Because researchers and policy-makers work in different spheres, policy decisions in the health arena are often not based on available scientific evidence.This paper describes a model that illustrates the policy process and how to work strategically to translate knowledge into policy actions. Activities were undertaken as part of the Kenyan Ministry of Health’s new decentralised planning-process.
Monitoring equity and research policy
Creating windows of opportunity for policy change: Incorporating evidence into decentralized planning in Kenya
Ashford LS, Smith RR, De Souza RM, Fikree FF, Yinger NV: WHO Bulletin 84, August 2006
Using knowledge brokering to promote evidence-based policy-making: The need for support structures
van Kammen J, de Savigny D, Sewankambo N: WHO Bulletin 84, August 2006
Knowledge brokering is a promising strategy to close the “know–do gap” and foster greater use of research findings and evidence in policy-making. It focuses on organising the interactive process between the producers and users of knowledge so that they can co-produce feasible and research-informed policy options. This paper describes a recent successful experience with this novel approach in the Netherlands and also discusses the potential of this approach to assist health policy development in low-income countries based on the experience of developing the Regional East-African Health (REACH)- Policy Initiative.
Setting the stage for equity-sensitive monitoring of the maternal and child health MDGs
e-Civicus, 7 July 2006
This analysis seeks to set the stage for equity-sensitive monitoring of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs and other development initiatives must become more comprehensive and explicit in their analysis and tracking of inequities, and the design of policies to narrow health gaps must take into account country-specific inequities.
When will we ever learn? Improving lives through impact evaluation
Evaluation Gap Working Group/ Eldis, 30 June 2006
This report provides a strategic solution to the evidence gap in development programming. The report argues that by bringing vital knowledge into the service of policymaking and programme design, it is possible to improve the effectiveness of domestic spending and development assistance. The group was asked to investigate why rigorous impact evaluations of social development programmes, whether financed directly by developing country governments or supported by international aid, are relatively rare; as well as ways to improve on this.
A new initiative at the WHO: Prizes rather than prices
Love J: Le Monde Diplomatique, 30 May 2006
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has taken an important step to reform the global system for supporting medical research and development (R&D). The organisation’s governing body has just passed a new — hotly-debated — resolution to set up a new intergovernmental working group that will immediately start work to "draw up a global strategy and plan of action." This will include a new framework to support sustainable, needs-driven, essential R&D work on diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries.
Constructing an international poverty assessment tool: A methodological note with illustrations
Grootaert C, Leegwater A: The IRIS Centre, 25 April 2006
The IRIS/USAID project on developing poverty assessment tools has collected data on the poverty status of 12 low-income countries, adapting measurement tools for country-specific use. This paper proposes a methodology to construct an international poverty tool, or set of tools, that are easily applicable to a range of political economies.
Foreign Direct Investment, development and gender equity: A review of research and policy
Braunstein E: Eldis, 2 June 2006
This paper provides a summary of the empirical and policy-related literature on the multifaceted relationships between gender inequalities and foreign direct investment (FDI). It reviews the research on the impact of FDI on investment, productivity, trade, employment, wages and working conditions.
Health Research Profile to assess the capacity of low and middle income countries for equity-oriented research
Tugwell P, Sitthi-Amorn C, Hatcher-Roberts J, Neufeld V, Makara P, Munoz F, Czerny P, Robinson V, Nuyens Y, Okello D: BioMed Central Public Health, 12 June 2006
The Commission on Health Research for Development concluded that “for the most vulnerable people, the benefits of research offer a potential for change that has gone largely untapped.” This project was designed to assess low and middle income country capacity and commitment for equity-oriented research.
Just listen: Research and activism can walk hand-in-hand
Real Health News, 17 May 2006
Activist researcher Ravi Narayan, a member of the Foundation Council of the Global Forum, speaks of the necessity for all groups working towards people’s health, including researchers, to listen to each other. Hard evidence is essential for progress he says – especially evidience collected and analysed by researchers in least developed countries.
Measuring inequality: Tools and an illustration
Williams RFG, Doessel DP: International Journal for Equity in Health 5: 5, 22 May 2006
This paper examines an aspect of the problem of measuring inequality in health services. The measures that are commonly applied can be misleading because such measures obscure the difficulty in obtaining a complete ranking of distributions. The nature of the social welfare function underlying these measures is important. The overall object is to demonstrate that varying implications for the welfare of society result from inequality measures.