerryBrown—andwithsupportfromothermajorplayers,includingphilanthropistMichaelBloomberg—willgiverisetoarangeofnewcommitments,someofwhichhavealreadybeguntotricklein….”

Formoreinfo,seethe‘PlanetaryHealth’sectionbelow.

Guardian-Globalhungerlevelsrisingduetoextremeweather,UNwarns

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/11/global-hunger-levels-rising-due-to-extreme-weather-un-warns

“Globalhungerhasrevertedtolevelslastseenadecadeago,wipingoutprogressonimprovingpeople’saccesstofoodandleavingoneinninepeopleundernourishedlastyear,withextremeweatheraleadingcause,theUNhaswarned.Hungerafflicted821millionpeoplelastyear,thethirdannualrisesince2015,withmostregionsofAfricaandmuchofSouthAmericashowingworseningsignsoffoodshortagesandmalnutrition.Morethanhalfabillionoftheworld’shungryliveinAsia.Thereversalofprogressmadeinslowingmalnutritioninthefirsthalfofthisdecadehascausedseriousconcernamonginternationalagencies.Climateshocks,suchasdroughtsandfloods,wereidentifiedbytheUNas“amongthekeydrivers”fortherisein2017,alongwithconflictandeconomicslowdowns.Nearly100millionpeoplewereleftdependentonhumanitarianaidduringtheyear….”

ForthenewFAOreport,see2018:Thestateoffoodandsecurityintheworld

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ForeignPolicy-WhyGrowthCan’tBeGreen

JasonHickel;https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/12/why-growth-cant-be-green/

“Newdataprovesyoucansupportcapitalismortheenvironment—butit’shardtodoboth.”

Guardian-Starvation:aweaponofwarthatcouldkill590,000childrenbytheendof2018

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/sep/10/starvation-a-weapon-of-war-that-could-kill-590000-children-by-the-end-of-2018

“Starvationbeingusedasaweaponofwarhasbecomethenewnormal,accordingtoSavetheChildren.Itsanalysisshowsmorethanhalfamillioninfantsinconflictzonescoulddieofmalnutritionbytheendoftheyeariftheydonotreceivetreatment,theequivalentofoneeveryminute.ThecharitymakesitsownestimatesusingUNdata,andprojectsthat4.5millionunder-fiveswillneedtreatmentforlife-threateninghungerthisyearinthemostdangerousconflictzones–anincreaseof20%since2016.Atcurrentrates,onlyoneinthreewillreceivetreatment,and590,000coulddieasaresult.ThedataemergedaheadofTuesday’slaunchoftheUNannualreportonfoodsecurity….”

LancetWorldReport–CrisisintheChadBasinhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32250-5/fulltext

“Thoseintheregionarecontendingwithdisplacement,malnutrition,drought,andpooraccesstohealthcare,9yearsaftertheBokoHaraminsurgencybegan.SharmilaDevireports.”

LancetGBDseriesonNCDsinIndia

Lancet–https://www.thelancet.com/gbd?utm_campaign=gbdindia18&utm_source=carousel

“FiveGlobalBurdenofDiseasestudiesreportthefindingsonthehealthinIndia,focusingoncardiovasculardisease,cancers,chronicrespiratorydiseases,diabetes,andsuicidedeaths.”

Lancet–Offline:ThenewpoliticsofhealthinIndia

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32211-6/fulltext

““Thereisafull-blowncrisisinIndia.”SosaidRahulGandhi,PresidentoftheIndianNationalCongressParty,duringavisittotheLondonSchoolofEconomicslastmonth.Hewastalkingabouta“jobscrisis”.Butthereisalsoahealthcrisis,asfivepaperspublishedacrossthreeLancetspecialtyjournals—LancetOncology,GlobalHealth,andPublicHealth—setoutthisweek.Nowistherightmomenttobedebatingthefuturehealthoftheworld'slargestdemocracy.InApril,2019,IndianvoterswillgotothepollsinthemostimportantgeneralelectionsinceIndiaachievedindependence

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in1947.Thenewgovernmentwillnotonlysetafreshcourseforhealthpolicy.ItwillalsohavetheopportunitytoredefinetheideaofIndiaforanewgeneration….”

“HealthshouldbeanimportantissueinIndia'scominggeneralelection.ThefiveLancetpapersrevealadangerouslyrapidepidemiologicaltransition…”(intermsofNCDs)

MaybeI’moverinterpretinghere,butHortonsomewhathintsatfavoringModi(becauseof“Modicare”).“ModihasgraspedtheimportanceofhealthnotonlyasanaturalrightforIndia'scitizens,butalsoasapoliticalinstrumenttomeetthegrowingexpectationsofIndia'semergingmiddleclass.ModiisthefirstIndianPrimeMinistertoprioritiseuniversalhealthcoverageaspartofhispoliticalplatform….”

YoumightalsowanttoreadthisLancetComment-InformingNCDcontroleffortsinIndiaontheeveofAyushmanBharat(byBBhargavaetal).

TheysummarisethekeypolicyimplicationsofthefindingsoftheIndiaState-LevelDiseaseBurdenInitiative.

AndthissadGuardianreport-Nearly40%offemalesuicidesoccurinIndia.

SRHR

Devex-ForcedtochoosebetweenUSandSwedishfunding,sexualhealthNGOsspeakout

https://www.devex.com/news/forced-to-choose-between-us-and-swedish-funding-sexual-health-ngos-speak-out-93369

«SexualandreproductivehealthandrightsNGOsstrugglingtodeliverservicesinthewakeoftheUnitedStates“globalgagrule”havespentayearcaughtbetweendonors,aftertheSwedishaidagency,akeyfunderofsexualandreproductivehealthandrights,saiditcouldnotsupportorganizationsthatgoalongwiththerule.Thatdecision,activiststoldDevex,isunintentionallymakinglifeharderforthemontheground….”

“…InJuly2017,theSwedishInternationalDevelopmentCooperationAgencyannounceditwouldwithdrawfundingfromgroupscontractedtocarryoutSRHRprogramsiftheycompliedwiththeU.S.rule.Sidaarguesthatcompliancewiththegagrulewouldinterferewithacontractor’sabilitytocarryoutSwedish-fundedSRHRservices.Butadvocateshavedescribedthemoveasa“counter-condition”andsayitisforcingNGOstochoosebetweenU.S.andSwedishfunding.TheyalsosayithasledtosomeSidasubgranteeshavingtheircontractscancelled….”

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AnnualReportGF:GlobalFundPartnershiphasSaved27MillionLives

https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2018-09-12-global-fund-partnership-has-saved-27-million-lives/

“TheGlobalFundtoFightAIDS,TuberculosisandMalariareleasedareport[today]demonstratingthat27millionliveshavebeensavedbytheGlobalFundpartnership.Thereportshowstremendousprogressthathasbeenachievedbyeffortstoendtheepidemics,whilehighlightingnewthreats.TheResultsReport2018includeskeyannualresultsachievedincountrieswheretheGlobalFundinvests:17.5millionpeoplereceivedantiretroviraltherapyforHIV.5millionpeopletestedandtreatedforTB.197millionmosquitonetsdistributedtopreventmalaria….…Theprogresscomesagainstthebackdropofnewthreatstoglobalhealth.”

Jean-YvesleDrian,FrenchMinisterforEurope&ForeignAffairs,wasamongthehostsofthisreport.Theeventlaunchedpreparationsforthe6thReplenishmentConferenceoftheGlobalFund,scheduledforLyononOctober10,2019.(cfr.FranceDiplomatie)

WorldBankLaunchesFirstSustainableDevelopmentNotesLinkedtoNewGlobalSustainabilitySignatoriesIndex

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/09/10/world-bank-launches-first-sustainable-development-notes-linked-to-new-global-sustainability-signatories-index

“TheWorldBank(InternationalBankforReconstructionandDevelopmentorIBRD),ratedAaa/AAA,willforthefirsttime,issueUSdollar-denominatedsustainabledevelopmentnotesthatprovideinvestorsreturnexposuretotheenvironmental,socialandgovernance(“ESG”)performanceofUNGlobalCompactsignatoriesthroughtheGlobalSustainabilitySignatoriesIndex7.5%VCER….”

Notquitesurewhatthismeans,butI’mguessingthisisimportantfromanSDGpointofview:)

Lancet(Perspective)–Rwanda:nottheofficialnarrative

LaurieGarrett;https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32124-X/fulltext

LaurieGarrettreviewsJudithRever’sbook–“InPraiseofBlood:TheCrimesoftheRwandanPatrioticFront”.

Garrettwonders,“…WhatifKagame,likeMyanmar'sNobelPeacePrizerecipientAungSanSuuKyi,islessavictimthananethniccleansingconspirator?”

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Someotherquotes:““…ThestoryofamorallydisciplinedRPFrescuingRwandafromthebrink,tosaveTutsisfromagenocide…Thisstorywaseasiertocomprehendthanwhatactuallyhappened.”

““…Thetruth,nomatterwhataiddonorsseemtobelieve,isthattheRPFhasneverstoppedtheviolence”,Reverwrites.“Kagamekilledbeforethegenocide.Hekilledduringthegenocide.Andhekilledafterthegenocide.TheWest'sunbridledsupportonlyfedtheregime'ssenseofimpunity.”

Somekeypublications

CriticalPublicHealth-TheCommissiononSocialDeterminantsofHealth:Tenyearson,ataleofasinkingstone,orofpromiseyetunrealised?

TedSchrecker;https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09581596.2018.1516034

“TenyearsaftertheAugust2008releaseofthereportoftheWHOCommissiononSocialDeterminantsofHealth,itisimportanttoreflectonthefateofitsrecommendationsforreducing‘healthinequity’.Thearticledescribessomekeydevelopmentsinthedecade,notablyinunderstandingtheetiologyofhealthinequalities,andthenjuxtaposesahopefulcomparisonwithofanearlier(1987)UNCommissiononEnvironmentandDevelopmentwithascepticalviewbasedontheexpandingsocialscienceliteratureonthepoliticsofeconomicinequality.”

BMJGlobalHealth–Institutionalisinganevidence-informedapproachtoguidelinedevelopment:progressandchallengesattheWorldHealthOrganization

UGopinathan&SHoffman;https://gh.bmj.com/content/3/5/e000716

“Thisstudyexploredexperiences,perceptionsandviewsamongWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)staffaboutthechanges,progressandchallengesbroughtbytheguidelinedevelopmentreformsinitiatedin2007…”Theylist5keythemes&tworemainingchallenges.

ORF-Securingthe21stCentury:MappingIndia-AfricaEngagement

https://www.orfonline.org/research/42593-securing-21st-century-mapping-india-africa-engagement/

Thisnewbookfeatures,amongothers,achapterbyKabirSheikh&AnnsIsaacson“StrengtheningHealthSystemsinIndiaandAfrica-AConvergingAgenda”.

Cfratweettogiveyouahunch:“By2050,Africawillbe56%urban,andIndia,50%.Theemergenceof“mixed”healthsystemsislinkedtorapidurbanisation.”

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BMJGlobalHealth(Editorial)-Healthsystemsresearchonaccesstomedicines:unpackingchallengesinimplementingpoliciesinthefaceoftheepidemiologicaltransition

MaryamBigdeli,ZubinCShroff,AbdulGhaffaretal;https://gh.bmj.com/content/2/Suppl_3/e000941

Editorialintroducingaspecialcollection.Recommended!

MilibankQuarterly-SystemsThinkingasaFrameworkforAnalyzingCommercialDeterminantsofHealth

CKnaietal;https://www.milbank.org/quarterly/articles/systems-thinking-as-a-framework-for-analyzing-commercial-determinants-of-health/

“…ThisarticleshowshowacomplexsystemsperspectivemaybeusedtoanalyzethecommercialdeterminantsofNCDs,anditexplainshowthiscanhelpwith(1)conceptualizingtheproblemofNCDsand(2)developingeffectivepolicyinterventions.”

ODI(report)–FinancingtheendofextremepovertyMManueletal;https://www.odi.org/publications/11187-financing-end-extreme-poverty

“…Inthepast25years,theworldhasmanagedtohalvethenumberofpeoplelivinginextremepoverty(WorldBank,2015).Yetdespitethisprogress,atleast400millionpeoplewillstillbelivingonlessthan$1.90adayby2030.Overhalfofthesepeoplewillbeinlow-income,fragilecountries.Thisresearchreportpresentskeyfindingsandanalysisfromresearchonwhatneedstobedonesothatwecandelivertheglobaltargettoendextremepovertyby2030.Itfindsthatamongsomeofthepoorestcountriesthereiscurrentlyafundinggapof$125billioneachyearforhealth,educationandsocialprotection,whicharecrucialforreducingpoverty.Althoughincreasedtaxationcouldclosethisgapinmostmiddle-incomecountries,low-incomecountrieswillremainreliantonaidtofundthesesocialsectors.Thereportrecommendsthatdonors:(1)Focusaidonthosecountriesthatareleastabletofinancetheirownpublicspendingtoendextremepoverty,evenaftermaximisingtheirtaxrevenueswithOECDDACdonorsincreasingtheirshareofaidtoleastdevelopedcountriesfrom29%to50%;(2)Increasingfundinginthesecountriesforthecoresocialsectorsofhealth,educationandparticularlysocialprotection,and(3)IncreasingglobalaidfromOECDDACdonorsto0.7%ofGNI.

Somekeyblogs&articles

Bloomberg-JackMaTalksAboutHisPlansAfterRetiringFromAlibaba

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-08/jack-ma-talks-about-his-plans-after-retiring-from-alibaba

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Apparently,Jackwantsto“goBill(Gates)”.He’llfocusmoreoneducation,though.

AsforJeffBezos,heannounceda$2billionphilanthropiceffortfocusingonhelpinghomelessfamiliesandstartingpreschoolsinlow-incomecommunities.IntheBezosDay1Fund.SeealsotheGuardian-JeffBezostofundschoolswhere'childwillbethecustomer'withnewcharity.

QuotefromaUSDemocrat,Khanna:““ThebiggeststatementMrBezoscouldmakeisbyraisingthepayofworkersinhisowncompany.Philanthropywillnotsolveincomeinequalityorstagnantwages.RaisingwageslikeHenryForddidin1914wouldmakeadent.””

LancetLetter–ImprovingtheavailabilityofhealthresearchinlanguagesotherthanEnglish

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30384-X/fulltext

“…DiscussionsontheHIFAforumunderlinetheimportanceandurgencyofaddressinglanguageissuesasabarriertohealthinformationaccess.Specifically,wecallonthemedicaljournalpublishingindustrytotakeactiontoaddressthisanomaly.Thesimplestfirststepwouldbeforjournalstomakeatleasttheabstractavailableinthemainlanguageorlanguagesofthecountryinwhichtheresearchwasdone.“

Globalhealthevents

UniversalHealthCoveragePartnership–Secondmeetingofthemulti-donorcoordinationcommitteeforUHC(11Sept)

http://uhcpartnership.net/second-meeting-of-the-multi-donor-coordination-committee-for-uhc/

Thefirstmeetingofthemulti-donorcoordinationcommitteeforUHCsuccessfullytookplaceon9May2018.Totakeastepforward,WHOandpartnersheldtthesecondmeetingon11September)inGeneva,Switzerland.ThismeetingallowedtheUHCPartnership,fundedbytheEuropeanUnion(EU),GrandDuchyofLuxembourgandIrishAid,toharmonizewithotherfundingmechanismssuchastheEU’sACPHealthSystemStrengthening(HSS)grantandtheJapanesefundingforUHC.

WHO–InternationalPlatformonHealthWorkerMobility:Evidence,SolutionsandInstruments(Geneve,13-14September2018)

http://www.who.int/hrh/events/2018/int-platf-hwm/en/

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“TheInternationalPlatformonHealthWorkerMobilityconvenedonthe13thand14thofSeptember2018inGeneva,Switzerland,withrepresentativesfromNationalGovernments,InternationalAgenciesandCivilSociety.“Checkoutthemeetingobjectives.

Andsomemeetings&eventswealreadywanttoflagfortheweeks&monthsahead:

Comingup–UNGA73(73rdsessionoftheUNGeneralAssembly)inNewYork(Sept18-Oct5)

https://www.devex.com/news/unga-2018-event-guide-93409

CheckoutDevex’seventguide.

Comingup-Firsteverinternationalconferenceonmedicinequality(23-28September,Oxford)

https://www.tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk/medicinequality2018/

“Howdoweensureaffordableandquality-assuredmedicineforall?JointhediscussionatOxfordUniversityfrom23-28September.“

Comingup:WHO2018symposiumonhealthfinancingforUHC(9October,Liverpool)

http://www.who.int/health_financing/events/symposium-2018/en/

“Whatdoesmakingprogressinhealthfinancing,insupportofUHCmean?Howdocountriesknowthey'reheadedintherightdirection?Whatpoliticalstrategiesfacilitateprogress?ToanswerthesequestionsWHO’sDepartmentofHealthSystemsGovernanceandFinancingishostingaone-daysymposiumonHealthFinancingforUHCaspartoftheGlobalSymposiumonHealthSystemsResearchinLiverpool.ItwilltakeplaceonTuesday,October9,2018from08:45–17:00inACCroom12.Thissessionwilladvancethethinkingandevidence-basearoundhowtoactuallydevelopandimplementhealthfinancingpoliciesthatfacilitateprogresstowardsUHC.Topacademics,policymakers,andpractitionerswillcometogethertodiscussanddebatenewlydevelopedframeworksthataddressbothtechnicalandpoliticalaspectsoftheimplementationofpoliciesthatfinancecoverageexpansion.ThesessionwillfocusonthefeasibleandusefulapplicationoftheseframeworksincountriestoadvanceprogresstowardsUHC….”SpeakersareamongothersJesseBump,AgnesSoucat,LucyGilson,JoeKutzin…

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UHC2030attheFifthGlobalSymposiumonHealthSystemsResearch,Liverpool,UK

https://www.uhc2030.org/news-events/uhc2030-events/article/uhc2030-at-the-fifth-global-symposium-on-health-systems-research-liverpool-uk-501371/

IfyouwanttoknowwhatUHC2030isuptoinLiverpool–intermsofsessionsetc.

Comingup-ThePoliticalOriginsofHealthInequitiesandUniversalHealthCoverage(Nov1-2,Oslo)

https://www.uio.no/english/research/interfaculty-research-areas/globalgov/globalgov-for-health/news-and-events/events/2018/the-political-origins-of-health-inequities-and-uni/index.html

“TheIndependentPanelonGlobalGovernanceforHealthorganizesitsfirstannualinternationalconferenceinOslo.”Fascinatingline-up.

Globalgovernanceofhealth

Mo*paper–VanSimpeleMillenniumdoelennaarwarrigeDuurzameOntwikkelingsdoelen

JanVandemoortele;https://www.mo.be/sites/default/files/article/attachment/MOpaper117_MDGs_SDGs.pdf

It’snotoftenwerecommendapaperinDutch,butinthiscasewemakeanexception.Fortheonesamongyouwhodon’tread/speakDutch,werecommendGoogleTranslate!JanVandemoortele’stakeontheSDGs.

DuncanGreen(blog)-Sothreeyearsin,whatdoweknowabouttheimpactoftheSDGs?

https://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/so-three-years-in-what-do-we-know-about-the-impact-of-the-sdgs/

DuncanGreen(Oxfam)hassomemajorreservationsatthestartoftheSDGs.Threeyearslaterheconcludes,atleastfornow,ontheirimpactsofar:

“…MaybeIwastooharsh–theSDGsareshowingsignsofhavingadripdripinfluencethatisdispersedandhardtopindown.Lotsofspinandlipservice,butsomeimpact,albeitsofter,more

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pervasiveandhardertomeasurethan‘haveyouhalvedX?’TheSDGsseemtofitadiverse,multipolarworldwheredevelopmentprioritiesarequiterightlydecidedatalocallevel,notimposedfromoutside,andbeingbeingsubsumedintonationalpoliticsindifferentwaysindifferentplaces.Butthatstilldoesn’tanswerthequestionofwhyweshoulddevotesomuchtimeandattentiontotheSDGs,whenotherinternationalinstrumentsaremorebinding(ILOandUNConventions).IhavestillhaveseennothingthatcomparestheSDGsagainstalltheseotheragreementsintermsoftheirimpactondecisionmakers….”

DevelopmentPolicyReview-CriticaldiscourseanalysisofperspectivesonknowledgeandtheknowledgesocietywithintheSustainableDevelopmentGoals

SarahCummingsetal;https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dpr.12296

“Criticaldiscourseanalysis(CDA)isemployedtoanalyzediscoursesofknowledgeandtheknowledgesocietyintheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).Discourseanalysisisacollectivenameforanumberofscientificmethodologiesforanalyzingsemiosis,namelyhowmeaningiscreatedandcommunicatedthoughwritten,vocalorsignlanguage.Employingagenealogicalapproachwhichlocatesdiscoursesinthefieldofpriordiscourses,twopriordiscoursesoftheknowledgesocietyareidentifiedinthekeydocumentoftheSDGs.Theconceptsknowledgeandknowledgesocietyarefoundtohaveamarginalpositionwithinthemainpolicydocument“Transformingourworld,”adoptedbytheUnitedNationsinSeptember2015.Thetechno-scientific-economicdiscourseisfoundtobedominantatthelevelofimplementationandofgoals,whilethereissomeevidenceofthepluralist-participatorydiscourseatthelevelofvisionandstrategy.Analysisofsomeofthepolicyadviceprovidedbyinternationalorganizationsandcivilsocietyindicatesthatmorepluralist-participatorydiscoursesonknowledgewererepresentedwhentheSDGswerebeingformulated.Developedcountriesandthecorporatesectorwereveryinfluentialindeterminingthefinaltextandwereprobablyinstrumentalinexcludingmoretransformationaldiscoursesandmaintainingthestatusquo.”

MeToo&aid/globalhealth

Devex-Q&A:ILOexpertonnewworkplaceharassmentandviolencetreaty

https://www.devex.com/news/q-a-ilo-expert-on-new-workplace-harassment-and-violence-treaty-93370

“AstheUnitedNationsisconsideringadditionalmeasurestobeefupitsownsexualharassmentpolicies,oneagency—theInternationalLabourOrganization—islookingattryingtocreateaglobalsetofstandardsaroundharassmentandviolenceforworkers.ILOisconsideringalegallybindingtreatythatcouldprotectallworkersfromviolenceandharassmentintheworkplace,ifindividualcountriesadoptedandratifiedthemeasure.Theideahasbeenconsideredforthepastdecade,butconversationsaroundapotentialtreatyhavebeenongoingforthepastfouryears,precedingthe#MeToo,andaidanddevelopmentindustry-specific#AidToo,movements…”

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RHM(Editorial)–TheAIDSconference2018:acriticalmoment

SofiaGruskinetal;https://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09688080.2018.1510602?platform=hootsuite

Mainlyforthisparagraph:

«…Lookingforward,therearetwooverridingconsiderationsinanyreflectionforthefuture.First,concernsthequestionofMichelSidibe,thedirectorofUNAIDS,andtheprospectofUNAIDSmoregenerally.CorridordiscussionswerefilledwithwhatseemedtobefairlyunanimousagreementthatSidibe’stimehadcomeandthathemustresign,notsimplybecausehefailedtoadequatelyaddressthecasesofsexualharassmentbroughttohiminvolvingUNAIDSstaffmembers,butbecauseofhisapparentinabilitytotrulyhearandunderstandtheglobalcallforhimtoresignasnecessary,notsimplybecauseofhisactions(orlackthereof),butforthegoodofUNAIDSandtheAIDSresponsemoregenerally.……Thesecond,ironically,concernsthelocationofthenextinternationalAIDSconferencetwoyearsfromnow.”

InotherMeToorelatednews,TedrosflaggedWHO’sIntegrityHotlineonTwitter:“TheIntegrityhotlineprovidesasafeandindependentmechanismtoreportanyconcernsaboutissuesinvolvingWHO.ItismanagedbyaprofessionalcompanyselectedcompetitivelybyWHO….”

WHO-GovernmentofSwedenhostsPMNCHBoardretreatinStockholm

http://www.who.int/pmnch/media/news/2018/board-retreat-stockholm/en/

ShortreportofthePMNCHBoardretreatinSweden,endofAugust.ThefirstonechairedbyMBachelet.“…Theobjectiveoftheboardretreatwastofocusonthehigh-levelstrategicimplementationofPMNCH2018-2020BusinessPlan.ThenewBusinessPlanwillmoveawayfromtheStrategicObjectives(SOs)andtowardscenteringitsworkonthesixEveryWomanEveryChild(EWEC)Partners’Frameworkfocusareasandshareddeliverables….”

Surgery-WorldHealthOrganization:Leadingsurgicalcaretowardsustainabledevelopmentintheeraofglobalization

DLungman,RMartenetal;https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(18)30479-3/fulltext

“Intoday'sshrinkingworld,theroleoftheWorldHealthOrganizationastheleaderofglobalhealthisofincreasingimportance.Thisreviewaddresseshowtheorganizationisevolvingtomeetnewdemands,withafocusonitsrelevanceforsurgeryworldwide.”

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IISD-ReportonFinancingtheUNDevelopmentSystemLaunched

IISD;

“In2016,theUNhadUS$49.3billioninrevenue,upapproximatelyUS$1billionfrom2015.ThereportindicatesthatrevenueoftheUNsystemissplit54%earmarked,28%assessedcontributions,10%voluntarycorecontributions,and8%fees,andthatthehighpercentageofear-markedfundsreducesflexibility.Thesecondpartofthereportconsistsofessaysthatprovideanoverviewofthecurrentstateandcomingtrendsinfinanceforsustainabledevelopment.”

Forthereport,“FinancingtheUNDevelopmentSystem:OpeningDoors”,seehere.

Atweet,perhaps:“.@DebapriyaBh@cpdbdon#SDGfinancinginLMIC-"aseriousmismatchbetweenglobaldiscourse...andrealitiesontheground,[andalackof]politicalenergy”

GlobeandMail–TrudeautopitchCanada’sworkondevelopmentfundinginbidforUNSecurityCouncilseat

GlobeandMail;

“PrimeMinisterJustinTrudeauwillpitchhisgovernment’seffortstounlockprivate-sectormoneyneededtohelpmeetasetofambitiousUnitedNationssustainable-developmentgoalsasakeypartofCanada’sbidforaUNSecurityCouncilseatinNewYorklaterthismonth.InaninterviewwithTheGlobeandMail,Canada’sambassadortotheUN,Marc-AndréBlanchard,saidthePrimeMinisterwilldeliverthekeynotespeechatahigh-leveleventhostedbySecretary-GeneralAntónioGuterresonSept.24,onedaybeforeworldleadersconveneinNewYorkfortheUNGeneralAssembly.Mr.BlanchardsaidMr.TrudeauwillusehisaddresstohighlighttheLiberalgovernment’scommitmenttohelpfinancetheUN’s17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)focusedonendingpoverty,fightinginequalityandtacklingclimatechangeby2030–acornerstoneofCanada’scampaignforaSecurityCouncilseat….”

NYT-IsCashBetterforPoorPeopleThanConventionalForeignAid?

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/opinion/is-cash-better-for-poor-people-than-conventional-foreign-aid.html

“U.S.A.I.D.,theAmericanforeignaidagency,isconductingatrialthatmeasurestheimpactwhenpoorpeopleabroadaresimplygivenmoneywithwhichtodecidewhat’sbestforthemselves.”

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#LancetWomen

https://www.thelancet.com/lancet-women

Withallthepapers&commentsfromthelastmonths.

Reuters-Ascountrieslookinward,developmentcashfallsshort-UNdeputychief

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-development-climatechange/as-countries-look-inward-development-cash-falls-short-un-deputy-chief-idUSKCN1LM2AJ

“Fundingforinternationaleffortstobuildresiliencetoclimatechangeandmeetotherdevelopmentgoalsisfaltering,warnsUnitedNationsDeputySecretary-GeneralAminaJ.Mohammed.“Itisatoughworldrightnowoutthere.Everyoneisbacksliding,”shesaidinaninterview.Insteadofthinkingaboutcommonaction,moreworldleadersaretakingtheapproachof“let’ssortthingsoutwithinourownborders”,sheadded….”

Devex–Opinion:CommunicationisessentialtoachievingWHO’snewstrategy

https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-communication-is-essential-to-achieving-who-s-new-strategy-93356

Noneedtoreadthis.Onlyifyou’re,likeme,ratherbaffledattheuseoftheterm‘healthconsumers’throughoutthepiece.

Excerpt:

“…Wecannotcontinuetosolelyprovidehealtheducationandawarenessandexpecttoovercomedeep-seatedculturalbeliefs.Effectivepublichealthcommunicationsmustbebasedonastrategythatisinformedbywell-formulatedqualitativeandquantitativemarketresearch.Thestrategymustsystematicallytakeintoaccountinsightsintothehealthconsumer;environmental,cultural,andsocietalfactorsthatinfluencethatconsumerdecision-making;themosteffectivechannelsofcommunications;othercompetitorproductsandservices;anunderstandingofwherethehealthinterventionsitswithinitsproductcategory;andperceptionsamongconsumersabouttheorganizationprovidingtheintervention….”

Finally,atweetfromGavinYamey

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“Petpeeve.Intheglobalhealthcommunity,weusetheabbreviationLMICsforlow-andmiddle-incomecountries.Butinthewiderdevelopmentandglobaleconomicscommunity,LMICsarelowermiddle-incomecountries.Ourmeaningsaregettingcrossed&confused.”

UHC

HQSSCommission–countryprofiles

https://www.hqsscommission.org/countryprofiles/

Checkthemout.

BMJ(Analysis)-Healthsystemsshouldbepubliclyfundedandpubliclyprovided

NeenaModi,MartinMcKeeetal;https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3580

“Amarketinhealthcareincreasesthelikelihoodofinequityandexploitation,withsuboptimalcareforbothrichandpoor,sayNeenaModiandcolleagues.”FocusontheNHSinthisarticle.

AllianceHPSR–EmbeddedimplementationresearchgrantstoachievetheSDGsannouncedintheAmericas

http://www.who.int/alliance-hpsr/news/2018/er-sdg-award-announcement/en/

“TheAllianceforHealthPolicyandSystemsResearch(AllianceHPSR)togetherwiththePanAmericanHealthOrganization(PAHO),andTDR,theSpecialProgrammeforResearchandTraininginTropicalDiseases,havejointlyawarded13grantstodecision-makersandresearchersin11countriestoexaminehowtoimprovehealthdecision-makingintheAmericas….”

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Planetaryhealth

Devex-Bangkokclimatetalkleaves'heavylifting'toPolandCOP24

https://www.devex.com/news/bangkok-climate-talk-leaves-heavy-lifting-to-poland-cop24-93401

“TheBangkokclimatetalkculminatedina300-pagedraft,atomethathighlightshowmuchislefttodobeforetherulebookfortheParisAgreementonclimatechangecanbeadoptedinthePolishcityofKatowicelaterthisyear.Negotiatorsfrom178countriesgatheredintheThaicapitalforalastchanceaheadof24thConferenceofthePartiestotheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChangetountanglethesuiteofguidelinesthatwillsteertheParisAgreementtowardeffectiveimplementation.Withweeklongnegotiationsoftenprogressingwellintothenight,severalaspectsoftherulebookdidseeanimprovementinclarity,tirednegotiatorsandstakeholderstoldDevexonSunday.Butotheraspects,suchasthevitalissueofclimatefinanceanddetailsofnationallydeterminedcontributions,orNDCs,remainmurky.Developedcountries—ledbytheUnitedStates—tookanaggressivestanceonfinance,avoidingconversationsabouthowtheywouldcommunicatefuturepayoutstocountrieshithardbyrisingtemperatures.RichnationsskirtedtalksofthereplenishmentoftheGreenClimateFundandaprocesstoestablishanewlong-termfinancegoalinamovethatActionAid'sGlobalLeadonClimateChangeHarjeetSinghsaidthreatenstheaccordentirely.“TheParisAgreementisonthebrink,”SinghsaidonSunday.“Developedcountriesaregoingbackontheirwordandrefusingtoagreeclearrulesgoverningclimatefinance.Iftheyremainstuckintheirpositionsandfailtoloosentheirpurses,thistreatymaycollapse….”

SeealsotheGuardian-'Limited'progressatBangkokclimatetalksorUNNews-UnevenprogressonclimateactionatBangkokconference.

IISD-SDGKnowledgeWeekly:ClimateActionbyStateandNon-StateActors

IISD;

“AspreviewedbytheSDGKnowledgeHub’sMonthlyForecastforSeptember,climatechangefeaturesprominentlyontheglobalcommunity’sagendaforthemonth.Thisweek’s'KnowledgeWeekly'reviewseventsandpapersfromState-andnon-stateactors,highlightingthoselaunchedaroundthisweek'sGlobalClimateActionSummitandthejust-concludedBangkokClimateChangeConference.“

“…TheGlobalClimateActionSummit(GCAS)isbeingconvenedbyCaliforniaGovernorJerryBrownfrom12-14September,inSanFrancisco,California,US,onthetheme,‘TakeAmbitiontotheNextLevel.’TheSummitwillserveasaplatformfornon-stateactorssuchaslocalgovernments,businessesandcivilsocietytoshowcaseactiontowardsthegoalsoftheParisAgreementonclimatechange.Itfurtherseekstoinspirenationalgovernmentstoincreasetheambitionoftheir

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NationallyDeterminedContributions(NDCs)aheadoftheUNClimateChangeConferenceinKatowice,Poland,thisDecember….”

AheadoftheSanFranciscosummit,theGuardianreported-JerryBrown:Trump's'grossignorance'mainobstacleinclimatechangefight“Californiagovernoristakingtheleadinconfrontingplanet’s‘existentialchallenge’andsignsbillforcarbon-freepowerby2045.”

ForanupdateonthisSanFranciscoSummit,seetheGuardian-USactivistslaunchclimatechangeinitiativesinabsenceoffederalleadership

“…America’sgovernors,mayorsandCEOsareforgingaheadwithclimatechangeinitiativesdespitetheTrumpadministration’swithdrawalfromtheParisAgreementandcommitmenttorevivingthecoalindustry.Butareportpublished[today]setsoutaroadmapthatcouldquickenthatpaceandcutcarbonemissionsto24%below2005levelsby2025intheabsenceoffederalleadership.”

Focusisthusonsubnational&privatesectoractioninSanFrancisco.

ProjectSyndicate-TheMassesAreMobilizingforClimateLeadership

ChristianaFigueres&MayBoeve;https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/mobilizing-public-for-climate-leadership-by-christiana-figueres-and-may-boeve-2018-09

“Afterayearofunprecedentedwildfires,droughts,floods,andothernaturaldisastersaroundtheworld,itisclearthattheclimatecrisisisalreadyuponus.Withoutmoreeffectivepoliticalleadershiptoreducegreenhouse-gasemissionsimmediately,theapocalypticconditionsofawarmingplanetwillbecomethenewnormal….”

Onthepositiveside,“…RiseforClimate,aglobalmobilizationof250,000peopletakingpartinover900eventsin95countriestookplaceonSeptember8.Ithassetthetoneforaseriesofupcomingpoliticaleventstoaddressclimatechange,includingthismonth’sGlobalClimateActionSummit,theOnePlanetSummit,andtheUNClimateChangeConferenceinPoland(COP24)thisDecember….”

ProjectSyndicate-TheTrialoftheCentury

PeterSinger;https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/climate-change-trial-of-the-century-juliana-v-united-states-by-peter-singer-2018-09

“Will21youngplaintiffsultimatelybeabletopersuadeaconservative-dominatedUSSupremeCourtthatthefederalgovernmentisviolatingtheirconstitutionalrighttoalivableplanet?ItdependsonwhethertheCourtiswillingtoheedthescientificevidence.”

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Nature-Fivestepstoimproveair-qualityforecasts

RKumaretal;https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06150-5?utm_source=twt_nnc&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=naturenews&sf196938041=1

“Aworldwidemonitoringandmodellingnetworkwouldreducethedramatictollofairpollutiononhealthandfoodproduction,urgeRajeshKumarandcolleagues.”

“…WecallontheWMO,theWHO,theUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)andtheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUN(FAO)toleadthedevelopmentofaninternationalprogrammeforair-qualitymonitoringandprediction.FinancialinstitutionssuchastheWorldBankandnon-governmentalorganizationsshouldsupportair-qualityinitiatives….”

Meanwhile,ontheacceleratingclimatechangefront:

Atweet-“Manyscientistsarestunnedbythesimultaneousemergenceofmajorstorm/hurricanesystemsintheAtlantic&Pacific--possiblyunprecedentedinrecordedhistory.Thismapshowsastunningconformityinlatituderange,fromWestAfricatothewesternPacificIsl.”

Vox-Whyhurricanesareexpectedtodumpmoreraininawarmingworld

Infectiousdiseases&NTDs

Guardian-PoliooutbreakinPapuaNewGuineareachescapitalPortMoresby

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/11/polio-outbreak-in-papua-new-guinea-reaches-capital-port-moresby

CfratweetbyLaurieGarrett:

“Keypoint:thisis#vaccine-derived#polio,not"wild"virus.Inmostcasesthesecasesarelimited,usuallyspawnedbyfailuresinkeepingvaxcoldbeforeuse.Scaryptofthisisapparentspread,nowurban.”

AlJazeerareportedPapuaNewGuineatolaunchnationwidepoliovaccinationcampaign

“PapuaNewGuinea(PNG)isgearingupforanationwidevaccinationcampaigntoprotectcitizensagainstpolio18yearsafterthediseasewaseradicatedfromthecountry.Theinitiative,whichisorganisedbythePNGgovernmentandtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),isaimedatstoppingthespreadofthediseaseafter10caseswereconfirmedinthecountry.Lastweek,thePNGMinistry

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ofHealthconfirmedthetenthcaseinPortMoresby,thecapitaloftheimpoverishedsouthwestPacificcountry….”

Science–SteepdropinZikacasesunderminesvaccinetrial

JonCohen;http://science.sciencemag.org/content/361/6407/1055

“Controversialstrategyofintentionallyinfectingvolunteerstotestvaccinecandidatesisnowbackontheagenda.”

Aidsmap–Startingfromhere–whatPrEPprogrammescanlearnfromcircumcision

http://www.aidsmap.com/Starting-from-here-what-PrEP-programmes-can-learn-from-circumcision/page/3333820/

“Funders,healthprovidersandadvocatesshouldtakelessonsfromtherolloutofvoluntarymedicalmalecircumcision(VMMC)asanHIVpreventionmeasureinAfricaiftheywishtohastenaccesstoprogrammesprovidingpre-exposureprophylaxis(PrEP),researchersargueintheInternationalJournalofSTDandAIDS.”

UNAIDS-NewmodeldruglawlaunchedinwesternAfrica

http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2018/september/new-model-drug-law-launched-in-western-africa

“UnjustlawscanpreventpeoplefromaccessingtheservicestheyneedtopreventortreatHIV,andpeoplewhousedrugsneedhelpandcare,notpunishment—thesearetwoofthemessagesfromthenewModelDrugLawforWestAfrica.Launchedon11SeptemberinDakar,Senegal,themodeldruglawaimstoguidepolicy-makersintheregiononhowtobetterframetheirdruglaws.”

Aidscaresupplement–HouseholdEconomicStrengtheningforHIVOutcomes.

https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/caic20/30/sup3?nav=tocList

ThissupplementwasfundedbytheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopmentandthePresident’sEmergencyFundforAIDSReliefanddevelopedbytheASPIRESprojectatFHI360.

Forsomemoreinfoonthebackgroundofthissupplement,seealsoThestateoftheevidenceforhouseholdeconomicstrengtheningapproachesforHIVoutcomes.

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“…UndertheauspicesoftheAcceleratingStrategiesforPracticalInnovationandResearchinEconomicStrengthening(ASPIRES)project–fundedbyUSAID/PEPFARandimplementedbyFHI360–ourteamatFHI360developedanopenaccesssupplementalissueofAIDSCaretoprovideusefulinformationtoresearchersandpractitionersaboutwhatworksandwhatwestillneedtolearnaboutHouseholdEconomicStrengthening(HES)inthecontextoftheHIVepidemic…”

BMJGlobalHealth(Editorial)-ThesexgapinneonatalmortalityandtheAIDSepidemicinsub-SaharanAfrica

SYayaetal;https://gh.bmj.com/content/3/5/e000940

“Inthiseditorial,weanalysetrendsinthesexgapinneonataldeath—deathoccurringwithin1monthofbirth-duringtheeraoftheAIDSepidemic,andarguethattheyweresensitivetotheavailabilityofantiretroviralmedicines.ChildexposuretoHIV(duringpregnancy,deliveryandbreastfeeding)reducedthefemalesurvivaladvantage,butthissituationwasgraduallyreversedbytheavailabilityofantiretroviraltreatment.“

Scidev.net–Arabcountriescaughtinacycleofwaranddisease

Scidev.net;

“ConflicthasleftthedoorwideopenforepidemicsintheMiddleEast,lettingleishmaniasisintoSyria,poliobackintoIraqafter14years,and—aftertwoviolentwaves—choleratospreadacrossYemenonceagain….”“Sometimes,morepeoplediefromdiseasesassociatedwithwar,ortheaftermathofwar,thanfromtheconflictitself.Theeffectofepidemicslingersacrosstimeaswellasborders…”

UNNews-BackedbyUNagency,countriessettotakeondeadlylivestock-killingdisease

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1018751

“GatheredatamajorUnitedNationsagriculturalconference,over45countriestodaypledgedtoeradicateby2030ahighlycontagiousanddevastatingdiseaseresponsibleforthedeathofmillionsofsmallfarmanimals,atcostofmorethan$2billioneachyear.”

Relatedtothe«Pestedespetitsruminants(PPR)disease».

Andaquicklink:

Guardian-Zimbabwedeclaresstateofemergencyaftercholeraoutbreakclaims20lives

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AMR

ScientificAmerican-GettingtheUpperHandonSuperbugs

ScientificAmerican;

“Weneedanentirelynewclassofantibiotic,whichscientistshavebeenunabletocreateformorethan50years.Untilnow,thatis.”Well,atleastaccordingtothisarticle:)

“…InastudyjustpublishedinNature,ourgroupdescribesanewclassofantibioticwedevelopedthatmayprovidefreshhopeagainstthedeadliestsuperbugs….”

FutureHealthSystems(blog)–TacklingAMRinpluralistichealthsystems

GBloometal;http://www.futurehealthsystems.org/blog/2018/9/7/tackling-antimicrobial-resistance-amr-in-pluralistic-health-systems

ByGerryBloometal.“Thereisgrowingscientificevidencethatinfectionsthatareresistanttoantibioticsareaseriousglobalhealthchallenge.ThishasstimulatedwideagreementonaGlobalActionPlanforAddressingAMRandmanycountrieshaveproducedNationalActionPlans.Itisimportantthattheseactionplanstakeintoaccountthelocalcontext.Thisisespeciallyimportantincountrieswithapluralistichealthsysteminwhichpeopleseekhealthcarefromawidevarietyofpublicandprivateprovidersofdrugsandmedicalcare.OnelessonfromtheworkoftheFutureHealthSystemsConsortiumistheneedtotakeasystemsapproachfortacklinghealthchallengesinthesecountries.Thisbloghighlightssomepriorityissuesthatthiskindofapproachneedstotakeintoaccount….”

Eurekalert-ScientistsdevelopnewdrugtreatmentforTB

UniversityofManchester;

“ScientistsatTheUniversityofManchesterhavedevelopedthefirstnon-antibioticdrugtosuccessfullytreattuberculosisinanimals.Theteamhopethecompound-developedafter10yearsofpainstakingresearchwillbetrialledonhumanswithinthreetofouryears.Thedrug-whichworksbytargetingMycobacteriumtuberculosis'defencesratherthanthebacteriaitself-canalsotakeoutitsincreasinglycommonlyantibioticresistantstrains….”

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NCDs

GlobalPublicHealth-Timetotacklerheumaticheartdisease:Dataneededtodriveglobalpolicydialogues

MAbouzeletal;https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17441692.2018.1515970

“Rheumaticheartdisease(RHD)isanavoidablediseaseofpovertythatpersistspredominantlyinlowresourcesettingsandamongIndigenousandotherhigh-riskpopulationsinsomehigh-incomenations.FollowingaperiodofrelativeglobalpolicyinertiaonRHD,recentyearshaveseenaresurgenceofresearch,policyandcivilsocietyactivitytotackleRHD;thishasculminatedingrowingmomentumatthehighestlevelsofglobalhealthdiplomacytodefinitivelyaddressthisdiseaseofdisadvantage.RHDisinextricablyentangledwiththeglobaldevelopmentagenda,andeffectiveRHDactionrequiresconcertedeffortsbothwithinandbeyondthehealthpolicysphere.ThisreportprovidesanupdateonthecontemporaryglobalandregionalpolicylandscapesrelevanttoRHD,andhighlightsthefundamentalimportanceofgooddatatoinformthesepolicydialogues,monitorsystemsresponsesandensurethatnooneisleftbehind.”

LondonSchool-Johnson&Johnsonpartnershiptoboostmentalhealthcareinsub-SaharanAfrica

LSHTM;

NewsfromearlyAugust,butgoodtorecall.«TheLondonSchoolofHygiene&TropicalMedicine(LSHTM)hasteamedupwithJohnson&Johnsontodevelopanewgenerationofmentalhealthcareprofessionals,particularlyinsub-SaharanAfrica.»

FDAtakesnewstepstoaddressepidemicofyouthe-cigaretteuse,includingahistoricactionagainstmorethan1,300retailersand5majormanufacturersfortheirrolesperpetuatingyouthaccess

FDA;

TheFDAgoesaftere-cigarettemanufacturers&retailers,withaviewonkeepingthedevicesawayfromminors.

SeealsoBMJNews-Marketinge-cigarettestokidshascreatedan“epidemic”inUS,saysFDAchief.

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Sexual&Reproductive/maternal,neonatal&childhealth

Unicefreport–Aneverydaylesson:#ENDviolenceinSchools

https://www.unicef.org/eap/reports/everyday-lesson-endviolence-schools

“AnEverydayLesson:#ENDviolenceinSchoolssaysthatpeerviolence–measuredasthenumberofchildrenwhoreporthavingbeenbulliedinthelastmonthorhavingbeeninvolvedinaphysicalfightinthelastyear–isapervasivepartofyoungpeople’seducationaroundtheworld.Itimpactsstudentlearningandwell-beinginrichandpoorcountriesalike.TheReportisreleasedaspartoftheUNICEF#ENDviolenceglobalcampaign…”

Forthepressrelease,seeHalfofworld’steensexperiencepeerviolenceinandaroundschool–UNICEF

“Physicalfightsandbullyingdisrupttheeducationof150million13-15-year-oldsworldwide.”

WB(blog)-MaternalDepressionandStuntedChildren:AnAvoidableReality

http://blogs.worldbank.org/health/maternal-depression-and-stunted-children-avoidable-reality

ByPatricioMarquezetal.«…acriticalbutoftenoverlookedfactinpolicydesignandprogramdevelopmentacrosstheworldistheassociationbetweenmaternaldepressionandchildhoodstunting--theimpairedgrowthanddevelopmentmeasuredbylowheight-for-age.”

BMCInternationalHealthandHumanRights-GlobalAbortionPoliciesDatabase:anewapproachtostrengtheningknowledgeonlaws,policies,andhumanrightsstandards

BRJohnsonetal;https://bmcinthealthhumrights.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12914-018-0174-2

“TheGlobalAbortionPoliciesDatabase(GAPD),launchedinJune2017,providesaverifiable,comprehensive,nuancedapproachtoinformationanddatasourcesonabortionlawandpolicy.Abortionlaws,policies,andguidelinesfromUnitedNations(UN)andWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)MemberStatesarejuxtaposedtoinformationandrecommendationsfromWHOsafeabortionguidance,nationalsexualandreproductivehealthindicators,andrelevantUNhumanrightsbodies’concludingobservationstocountries….”

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GlobalHealthScienceandPractice–AssessmentofFamilyPlanningServiceAvailabilityandReadinessin10AfricanCountries

MAlietal;http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/early/2018/09/12/GHSP-D-18-00041

«Inthe10countriessurveyed,theavailabilityoforalcontraceptives,injectables,andcondomsvariedgreatly,andtheavailabilityofbasicitemsindicatingservicereadiness,suchasguidelines,trainedstaff,equipment,andcertaincommodities,waslow.”Thecountriessurveyed:Benin,BurkinaFaso,theDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,Djibouti,Mauritania,Niger,SierraLeone,Tanzania,Togo,andUganda.

Finally,youprobablyheardaboutthatdumbheadinTanzania:

Tanzania'sJohnMagufuliadvisesagainstbirthcontrol(AlJazeera)

“PresidentJohnMagufulihasadvisedTanzaniancouplestostopusingcontraceptivemethods,sayingthatthecountryneedsmorepeople,accordingtolocalmediareports."Thosegoingforfamilyplanningarelazy...theyareafraidtheywillnotbeabletofeedtheirchildren….”Obviously,afiercebacklashfollowedhiscomments.

Accesstomedicines

HealthPolicyWatch-AfricanAcademyOfSciencesInitiativeAimsToBoostDrugDiscoveryForDiseasesInAfrica

https://www.healthpolicy-watch.org/african-academy-of-sciences-initiative-aims-to-boost-drug-discovery-for-diseases-in-africa/

“…Overadecadeago,Africangovernmentspledgedtoboostoverallresearchfundinginthe2006KhartoumDecisionoftheExecutiveCounciloftheAfricanUnion(AU)byallocatingatleastonepercenttheirgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)tostirresearchanddevelopment,butyearslaterithasremainedachosenbutless-troddenroute.ThescenariohaspromptedtheAfricanAcademyofSciences(AAS)toofferaremedy,targetingthehealthsector.TheacademyandpartnershaveinvestedinfundingtodevelopthecapacityofAfricanscientiststoengageindrugdiscovery.AASisapan-AfricanKenya-basedorganisationwithamandateofpursuingexcellencethroughrecognisingscholars,providingadvisory,shapingthecontinent’sstrategiesandpoliciesandimplementingscience,technologyandinnovationprogrammestotackledevelopmentalchallenges.ItsinitiativesareundertakenthroughtheAllianceforAcceleratingExcellenceinScienceinAfrica(AESA).Theacademy,incollaborationwithSouthAfrica’sUniversityofCapeTown(UCT)DrugDiscoveryand

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DevelopmentCentre(H3D),MedicinesforMalariaVenture(MMV),andtheBill&MelindaGatesFoundation,havecommittedfundingforthediscoveryofnewdrugsfordiseasesendemictoAfricaoverthenexttwoyears….”

IP-Watch-ExtendedMonopoliesOnBiologicDrugs–AWarningToDevelopingCountries

http://www.ip-watch.org/2018/09/10/extended-monopolies-biologic-drugs-warning-developing-countries/

“ItwasrecentlyannouncedthattheUSgovernmentwouldbeseekingtotableatleast10yearsofmarketexclusivityforbiologicdrugsintherenegotiatedNAFTA.Thereareseveralreasonsforthis.Biologicdrugshavebecomeanimportanteconomiccommodity:nineofthetoptenbestsellingpharmaceuticalsarebiologic,includingdrugsforcancerandrheumatoidarthritis.Itisestimatedthattheglobalmarketpotentialofbiologicswillreach$250billiongloballyby2020.NAFTAwasnotthestartoftheUnitedStates’biologicsIPambitions.ItwasintheTPP,with12Pacificcountriesofdiversedevelopmentallevels,thattheysoughttoestablishthenormof12yearsofexclusivityforbiologicdrugs….”

Reuters–Indiabans328combinationdrugsinsetbackforpharmacompanies

https://in.reuters.com/article/india-health-drugs/india-bans-328-combination-drugs-in-setback-for-pharma-companies-idINKCN1LT15F?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter

“TheIndiangovernmenthasbanned328combinationdrugsinablowtobothdomesticandforeignpharmaceuticalfirms,butthebanhasbeencheeredbyhealthactivistsworriedaboutgrowingantibioticresistanceduetothemisuseofmedicines….”

FTHealth-Pharmachiefdefends400%drugpricehikeasa‘moralrequirement’

https://www.ft.com/content/48b0ce2c-b544-11e8-bbc3-ccd7de085ffe

Bethewillgostraighttoheavenafterhedies.

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Vox-Hisfamilyhelpedcausetheopioidcrisis.Nowhemightprofitfromaddictiontreatment.

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/9/7/17831710/richard-sackler-opioid-epidemic-buprenorphine

StoryonanotherPharma“gentleman”.“RichardSackler,formerpresidentofPurduePharma,may“benefitfinanciallyfromtheaddictioncrisisthathisfamily’scompanyisaccusedoffueling.”

Andafewquicklinks:

HPW-EPOUpholdsGileadPatentOnHepCMedicines,CivilSocietySays

“Accordingtocivilsocietygroups–whoexpresseddismay–theEuropeanPatentOffice(EPO)todayruledinfavourofpharmaceuticalcompanyGileadandmaintainedthecompany’spatentonhepatitisCdrugsofosbuvir.Thepatent,however,ismaintainedinanamendedform.”

HPW-NewR&DModelsAndIncentivesNecessaryToStepUpFightAgainstAMR,EUParliamentDeclares.

Humanresourcesforhealth

HumanResourcesforHealth-Communityboundaryspannersasanadditiontothehealthworkforcetoreachmarginalisedpeople:ascopingreviewoftheliterature

CWallaceetal;https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12960-018-0310-z

“Healthservicesinhigh-incomecountriesincreasinglyrecognisethechallengeofeffectivelyservingandengagingwithmarginalisedpeople.Effectiveengagementwithmarginalisedpeopleisessentialtoreducehealthdisparitiesthesepopulationsface.Onesolutionisbytappingintothephenomenonofboundary-spanningpeopleinthecommunity—thosewhofacilitatetheflowofideas,information,activitiesandrelationshipsacrossorganisationandsocio-culturalboundaries….”

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Miscellaneous

Nature(News)–HealthdataoverlooksEurope’smostvulnerablecitizens

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06672-y?utm_source=twt_nnc&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=naturenews&sf197507033=1

“Europeisthebestintheworldatcollectinghealthdata,butitstrugglestoaccuratelycapturethehealthproblemsofpeopleinitslowestsocioeconomictiers,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO).TheEuropeanHealthReport,publishedbytheWHOon12September,foundthatresearchersmaketoolittleefforttoseekoutdatafrompeoplelivinginpoverty,whichcouldconfoundunderstandingofthecontinent’shealthburden….”

Callforpapers:specialHealthPolicy&PlanningsupplementonadvancinghealthsystemsforallintheSDGera

http://www.healthsystemsglobal.org/blog/309/Call-for-Papers-Special-Health-Policy-and-Planning-supplement-on-Advancing-Health-Systems-for-all-in-the-SDG-Era-.html

“ThiscallforpapersisjointlyorganisedbythejournalHealthPolicyandPlanning,andtheorganizeroftheFifthGlobalSymposiumonHealthSystemsResearch(HSR2018)–HealthSystemsGlobal.Thiscallisintendedforthosewhohavehadconferenceabstractsand/orpresentationsacceptedforHSR2018….”Deadline:20December2018.

WB(blog)-InvestinginPeopletoBuildHumanCapital

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2018/08/03/investing-in-people-to-build-human-capital?cid=ECR_TT_worldbank_EN_EXT

Meanwhile,theworldisgearingupfortheWB’sHumanCapitalProject,withanewHumanCapitalIndextobereleasedattheWB’sannualmeetingsinOctober:“…PresidentKimhasputthefullbackingoftheinstitutionbehindanewHumanCapitalProject.TheWorldBankGroupiscommittingtohelpcountriesprioritizehumancapitalinasustainedway,giventhedeepeningrecognitionthatjobsandskilledworkersarekeytonationalprogressincountriesatallincomelevels.……Therearethreemainobjectives:first,tobuilddemandformoreandbetterinvestmentsinpeople;second,tohelpcountriesstrengthentheirhumancapitalstrategiesandinvestmentsforrapidimprovementsinoutcomes;andthird,toimprovehowwemeasurehumancapital.……ThenewHumanCapitalIndex,tobereleasedattheWorldBank’sAnnualMeetingsinOctober,willsupportallthreeobjectivesandofferacrucialresourceforbothgovernmentsandcitizens.Itwillhelpmeasureproductivity-relatedhumancapitaloutcomessuchaschildsurvival,earlyhardwiringofchildrenforsuccess,studentlearning,andadulthealth…”

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ODI(blog)-Africa10yearsaftertheglobalfinancialcrisis:whatwe’velearned

DirkWillemteVelde;https://www.odi.org/comment/10680-africa-10-years-after-global-financial-crisis-what-we-ve-learned

“Thisweekmarksthe10thanniversaryoftheglobalfinancialcrisis,whenLehmanBrotherscollapsed,developedcountrystockmarketsfoldedandtradecreditfroze.Severalthoughtpieces(Wolf,Tett,andTheEconomist)havearguedthatremarkablylittlehasbeenlearnedglobally.Thereismuchlessanalysis,however,ontheimpactonpoorercountries–particularlyinAfrica.Herearesevenlessonswe’velearnedorconclusionswehavedrawnatODI,andwhatitmeansforeconomictransformationandjobcreation.”

Foramoredirepicture,seeEurodad-10yearson:Globaldebtatall-timehigh.Developingcountrieshithardbyfallout“”TenyearsafterthecollapseofUSinvestmentbankLehmanBrotherson15September2008,theworldisindeeperdebtthanitwasattheheightofthefinancialcrisis.Thefalloutfromthefinancialcrisisisnowalsohittingdevelopingcountrieshard.ReadmoreinBodoEllmers'analysis.”

Alongthesame(dire)lines,thisODIAnalysis-Recorddebtlevelssuggestwemaybesleepwalkingintothenextglobaleconomiccrisis(byJGriffiths).

Devex-USAIDrelaunchesDevelopmentInnovationVenturesprogram

https://www.devex.com/news/usaid-relaunches-development-innovation-ventures-program-93402

“TheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment’sDevelopmentInnovationVentures,aprogramthatprovidesgrantstotestandscaleinnovations,willonceagainacceptapplicationsafterbeingsuspendedformorethanayear….”

PlosMed(Perspective)ScienceWithoutPublicationPaywalls:cOAlitionSfortheRealisationofFullandImmediateOpenAccess

https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002663

Somemoredetailon“PlanS”oflastweek.“InthisPerspective,agroupofnationalfunders,joinedbytheEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanResearchCouncil,announceplanstomakeOpenAccesspublishingmandatoryforrecipientsoftheiragencies’researchfunding.”

ReadalsoGMonbiot’stakeintheGuardian-Scientificpublishingisarip-off.Wefundtheresearch–itshouldbefree.

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Nature(News)-Peerreviewersunmasked:largestglobalsurveyrevealstrends

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06602-y?utm_source=twt_nnc&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=naturenews&sf197149141=1

“Thelargest-everpeer-reviewstudyrevealsthatthereisgrowing“reviewerfatigue”,witheditorshavingtoinvitemoreresearcherstogeteachreviewdone.Asurveyofmorethan11,000researchersalsofoundthatscientistsindevelopedcountrieswritenearly2peerreviewspersubmittedarticleoftheirown—nearly3timestherateofresearchersinemergingnations.”

LancetGlobalHealth(Comment)-Thankyoutoourdiverse(butnotdiverseenough)reviewers

ZoëMullan;https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30414-5/fulltext

“…Aspartofthisyear'sannualthanksandpublicrecognitionofallthosewhohavereviewedforusoverthepast12months,weattemptedtoanalysethegenderofall624reviewersbetweenAugust2017andAugust2018.Wesuccessfullyidentifiedthegenderofallbutthree,andfoundthat225(36%)werewomenand396(64%)men.Soourgenderbalanceisbetterthansome,butisitgoodenough?Wedon'tthinkso….…Takingtheself-punishmentalittlefurther,wealsoanalysedreviewerdiversitybycountry(figure).Theresultsshowthat,although64countrieswererepresented,nearlyathirdofreviewerscamefromtheUSAalone,with15%fromtheUK.ThenexthighestrepresentationswereCanada,Australia,Switzerland,India,SouthAfrica,France,Brazil,andItaly…”

ProjectSyndicate-ChinaisLosingtheNewColdWar

MinxinPei;https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-cold-war-us-competition-by-minxin-pei-2018-09

“IncontrasttotheSovietUnion,China'sleadersrecognizethatstrongeconomicperformanceisessentialtopoliticallegitimacy.LiketheSovietUnion,however,theyarepayingthroughthenoseforafewfriends,gainingonlylimitedbenefitswhilebecomingincreasinglyentrenchedinanunsustainablearmsracewiththeUS.”

Analysistobetakenwithagrainofsalt.ButthefirsttimeIsawtheBeltandRoadInitiativebeingdescribedas‘imperialoverreach’:)

MethinksthatthesecronycapitalistsfromtheUSwillgodownbeforethecronycapitalistsfromChina.

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IDS-IsCRISPRthenextbigthingininternationaldevelopment?

PSchröder;http://www.ids.ac.uk/opinion/is-crispr-the-next-big-thing-in-international-development

“ThegeneeditingtechnologyCRISPR/cas9hasbeencreatingabuzzinthebiotechscienceworldoverthelastfewyears.Morerecently,ithasbecomeasignificantnewfieldinthecontextofthebioeconomyandcould,potentially,becomeagamechangerforinternationaldevelopment.Viewedbysomeasanewinnovationwithmassiveopportunities,othersaretakingamorecriticalpositiontowardsCRISPRandgeneediting.”

IISD(PolicyBrief)-September2018UpdateonUNReformProcesses

http://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/policy-briefs/september-2018-update-on-un-reform-processes/

“Numerousreformsareunderwayatonce,whichcanoverwhelmcalendarsandattractcriticismof“processproliferation”.Thispolicybriefprovidesasnapshotofrecentdevelopmentsintheparallelbutinter-relatedreformprocessesunderwaywithintheUNsystem….”

Nature(News)-SouthAfricapushessciencetoimprovedailylife

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06122-9

“Sweepingpolicychangesaimtorefocusresearcheffortsonpoverty,unemployment,droughtandothernationalproblems.”

BMJ-Defendingevidenceinformedpolicymakingfromideologicalattack

CBonell,MMcKeeetal;https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k3827

“Theworldfacesaneweraofgreaterhostilitytoexpertsandevidence,argueChrisBonellandcolleagues.Theantidote,theysay,istoremindthepublichowevidencebasedpolicymakingevolved—andofitsadvantagesandlimitations”.

Recommended.

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WorldDevelopmentReport2018–LearningtorealizeEducation’spromise

http://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2018#

“TheWorldDevelopmentReport2018(WDR2018)—LEARNINGtoRealizeEducation’sPromise—isthefirsteverdevotedentirelytoeducation.……Thebestwaytoequipchildrenandyouthforthefutureistoplacetheirlearningatthecenter.The2018WDRexploresfourmainthemes:1)education’spromise;2)theneedtoshinealightonlearning;3)howtomakeschoolsworkforlearners;and4)howtomakesystemsworkforlearning.”

OpenDemocracy-Whypositivethinkingwon’tgetyououtofpoverty

FSialetal;https://www.opendemocracy.net/transformation/farwa-sial-and-carolina-alves/why-positive-thinking-won-t-get-you-out-of-poverty

“Tosaythatpoorpeopledon’thaveenoughhope,tenacityandaspirationistodenytheiragencyaswellasthesizeofthestructuraloddstheyface.InarecentarticleintheNewYorkTimes,thedevelopmenteconomistSeemaJayachandrandiscussesthreestudiesthatusedRandomisedControlledTrials(orRCTs)tounderstandthebenefitsofenhancingtheself-worthofpoorpeople.Despitewidedifferencesincontext,allthecasesexploretheviabilityof‘modestinterventions’to‘instillhope’inmarginalisedcommunities,concludingthat‘remarkableimprovements’inthequestforpovertyreductionarepossible….”

CGD(blog)–MoreResultsfortheMoney:CashBenchmarkingatUSAID

SarahRose&AmandaGlassman;https://www.cgdev.org/blog/more-results-money-cash-benchmarking-usaid

“Today,USAIDtookabigstepforwardonaneweffortthatcouldmakearealdifferencetotheagency’simpactandcost-effectiveness.”

AmericanAnthropologist–TeachingandCritiquingGlobalHealth:Or,“IThinkI’llGointoConsulting”

RMcKay;http://www.americananthropologist.org/teaching-and-critiquing-global-health-or-i-think-ill-go-into-consulting/

“Inmycontributiontothisseries,Iwanttoreflectontheambivalentpositionofbothteachingandcritiquingglobalhealth.Asanethnographer,myworkhasaskedhowanthropologicaltoolsnotonly

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reflectbutalsoconstruct“globalhealth”conceptsandpractices.ThroughfieldworkIhaveconductedinMaputo,Mozambique,since2006,Ihaveaskedwhatitmeanstoconstructhealthprojectsasexplicitly“global”andaboutthemodesofmedicine,caregiving,andhealththatsuchdefinitionsexclude.Thesequestionsalsoanimatemyteaching.Likemanyanthropologistsofmedicine,Ioftenteachcoursesonthemesrelatedtoglobalhealth,humanitarianism,anddevelopmenttoundergraduatesinanthropologyandrelatedfields.Yetglobalhealthisahighlycontingentandpolysemicconcept.Itdescribesashiftingsetofpracticesandinstantiatesadiversearrayofsubjectpositionsandinequalitiesforhealthactorsandethnographersalike.Asaresult,theworkofteaching,writingabout,andevencritiquingglobalhealthcanbehardtodistinguishfromtheworkofconstitutingit….”

CfratweetbyFelixStein:“Onteaching#globalhealth,a"boundaryobject"betweenintervention,andcritique.”

Vox-Whyyourdeskjobissodamnexhausting

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/9/5/17818170/work-fatigue-exhaustion-psychology

Ifyouwanttoknow,you’llhavetoreadthisarticle:)

Research

SS&M-Evidencesuggestsaneedtorethinksocialcapitalandsocialcapitalinterventions

AShieletal;https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795361830488X

Iincludedthisoneforoldtimes’sake:)20yearsago,IwasinvolvedinaPhDproject(totestPutnam’ssocialcapitaltheoryintheEU)thatwasabsolutelygoingnowhere.Abitlikethecurrentreality,youmightsay.

“Policyimplicationsrelatingtosocialcapitalandhealthareelusiveandcontradictory.Theywillremainsounlesswechangethewaywedesignandevaluatehealthinterventions.Suggestionsareofferedonhowtoaddressthischallenge.”

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JournalofEmpiricalResearchonHumanResearchEthics-LinkingParticipatoryActionResearchonHealthSystemstoJusticeinGlobalHealth:ACaseStudyoftheMaternalandNeonatalImplementationforEquitableHealthSystemsProjectinRuralUganda.

BPratt&AHyder;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29160115

“Anethicalframeworkcalled"researchforhealthjustice"providesinitialguidanceonhowtolinkhealthsystemsresearchinlow-andmiddle-incomecountriestohealthequity.Tofurtherdevelopthelargelyconceptualframework,wetesteditsguidanceagainsttheexperienceoftheMaternalandNeonatalImplementationforEquitableHealthSystems(Manifest)project,whichwasperformedinruralUgandabyresearchersfromMakerereUniversity.……Ouranalysisidentifieswherealignmentexistsbetweentheframework'sguidanceandtheManifestproject,providinginitiallessonsonhowthatwasachieved.Italsoidentifieswherenonalignmentoccurredandgapsintheframework'sguidance.Suggestionsarethenmadeforrevisingandexpanding"researchforhealthjustice."”

BMJGlobalHealth-Systematicdebriefingafterqualitativeencounters:anessentialanalysisstepinappliedqualitativeresearch

SMcMahonetal;https://gh.bmj.com/content/3/5/e000837

“Conversationsregardingqualitativeresearchandqualitativedataanalysisinglobalpublichealthprogrammingoftenemphasizetheproductofdatacollection(audiorecordings,transcripts,codebooksandcodes),whilepayingrelativelylessattentiontotheprocessofdatacollection.……Thispaperdefinesanddiscussesaprocessforsystematicdebriefings.Debriefingsentailthorough,goal-orienteddiscussionofdataimmediatelyafteritiscollected.Debriefingstakedifferentformsandfulfillslightlydifferentpurposesasdatacollectionprogresses.DrawingfromexamplesinourhealthsystemsresearchinTanzaniaandSierraLeone,weelucidatehowdebriefingshaveallowedusto:enhancetheskillsofdatacollectors;gainimmediateinsightsintothecontentofdata;correctcourseamidunforeseenchangesandchallengesinthelocalcontext;strengthenthequalityandtrustworthinessofdatainrealtime;andquicklyshareemergingdatawithstakeholdersinprogrammatic,policyandacademicspheres….”

BMJGlobalHealth(Editorial)-Towardsequityinglobalhealthpartnerships:adoptionoftheResearchFairnessInitiative(RFI)byPortuguese-speakingcountries

ACarvalhoetal;https://gh.bmj.com/content/3/5/e000978

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Thetitlespeaksprettymuchforitself.FormoreinfoonRFI,seealsoarecentIHPFeatarticle-FromgoodintentionstoEquitableSolutionsinHealthResearchCollaborations–TheResearchFairnessInitiative(RFI).