Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Malaria ..................................................................................................................... 12
Malarias deadly secret: a skin stage .................................................................................... 12
Increased use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests improves targeting of anti-malarial treatment in rural Tanzania: implications for nationwide rollout of malaria rapid diagnostic tests ........ 12 No Evidence of Delayed Parasite Clearance after Oral Artesunate Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Mali ........................................................................... 12 Getting Better Value for Money in Malaria Control ............................................................... 13 Reduction of Malaria Prevalence by Indoor Residual Spraying: A Meta-Regression Analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 13 Malaria: a full-time problem addressed on a part-time basis by amateur entomologists...... 13 Lessons from Agriculture for the Sustainable Management of Malaria Vectors ................... 13 Why use of interventions targeting outdoor biting mosquitoes will be necessary to achieve malaria elimination ................................................................................................................ 14
Tuberculosis ............................................................................................................. 14
mHealth to Improve TB Care................................................................................................. 14 Screening Strategies for Tuberculosis Prevalence Surveys: The Value of Chest Radiography and Symptoms ................................................................................................. 15 HIV and TB in Practice for nurses: active TB case finding ................................................... 15
Social Protection....................................................................................................... 17
Evaluating social transfer programmes - Guidance for DFID country offices ....................... 17 Linking Social Protection and Agricultural Production: The Case of Mexico ........................ 18 Microinsurance in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru......................................................... 18 The Centre for Social Protection ........................................................................................... 18 Shocks and Social Protection in the Horn of Africa: Analysis from the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia.......................................................................................................... 19
Education ................................................................................................................. 23
Scaling Up Corporate Social Investments in Education: Five Strategies that Work ............. 23
Others ...................................................................................................................... 26
Demographics Prognosis for South Asia: A Future of Rapid Aging...................................... 26
CONFERENCES................................................................ 27
Health Partnership Conference 2012.................................................................................... 27 Global Education + Technology Health (GETHealth) Summit 2012 ..................................... 28 BioMed Central Open Access Africa Conference ................................................................. 28
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BOOKS
International travel and health 2012
World Health Organization, 2012 The following chapters can be downloaded at: http://www.who.int/ith Chapter 6: Vaccine preventable diseases Country list: Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendation; malaria situation Annexes: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination This book explains how travellers can stay healthy and provides WHO guidance on vaccinations, malaria chemoprophylaxis and treatment, personal protection against insects and other disease vectors, and safety in different environmental settings. It covers all the principal risks to travellers health, both during their journeys and at their destinations. It describes all relevant infectious diseases, including their causative agents, modes of transmission, clinical features and geographical distribution, and pr ovides details of prophylactic and preventive measures. The complete and fully linked PDF version can be purchased on line for US$ 10 at: http://apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/detart1.jsp?codlan=1&codcol=80&codcch=79 Electronic book versions (for smart phones, tablets or Kindle) will soon also be available on line for US$ 10. ***
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
Global Health Global Actors in Health Policy
EQUINET with ECSA Health Community Policy Series No. 29, March 2012
4 pp. 1.4 MB: http://www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/docs/Polbrief29%20global%20actors.pdf In 1948, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was established as the agency for directing and coordinating authority on international health work, particularly in setting norms and standards and policies in public health. By 2011 many new institutions exist in global health, with different governance mechanisms and funding, powers and mandates. This brief explores the range and influence of global health actors and the implications for health diplomacy within east and southern Africa. ***
Keeping Promises
by Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, 2012 36 pp. 2.8 MB: http://www.who.int/dg/Report_card_cover_28_06.pdf During 2006, to support her candidacy for the post of WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan issued a manifesto with a six-point agenda for leading the Organization forward. Specific commitments were made under each agenda item. She promised results and is holding herself accountable. This document sets out her frank and personal assessment of achievements, setbacks, and remaining challenges, structured around the 22 specific promises she made prior to her election. ***
Scaling-up and rooting-down: a case study of North-South partnerships for health from Tanzania
by J. Hope Corbin, Maurice B. Mittelmark and Gro Th. Lie Global Health Action, Vol. 5, 28 June 2012 11 pp. 177 kB: http://www.globalhealthaction.net/index.php/gha/article/download/18369/pdf_1 North-South Partnership (NSP) is the mandated blueprint for much global health action. Northern partners contribute funding and expertise and Southern partners contribute HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 5
capacity for local action. The purpose of this study is to examine how scaling up affects a Southern partners organizational functioning, in a Southern grassroots NGO with 20 years of scaling up experience. ***
HIV - AIDS - STI Investigating the Impact of Treatment on New HIV Infections
The HIV Modelling Consortium Treatment as Prevention Editorial Writing Group, 2012 PLoS Medicine: Published 10 July 2012: http://www.ploscollections.org/TasP2012 In November 2011 the HIV Modelling Consortium held a meeting in South Africa to focus on the cross-cutting issues of the impact of new scientific findings about HIV treatment preventing new infections. The group considered the feasibility of interventions, potential epidemiological impact, affordability, and new scientific observational studies and community trials. The nine reviews and one research article which comprise this collection arose from that meeting and provide insights into the factors which will support evidence-based decision-making in HIV prevention, with a focus on the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV transmission. ***
Integrating HIV treatment with primary care outpatient services: opportunities and challenges from a scaled-up model in Zambia
by Stephanie M Topp, Julien M Chipukuma, Matimba M Chiko et al. Health Policy Plan. (2012)- First published online: July 11, 2012 11 pp. 179 kB:
http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/07/11/heapol.czs065.full.pdf#page=1&view=FitH
Integration of HIV treatment with other primary care services has been argued to potentially improve effectiveness, efficiency and equity. However, outside the field of repr oductive health, there is limited empirical evidence regarding the scope or depth of int egrated HIV programmes or their relative benefits. This paper examines the effect of the integrated model on the organization of clinic services, and explores service providers perceptions of the integrated model. ***
Expanding the role of community mobilization to accelerate progress towards ending vertical transmission of HIV in Uganda: the Networks model
by Gitau Mburu, Kate Iorpenda, Fred Muwanga Journal of the International AIDS Society 2012, 15 (Suppl. 2): 17386 9 pp. 637 kB: http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/download/17386/702 In the context of current shortfalls in the prevention of vertical HIV transmission, this paper presents the results of the Networks project, a community mobilisation model implemented by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Uganda, and draws out the theoretical foundations and promising community mobilization practices relevant to prevention of vertical transmission. ***
The final report of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law presents a coherent and compelling evidence base on human rights and legal issues relating to HIV. It presents persuasive evidence and recommendations that can save lives, save money and help end the AIDS epidemic. The recommendations appeal to what is common to all our cu ltures and communities - the innate humanity of recognising and respecting the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. This report may make a great many people uncomfortable - hopefully uncomfortable enough to take action. ***
Lost in Transition: Transgender People, Rights and HIV Vulnerability in the Asia-Pacific Region
by Sam Winter United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), May 2012 76 pp. 3.0 MB: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/hivaids/UNDP_HIV_ Transgender_report_Lost_in_Transition_May_2012.pdf The report aims to provide a research and strategic information framework. It will guide governments, civil society, donors and key stakeholders to design and produce relevant research as part of collective effort to reduce the extreme vulnerability of transgender people to HIV, while protecting their rights in the Asia-Pacific Region. ***
Community Perceptions of PMTCT Services and Safe Male Circumcision in Six Focal States in Nigeria
by Aderemi Azeez, Millicent Shaset, Patience Stephen et al. AIDS Support and Technical Assistance Resources (AIDSTAR-One) Project, 2012 54 pp. 471 kB: http://www.aidstar-one.com/sites/default/files/docs/AIDSTAROne_Report_PMTCT_SMC_Perceptions_Nigeria.pdf This study, conducted in six states in Nigeria, explores community perceptions of PMTCT and safe male circumcision (SMC) services and identifies barriers to uptake of services. In addition, the study explores attitudes and barriers regarding male partner involvement, which increases womens participation in and adherence to PMTCT se rvices and improves infant health outcomes. The study will inform the development of behavior change communication messages to promote PMTCT and SMC in a few states that can later be replicated across Nigeria. ***
Contraception at a Crossroads
by Valerie DeFillipo, Peter Hall, John Skibiak et al. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), December 2008 54 pp. 1.4 MB: http://www.ippf.org/NR/rdonlyres/44A072FB-E35E-4BD7-8983BC0BB91682DA/0/ContraceptionAtaCrossroads.pdf This report highlights the systemic problems that prevent women, men and young people from accessing reproductive health supplies, and provide recommendations on moving forward. The authors call for increased funding for reproductive health and argue that reproductive health must be incorporated into national health plans and budgeted for accordingly. Additionally, governments should create an enabling environment for sexual and reproductive health and rights. ***
Maternal & Child Health Improving the Health of Women & Children around the world by 2015
MDG Health Alliance, 2012 20 pp. 3.2 MB: http://www.mdghealthalliance.org/assets/downloads/RM01_Merck MDGHA_Webv2.pdf The MDG Health Alliance works in partnership with UN agencies, to support country efforts to accelerate progress toward achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 4, 5 & 6). Phase 1 of the Alliances child health agenda will focus on preventing child diarrheal deaths in the two regions of the world where they are most concentrated - the northern states of India and Nigeria. In phase 2 this approach will be extended to the other high child mortality countries along with efforts to reduce child pneumonia deaths and neonatal deaths. ***
Improving Health of Children in Urban Slums Through an Integrated Model Based Approach
by Sudharsanam Manni Balasubramaniam, Venkatesh Munuswamy Paneerselvam, Mangayarkarasi Senguttuvan et al. Indian Pediatrics, June 10, 2012 [E-PUB ahead of print] 5 pp. 74 kB: http://www.indianpediatrics.net/RB%2010.06.2012/RB-170.pdf This work was started with objective to improve health status of children in an urban slum by an integrated model based approach. The environmental conditions were improved. Health care needs were taken care and self-help groups were started to make them financially independent. This model was evaluated in 204 families with 350 underfive children. Survey revealed that 88% of them used safe garbage disposal and 95% of them had household latrines. Only 24% of under-five children had water borne morbidity in past one year and there were no vector borne diseases. 71% of them followed some contraception. ***
Revitalizing the Partograph: Does the Evidence Support a Global Call to Action?
Report of an Expert Meeting, Desmond Tutu Center, New York, November 15-16, 2011 EngenderHealth/Fistula Care, 2012 45 pp. 369 kB: http://www.fistulacare.org/pages/pdf/program-reports/EngenderHealth-FistulaCare-Partograph-Meeting-Report-9-April-12.pdf The partograph is a decision-making tool for preventing and managing prolonged or obstructed labor. Correct use of the partograph can prevent serious complications, including ruptured uterus, obstetric fistula, and stillbirth. Yet after more than 50 years of training and investment in the partograph in low-resource settings, it remains an underutilized tool and too few health care workers understand how to use it properly. This r eport explores the health system challenges to partograph implementation and the evidence in favour of revitalizing its use, not only to manage labor effectively, but also to improve the overall quality of care offered to women and their babies during childbirth. ***
Increased use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests improves targeting of antimalarial treatment in rural Tanzania: implications for nationwide rollout of malaria rapid diagnostic tests
Irene M Masanja, Majige Selemani, Baraka Amuri et al. Malaria Journal 2012, 11:221 (2 July 2012) 15 pp. 301 kB: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/pdf/1475-2875-11-221.pdf Implementation of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) increased use of RDTs for parasitological confirmation and reduced over-treatment with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) during high malaria transmission season in one area in Tanzania. Continued monitoring of the national RDT rollout will be needed to assess whether these changes in case management practices will be replicated in other areas and sustained over time. Additional measures (such as refresher trainings, closer supervisions, etc.) may be needed to improve ACT targeting during low transmission seasons. ***
No Evidence of Delayed Parasite Clearance after Oral Artesunate Treatment of Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria in Mali
Amelia W. Maiga, Bakary Fofana, Issaka Sagara et al. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 87(1), 2012, pp. 23-28 6 pp. 721 kB: http://www.ajtmh.org/content/87/1/23.full.pdf+html Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins by delayed parasite clearance is present in Southeast Asia. Scant data on parasite clearance after artemisinins are available from Africa, where transmission is high, burden is greatest, and artemisinin use is being scaled up. From this study the authors conclude that the life saving drug artemisinin continues to be effective in rapidly curing young children infected with malaria. ***
The effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor insecticide sprays to control adult mosquito vectors is being threatened by the spread of insecticide resistance. The authors argue for expanding beyond insecticide monotherapy to more sustainable integrated vector management strategies that use optimal suites of control tactics. Exper ience in agriculture suggests that such integrated approaches can provide more effective and durable pest management. This shift will require increased investment in research and translational science. Failure to act risks a resurgence of malaria and erosion of community support and donor commitment. ***
Why use of interventions targeting outdoor biting mosquitoes will be necessary to achieve malaria elimination
by Nicodem James Govella and Heather Ferguson Frontiers In Systems Biology, published: 12 June 2012 5 pp. 290 kB: http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/DownloadFile.ashx?pdf=1&FileId=%208377&article Id=%2018261&Version=%201&ContentTypeId=21&FileName=%20fphys-03-00199.pdf Existing malaria vector control measures such as Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) combined with Artemisinin Based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs have significantly reduced the malaria burden in many parts of Africa. However, it is unlikely that these packages of interventions of their own will be sufficient to achieve malaria elimination in the most endemic settings where transmission rates are extremely high.
Screening Strategies for Tuberculosis Prevalence Surveys: The Value of Chest Radiography and Symptoms
by Anna H. vant Hoog, Helen K. Meme, Kayla F. Laserson et al. PLoS ONE 7(7): e38691 (6 July 2012) 9 pp. 238 kB: http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObjectAttachment.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F 10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0038691&representation=PDF The authors conducted a tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey and evaluated the screening methods used in their survey, to assess if screening in TB prevalence surveys could be simplified, and to assess the accuracy of screening algorithms that may be applicable for active case finding. They conclude that chest radiography (CXR) screening alone had higher accuracy compared to symptom screening alone. Combined CXR and symptom screening had the highest sensitivity and remains important for suspect identification in TB prevalence surveys in settings where bacteriological sputum examination of all participants is not feasible. ***
Other Infectious Diseases Ebola and Marburg Hemorrhagic Fevers: Neglected Tropical Diseases?
by Adam MacNeil and Pierre E. Rollin PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6(6): e1546 (26 June 2012) 7 pp. 158 kB:
http://www.plosntds.org/article/fetchObjectAttachment.action;jsessionid=5942C9AC12C158EB F6D5B5E01265F3C8?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pntd.0001546&representation=PDF
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) and Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF) are rare viral diseases, endemic to central Africa. The overall burden of EHF and MHF is small in comparison to the more common protozoan, helminth, and bacterial diseases typically referred to as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). However, EHF and MHF outbreaks typically occur in resource-limited settings, and many aspects of these outbreaks are a direct consequence of impoverished conditions.
Non-communicable Diseases Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: Results from the World Health Survey
by Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, Nicole Bergen, Shanthi Mendis et al. BMC Public Health 2012, 12:474 (22 June 2012) 26 pp. 394 kB: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-12-474.pdf This study quantified and compared education- and wealth-based inequalities in the prevalence of five non-communicable diseases (angina, arthritis, asthma, depression and diabetes) and co-morbidity in low- and middle-income country groups. The authors conclude that non-communicable diseases are not necessarily diseases of the wealthy, and showed unequal distribution across socioeconomic groups in low- and middleincome country groups.
Editorial: Wake up, South Africa! The antibiotic horse has bolted
by Marc Mendelson, Andrew Whitelaw, Mark Nicol et al. South African Medical Journal, Vol. 102, No. 7 (2012) 2 pp. 121 kB: http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/download/5759/4271 Decades of poor medical and veterinary antibiotic prescribing and a lack of regard for the practice of infection prevention and control in its hospitals have left South Africa, like the rest of the international community, on the brink of a return to an era of untreatable bacterial infection. The recent emergence in South Africa of bacteria carrying the highly mobile New Delhi metallo--lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene, which has been associated with rapid spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and, for the first time in Africa, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs), will have a profound effect on the lives of patients and on the health service. ***
The make or buy debate: Considering the limitations of domestic production in Tanzania
by Kinsley Rose Wilson, Jillian Clare Kohler and Natalia Ovtcharenko Globalization and Health 2012, 8:20 (29 June 2012) 17 pp. 302 kB: http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/pdf/1744-8603-8-20.pdf In order to ensure their population's regular access to essential medicines, many least developed countries and developing countries are faced with the policy question of whether to import or manufacture drugs locally, in particular for life-saving antiretroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS patients. In order for domestic manufacturing to be viable and cost-effective, the local industry must be able to compete with international suppliers of medicines by producing sufficiently low cost ARVs. ***
Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines: Exploring the Health Seeking Behaviours and Health Service Utilisation for Children Under-5 Years Living in Squatter Settlement of Karachi, Pakistan
by Yasir Shafiq, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Ramesh Kumar J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 23(1): Jan-Mar 2011 7 pp. 460 kB: http://www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/23-1/Yasir.pdf Child health outcomes in the poor communities are largely affected by the nonavailability of essential medicines at government health facilities and non-affordability of prescribed medicines at private retail pharmacies. On the users side, health education and health promotion campaign must be instituted to explain the adverse effects on child health ensure appropriate health care seeking behaviours. For the supply side, the health care authorities must ensure the availability of essential medicines for the children at the government facilities. ***
Social Protection Evaluating social transfer programmes - Guidance for DFID country offices
HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 17
by Ranil Dissanayake, Zoe Stephenson and Matthew Greenslade Department for International Development (DFID), June 2012 42 pp. 358 kB: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/R4D/PDF/Publications/DFID_guidance_for_ evaluating_social_transfer_programmes_June_2012.pdf This guidance is for DFID advisers and staff, but will also be useful for contracted evaluation teams and international partners. It aims to help staff feel confident to commission and manage high quality impact and process evaluations of social transfer pr ogrammes (programmes which transfer cash, food and assets). ***
The Centre for Social Protection (CSP) is a global hub for research, policy analysis, and capacity building in social protection. CSP envisions a world in which every person is protected against shocks and adverse personal circumstances, and in which vulnerable people can enhance their livelihoods and wellbeing. This report provides a concise picture of the Centre for Social Protections approach, key areas of work and accomplis hments over the last six years. ***
Shocks and Social Protection in the Horn of Africa: Analysis from the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia
Christophe Bn, Stephen Devereux and Rachel Sabates-Wheeler Institute of Development Studies, June 2012 120 pp. 386 kB: http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/Wp395.pdf Using panel data from the Ethiopian Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), this paper explores the degree to which this social protection programme has been successful in protecting its beneficiaries against the various shocks that have affected the Horn of Africa in the recent past. The analysis suggests that although the PSNP has managed to improve households food security and wellbeing, the positive effects of the programme are not robust enough to shield recipients completely against the impacts of severe shocks.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Water Safety Planning for Small Community Water Supplies
by Jennifer De France, David Drury, Bruce Gordon et al. World Health Organization, 2012 66 pp. 1.9 MB: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2012/water _supply.pdf This manual is designed to engage, empower and guide communities in the Water Safety Plan (WSP) development and implementation process. Guidance is provided on how to develop and implement a WSP through six achievable tasks. By following the WSP approach as described in this manual, small communities can improve the management of their drinking-water systems to achieve incremental and sustainable improvements in their drinking-water quality. ***
Global costs and benefits of drinking-water supply and sanitation interventions to reach the MDG target and universal coverage
by Guy Hutton World Health Organization, 2012 67 pp. 2.4 MB: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2012/globalcosts.pdf
This report updates previous economic analyses conducted by the World Health Organization, using new drinking water supply and sanitation (WSS) coverage rates, costs of services, income levels and health indicators. Benefit-cost ratios (BCR) and costs are estimated to meet the MDG drinking-water and sanitation target and to attain universal access of basic services. Rural and urban areas are analysed as separate targets. ***
Health Systems & Research Implementation research evidence uptake and use for policy-making
by Ulysses Panisset, Tracey Prez Koehlmoos, Ahmed Hamdi Alkhatib et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2012, 10:20 (2 July 2012) 13 pp. 222 kB: http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/pdf/1478-4505-10-20.pdf A major obstacle to the progress of the Millennium Development Goals has been the inability of health systems in many low- and middle-income countries to effectively implement evidence-informed interventions. This article discusses the relationships between implementation research and knowledge translation and identifies the role of implementation research in the design and execution of evidence-informed policy. ***
Selected articles from Universal Coverage: Can We Guarantee Health For All?
Proceedings from Universal Coverage: Can We Guarantee Health For All? Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, 3-4 October 2011 Edited by Pascale Allotey, Daniel D Reidpath, Shenglan Tang et al. BMC Public Health, Volume 12, Supplement 1, (22 June 2012) http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/supplements/12/S1 The papers attempt to examine the concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) from a HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 20
series of different perspectives: equity and vulnerability, insurance and financing, coverage and satisfaction, and implementation. The proceedings of the symposium are also expected to feed into the background papers for the Second Global Symposium on Health Systems Research to be held in Beijing, 31 October to 3 November 2012. ***
Equity in financing and use of health care in Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania: implications for paths to universal coverage
by Anne Mills, John E Ataguba, James Akazili et al. The Lancet, Vol. 380, Issue 9837, pp. 126-133, 14 July 2012 8 pp. 542 kB: http://download.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140673612603572.pdf Universal coverage of health care is now receiving substantial worldwide and national attention, but debate continues on the best mix of financing mechanisms, especially to protect people outside the formal employment sector. Crucial issues are the equity implications of different financing mechanisms, and patterns of service use. The authors report a whole-system analysis - integrating both public and private sectors - of the equity of health-system financing and service use in Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania. ***
User fee removal in the health sector in low-income countries: lessons from recent national initiatives
Guest Editors: Bruno Meessen, Lucy Gilson and Abdelmajid Tibouti Health Policy Plan. (2011) 26(suppl 2), November 2011 Access all 11 articles free of charge at: http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/content/26/suppl_2.toc The guest editors believe that this supplement conveys at least four general messages. HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 21
First, policies aiming to reduce financial barriers can be very effective in improving health service utilization, provided they are well designed, funded and implemented. The second main message is that user fees cannot be removed with the stroke of a pen. A third message is that there are different ways to mobilize, pool and allocate collective resources to finance improved financial access for vulnerable population groups. A fourth message is that development partners have played varying roles in the country experiences gathered in this supplement.
Information & Communication Technology Meeting the Information Needs of Health Care Providers, Program Managers, and Policy Makers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Special Issue, Journal of Health Communication, Vol. 17, Supplement 2, 2012 Access all 8 articles fulltext free of charge at: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/uhcm20/17/sup2 This special issue documents evidence from field research that health information for all is a prerequisite for achieving universal access to health for all, and of course, the Millennium Development Goals. Individuals and organizations are enabled and empowered to make better health care decisions through better access to and use of health knowledge. The studies in this special issue provide valuable insight on the health information needs in three countries and an overview of the global knowledge system. To make that system effective and responsive to the health information needs of different health care providers, a few suggestions are put forward for countries and the donor community to consider. ***
Mobile Application Reinforces Frontline Health Workers Knowledge, Confidence, and Credibility
IntraHealth International, June 2012 Read online at: http://www.intrahealth.org/page/mobileapplication-reinforces-frontline-health-workers-knowledgeconfidence-and-credibilityHESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 22
In rural India, frontline health workers - called accredited social health activists (or ASHAs) - are improving the health of women and families in their own communities by offering key preventive health services. Through the Manthan Project, IntraHealth International is testing a promising multi-media mobile phone application called mSakhi as a tool to make ASHAs jobs both easier and more effective. ***
"Even if You Know Everything You Can Forget": Health Worker Perceptions of Mobile Phone Text-Messaging to Improve Malaria CaseManagement in Kenya
by Caroline O. H. Jones, Beatrice Wasunna, Raymond Sudoi et al. PLoS ONE 7(6): e38636 (13 June 2012) 10 pp. 1.6 MB: http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObjectAttachment.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F 10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0038636&representation=PDF This paper presents the results of a qualitative study to investigate the perceptions and experiences of health workers involved in a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a novel intervention to improve health worker malaria case management in 107 government health facilities in Kenya. The intervention involved sending text-messages about paediatric outpatient malaria case-management accompanied by motivating quotes to health workers mobile phones. ***
Health and Illness in a Connected World: How Might Sharing Experiences on the Internet Affect Peoples Health?
by Sue Ziebland and Sally Wyke The Milbank Quarterly, June 2012, Vol. 90, No. 2, 2012 (pp. 219-249) 31 pp. 347 kB: http://www.milbank.org/uploads/documents/featuredarticles/pdf/Health-and-Illness-in-a-Connected-World.pdf The use of the Internet for peer-to-peer connection has been one of its most dramatic and transformational features. Yet this is a new field with no agreement on a theoretical and methodological basis. The scientific base underpinning this activity needs strengthening, especially given the explosion of web resources that feature experiences posted by patients themselves. This review informs a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK) research program on the impact of online patients accounts of their experiences with health and health care, which includes the development and validation of a new e-health impact questionnaire.
Education Scaling Up Corporate Social Investments in Education: Five Strategies that Work
by Justin W. van Fleet The Brookings Institution, May 2012 HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 23
17 pp. 565 kB: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2012/5/corporate%20investments%20vanfleet/05_corporate_investments_vanfleet.pdf Scaling up good corporate social investment practices in developing countries is crucial to realizing the Education for All and Millennium Development Goals. Yet very few corporate social investments have the right mix of vision, financing, cross-sector engagement and leadership to come to scale. Corporations can use their core assets to generate shared value for business and society by helping get children into school, setting a strong learning agenda and scaling up what works in education. This policy paper looks at what works and what is not working in corporate efforts to further education in developing countries.
Harm Reduction and Drug Use Harm reduction in Cambodia: a disconnect between policy and practice
by Kannarath Chheng, Supheap Leang, Nick Thomson et al. Harm Reduction Journal 2012, 9:30 (9 July 2012) 16 pp. 272 kB: http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/pdf/1477-7517-9-30.pdf In 2003 the Government of Cambodia officially began to recognise that harm reduction was an essential approach to preventing HIV among people who used drugs and their sexual partners. However, there have been ongoing tensions between law enforcement and harm reduction actors, despite several advocacy efforts targeting law enforcement. This study attempts to better understand the implementation of harm reduction in Cambodia and how the policy environment and harm reduction program implementation has intersected with the role of law enforcement officials in Cambodia. ***
72 pp. 19.4(!) MB: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG%20Report%202012.pdf This years report on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) highlights several milestones. The target of reducing extreme poverty by half has been reached five years ahead of the 2015 deadline, as has the target of halving the proportion of people who lack dependable access to improved sources of drinking water. Conditions for more than 200 million people living in slums have been ameliorated - double the 2020 target. Primary school enrolment of girls equalled that of boys, and we have seen accelerating progress in reducing child and maternal mortality.
Development Assistance The Right to a Better Life: Strategy for Denmarks Development Cooperation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, June 2012 40 pp. 2.7 MB:
http://um.dk/en/~/media/UM/Englishsite/Documents/Danida/Goals/Strategy/13287_DANIDA_strategiformidling_UK_web.ashx
Denmarks development cooperation aims to fight poverty and promote human rights. There will be emphasis on local ownership, results and transparency in the management of Denmarks development intervention. Its development policy is global in scope, but concrete efforts will be focused on the poorest countries, where needs are greatest and where Denmark can best make a difference. ***
31 pp. 287 kB: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/R4D/PDF/Outputs/Mis_SPC/60827_DPRMcGee_Preprint.pdf Concerns about the transparency of aid have become more prominent against a recent background of donor commitments to increase aid effectiveness. Innovative approaches to assessing the costs of non-transparent aid and providing more and better information about aid have been developed. This article explores the impact of these aid transparency and accountability initiatives (TAIs). ***
The author explains why aid transparency can strengthen donor confidence and tackle the inefficiencies hindering the flow of funding.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
Bulletin of the World Health Organization - Vol. 90, Nr. 7, July 2012, 477-556
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/90/7/en/index.html This issue includes articles on the following topics: How much does health regulation cost? New challenges in polio endgame Potential of particle therapy for cancer Post-conflict rehabilitation of soldiers Greater coordination efforts needed on non-communicable diseases HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 26
This months issue of the Bulletin is available in a variety of new formats for e-book readers and DAISY playback readers (digital talking books). ***
C-Channel E-Newsletter Issue 43, July 2012: The Future of HIV-Prevention Communication
http://www.c-changeprogram.org/cchannel_issue43_july2012?utm_source=cchannel&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=onlineissue&utm_content=43 This issue presents eight articles on the future of HIV-prevention communication, its relationship to biomedical approaches, and the role of social mobilization and social change in responding to HIV. The first five articles emphasize the key role of the social sciences and behavioural approaches in the future success of biomedical interventions and new HIV-prevention technologies. Interventions of this kind in South Africa and Uganda are outlined in the sixth and seventh articles. The final article recommends social change communication as an inclusive way of responding to HIV and AIDS issues and drivers such as gender inequality and stigma and discrimination. ***
CONFERENCES
Health Partnership Conference 2012
3 - 4 September, 2012, THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust) HESP-News & Notes -15/2012 - page 27
Imperial College, London, United Kingdom Gaining a better understanding of what works well and what doesnt is central to building partnerships for global health. The 2012 conference programme will examine the principles of health partnership working, debate the added value of working within a partnership framework and explore some of the challenges and benefits involved. For more information see: http://www.thet.org/health-partnerships-conference-2012/ ***
CARTOON
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What is Bluetooth?
You may have heard about mobile phones and other devices having Bluetooth Technology. Basically, it is a short-range wireless technology that simplifies communication between internet devices like smart phones, tablets and computers, although it is most commonly used for wireless hands-free headsets for cell phones. It gets its unusual name in honor of Harald Bluetooth king of Denmark in the mid-tenth century for no other reason than to recognize the contribution of Baltic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland) to the communications industry. If you look around you will find a ton of devices that use Bluetooth. Everything from wireless printers, wireless keyboards, even some home appliances (although its still not clear why my computer and washing machine need to communicate). Best regards, Dieter Neuvians MD