Bilal Aslam, Rubab Asghar, Saima Muzammil, Muhammad Shafique, Abu Baker Siddique, Mohsin Khurshid, Muhammad Ijaz, Muhammad Hidayat Rasool, Tamoor Hamid Chaudhry, Afreenish Aamir, Zulqarnain Baloch
{"title":"AMR and Sustainable Development Goals: at a crossroads.","authors":"Bilal Aslam, Rubab Asghar, Saima Muzammil, Muhammad Shafique, Abu Baker Siddique, Mohsin Khurshid, Muhammad Ijaz, Muhammad Hidayat Rasool, Tamoor Hamid Chaudhry, Afreenish Aamir, Zulqarnain Baloch","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01046-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01046-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, primarily stemming from its misuse and overuse in both veterinary and public healthcare systems. The consequences of AMR are severe, leading to more severe infections, increased health protection costs, prolonged hospital stays, unresponsive treatments, and elevated fatality rates. The impact of AMR is direct and far-reaching, particularly affecting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the urgency for concerted global actions to achieve these objectives. Disproportionately affecting underprivileged populations, AMR compounds their vulnerabilities, pushing them further into poverty. Moreover, AMR has ramifications for food production, jeopardizing sustainable agriculture and diminishing the livelihoods of farmers. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in underprivileged areas heightens the risk of complications and mortality. Climate change further contributes to AMR, as evidenced by increased instances of foodborne salmonellosis and the development of antibiotic resistance, resulting in substantial healthcare costs. Effectively addressing AMR demands collaboration among governments, entrepreneurs, and the public sector to establish institutions and policies across all regulatory levels. Expanding SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for sustainable development, would facilitate global antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, technology transfer, surveillance systems, and investment in vaccine and drug research. The World Bank's SDG database, tracking progress towards sustainable development, reveals a concerning picture with only a 15% success rate till 2023 and 48% showing deviation, underscoring a global gap exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tackling AMR's global impact necessitates international cooperation, robust monitoring, and evaluation methods. The five priorities outlined guide SDG implementation, while impoverished countries must address specific challenges in their implementation efforts. Addressing AMR and its impact on the SDGs is a multifaceted challenge that demands comprehensive and collaborative solutions on a global scale.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11484313/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142463124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen A Grépin, Mingqi Song, Julianne Piper, Catherine Z Worsnop, Kelley Lee
{"title":"The adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive analysis.","authors":"Karen A Grépin, Mingqi Song, Julianne Piper, Catherine Z Worsnop, Kelley Lee","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01071-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01071-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe the adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To comprehensively analyze the measures adopted, we constructed a dataset based on the WHO's Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) database, which covered 252 countries, territories, or other areas (CTAs), including all 194 WHO Member States, from December 31, 2019, to December 31, 2020. We examined the adoption of measures by type, over time, and by the implementing and targeted CTA, including their levels of income.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>We identified 11,431 international travel measures implemented during the first year of the pandemic. The adoption of measures was rapid and widespread: over 60% of Member States had adopted a travel measure before the WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. Initially, health screening and travel restrictions were the most adopted measures; however, quarantine and testing became more widely adopted over time. Although only a small portion of the total measures adopted constituted full border closure, approximately half of all Member States implemented this measure. Many travel measures targeted all CTAs but were unlikely to have been adopted universally enough to provide public health benefits. Low-income countries relied more on more universal measures, including full border closure, and were slower in scaling up testing compared to higher-income countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic varied across jurisdictions and over time. Lower-income countries used a different mix and scaled-up measures slower than higher-income countries. Understanding what measures were used is crucial for assessing their effectiveness in controlling the spread of COVID-19, reviewing the usefulness of the International Health Regulations, and informing future pandemic preparedness and response activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11451053/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142375385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Munzer Alkhalil, Rim Turkmani, Mazen Gharibah, Preeti Patel, Zaki Mehchy
{"title":"Capturing sources of health system legitimacy in fragmented conflict zones under different governance models: a case study of northwest Syria.","authors":"Munzer Alkhalil, Rim Turkmani, Mazen Gharibah, Preeti Patel, Zaki Mehchy","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01074-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01074-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Legitimacy and trust are crucial for resilient health systems in fragmented conflict zones. This study evaluates the legitimacy of health systems in northwest Syria under different governance models.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a deductive and inductive mixed-methods approach, the research team developed a framework with an index, 4 sub-indices and 18 indicators to assess the legitimacy of health systems using different governance models - top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid - in the context of the response to the earthquake that hit Syria in February 2023. The study includes surveys, workshops, stakeholder consultations, and an expert panel conducted in northwest Syria and online.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate that bottom-up health governance model is perceived as the most legitimate, followed by the mixed model, while top-down model is perceived as the least legitimate. This preference is measured across all legitimacy source sub-indices, including legality, justification, consent and performance and across the overall Health System Legitimacy Index (HSLI). However, the hybrid governance approach showed limited superiority at two indicator levels regarding long-term health system response.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the importance of considering the legitimacy of the health system in fragmented conflict zones. It helps explain the effectiveness of the bottom-up approach and community-based governance in enhancing trust, cooperative behaviour, health interventions and achieving sustainability. Additionally, the study highlighted the role of legitimate health systems in practising civic virtue and promoting social justice, thus contributing to peace-building efforts. These insights are crucial for policymakers and development donors to strengthen health systems in challenging contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11451179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142371640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benjamin Wood, Chrissa Karouzakis, Katherine Sievert, Sven Gallasch, Gary Sacks
{"title":"Protecting whose welfare? A document analysis of competition regulatory decisions in four jurisdictions across three harmful consumer product industries.","authors":"Benjamin Wood, Chrissa Karouzakis, Katherine Sievert, Sven Gallasch, Gary Sacks","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01076-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01076-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and methods: </strong>Competition regulation has a strong influence on the relative market power of firms. As such, competition regulation can complement industry-specific measures designed to address harms associated with excessive market power in harmful consumer product industries. This study aimed to examine, through a public health lens, assessments and decisions made by competition authorities in four jurisdictions (Australia, South Africa, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU)) involving three harmful consumer product industries (alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tobacco). We analysed legal case documents, sourced from online public registers and dating back as far as the online records extended, using a narrative approach. Regulatory decisions and harms described by the authorities were inductively coded, focusing on the affected group(s) (e.g., consumers) and the nature of the harms (e.g., price increases) identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 359 cases published by competition authorities in Australia (n = 202), South Africa (n = 44), the US (n = 27), and the EU (n = 86). Most cases (n = 239) related to mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Competition authorities in Australia, the US, and the EU were found to make many decisions oriented towards increasing the affordability and accessibility of alcohol beverages, soft drinks, and tobacco products. Such decisions were very often made despite the presence of consumption-reduction public health policies. In comparison, South Africa's competition authorities routinely considered broader issues, including 'Black Economic Empowerment' and potential harms to workers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Many of the competition regulatory decisions assessed likely facilitated the concentration of market power in the industries we explored. Nevertheless, there appears to be potential for competition regulatory frameworks to play a more prominent role in promoting and protecting the public's health through tighter regulation of excessive market power in harmful consumer product industries.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11448300/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142365048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristina Canova, Lucia Dansero, Cinzia Destefanis, Clara Benna, Isabella Rosato
{"title":"Assessing the health status of migrants upon arrival in Europe: a systematic review of the adverse impact of migration journeys.","authors":"Cristina Canova, Lucia Dansero, Cinzia Destefanis, Clara Benna, Isabella Rosato","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01075-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01075-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Numerous studies have explored the impact of pre- and post-migration factors on the overall health of migrant populations. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding of additional determinants affecting migrants' health by examining the impact of the migration phase and related journeys in the European context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic review of studies published in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases from 2003 up to January 5, 2024. We included observational studies reporting information on the health status of migrant populations recorded upon arrival in a country situated in Europe, and on the transit phase, including specific risk factors experienced during the journey or its characteristics. Title and abstract screening were performed using active learning techniques provided by ASReview software. The results of the included studies were presented qualitatively, with a focus on publications that formally assessed the association between the journey and the investigated health outcomes. The systematic review was registered on PROSPERO, CRD42024513421.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 11,370 records screened, we ultimately included 25 studies, all conducted since 2017. Most adopted a cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach, with relatively small sample sizes. The majority of the studies were conducted in Serbia and Italy. Only 14 of them formally assessed the association between different exposures in the transit phase and health outcomes, including mental health, well-being and quality of life, infectious and non-communicable diseases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Epidemiological research focusing on the transit phase in Europe remains limited, with few available studies facing challenges related to data collection, study design and analysis, thereby limiting the interpretability and generalisability of their results. These findings underscore the need for action, prompting the development of adequate and feasible strategies to conduct additional studies focusing on migrant populations during migration journeys.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11438409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142345084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simone Wahnschafft, Achim Spiller, Beatriz Andrea Graciano
{"title":"How can advocates leverage power to advance comprehensive regulation on ultra-processed foods? learning from advocate experience in Argentina","authors":"Simone Wahnschafft, Achim Spiller, Beatriz Andrea Graciano","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01069-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01069-1","url":null,"abstract":"The use of corporate power to undermine public health policy processes is increasingly well understood; however, relatively little scholarship examines how advocates can leverage power to promote the successful adoption of public health policies. The objective of this paper is to explore how advocates leveraged three forms of power – structural, instrumental and discursive – to promote the passage of the Promotion of Healthy Eating Law (Ley 27,642) in Argentina, one of the most comprehensive policies to introduce mandatory front-of-package (FOP) warning labels and regulate the marketing and sales of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) adopted to date. We conducted seventeen semi-structured interviews with advocates from different sectors, including civil society, international agencies, and government. Both data collection and analysis were guided by Milsom’s conceptual framework for analyzing power in public health policymaking, and the data was analyzed using hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Advocates harnessed structural power through the leveraging of revolving doors, informal alliances, and formal coalitions, enabling them to convene discussion spaces with decision-makers, make strategic use of limited resources, and cultivate the diverse expertise (e.g., research, nutrition science, advocacy, law, political science, activism and communications) needed to support the law through different phases of the policy process. Advocates wielded instrumental power by amassing an armada of localized evidence to promote robust policy design, building technical literacy amongst themselves and decision-makers, and exposing conflicts of interest to harness public pressure. Advocates exercised discursive power by adopting a rights-based discourse, including of children and adolescents and of consumers to transparent information, which enabled advocates to foster a favorable perception of the law amongst both decision-makers and the public. Key contextual enablers include a political window of opportunity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ability to learn from the regional precedent of similar policies. Public health policymaking, particularly when encroaching upon corporate interests, is characterized by stark imbalances of power that hinder policy decisions. The strategies identified in the case of Argentina provide important insights as to how advocates might harness and exercise structural, instrumental, and discursive power to counter corporate influence and promote the successful adoption of comprehensive UPF regulation.","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"311 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142219383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha J. Ackary, Patrik James DL. Cabrera, Alen Josef A. Santiago, Gianna Gayle H. Amul
{"title":"An analysis of flavor descriptors on tobacco products in the Philippines: Regulatory implications and lessons for low- and middle-income countries","authors":"Samantha J. Ackary, Patrik James DL. Cabrera, Alen Josef A. Santiago, Gianna Gayle H. Amul","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01072-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01072-6","url":null,"abstract":"Historically, tobacco companies have used flavored tobacco products to enhance the appeal of tobacco consumption, encourage initiation and experimentation of tobacco use, and contribute to sustained tobacco use. While flavored tobacco products are regulated in several countries, there is no existing regulation on flavored tobacco products in the Philippines, specifically for cigarettes and cigars. This study aims to update evidence on the flavored tobacco product landscape in the Philippines by assessing both the flavor descriptors and flavor imagery featured on cigarette and cigar packaging. We collected 106 cigarette and cigar products from four major cities in the National Capital Region, Balanced Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Of these 106 cigarette and cigar products, 62 (58.49%) had flavor descriptors. Three crushable capsule products did not feature any flavor descriptor but were included for flavor imagery examination. We identified five categories of flavor descriptors: menthol, concept descriptors, tobacco, beverages, and other flavors. Out of 62 packs, ten featured more than one flavor descriptor on the packaging. Menthol flavor descriptors comprised the majority of flavor descriptors. Imagery and other graphic elements closely resonate with and enhance the flavor descriptors found on these packs. This study aimed to update the evidence on the flavored tobacco product landscape in the Philippines and address their absence of regulation. Regulating flavored tobacco products requires a comprehensive policy approach complemented by complete enforcement. Flavor substances, flavor descriptors, and flavor imagery must be regulated altogether; however, it is ideal to enforce a ban on flavored tobacco products in compliance with the WHO FCTC, to which the Philippines is a signatory. Policymakers should consider plain packaging as an intervention to eliminate the appeals associated with flavored tobacco products.","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142219384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan Rogers Van Katwyk, Mathieu J P Poirier, Sujith J Chandy, Kim Faure, Caitlin Fisher, Guillaume Lhermie, Arshnee Moodley, Satyajit Sarkar, Masika Sophie, Kayla Strong, Isaac Weldon, Steven J Hoffman
{"title":"1-10-100: Unifying goals to mobilize global action on antimicrobial resistance.","authors":"Susan Rogers Van Katwyk, Mathieu J P Poirier, Sujith J Chandy, Kim Faure, Caitlin Fisher, Guillaume Lhermie, Arshnee Moodley, Satyajit Sarkar, Masika Sophie, Kayla Strong, Isaac Weldon, Steven J Hoffman","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01070-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01070-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Bellagio Group for Accelerating AMR Action met in April 2024 to develop the ambitious but achievable 1-10-100 unifying goals to galvanize global policy change and investments for antimicrobial resistance mitigation: 1 Health; 10 million lives saved; and 100% sustainable access to effective antimicrobials. High profile political goals such as the Paris Agreement's objective to keep global warming well below 2° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, UNAIDS' 90-90-90 goal, and the Sustainable Development Goals challenge global norms, direct attention towards relevant activities, and serve an energizing function to motivate action over an extended period of time. The 1-10-100 unifying goals propose to unite the world through a One Health approach to safeguard human health, animal welfare, agrifood systems, and the environment from the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microbes and infections; save over 10 million lives by 2040 through concerted efforts to prevent and appropriately treat infections while preserving the vital systems and services that depend on sustained antimicrobial effectiveness; and commit to ensuring that antimicrobials are available and affordable for all, used prudently, and secured for the future through innovation. Compared to existing technical targets, these unifying goals offer advantages of focusing on prevention, encouraging multisectoral action and collaboration, promoting health equity, recognizing the need for innovation, and integrating with Sustainable Development Goals. By committing to 1 Health, 10 million lives saved, and 100% sustainable access to effective antimicrobials, we can protect lives and livelihoods today and safeguard options for tomorrow.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11348599/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142072566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicaise Ndembi, Nebiyu Dereje, Justice Nonvignon, Merawi Aragaw, Tajudeen Raji, Mosoka Papa Fallah, Mohammed Abdulaziz, Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Aggrey Aluso, Yap Boum Ii, Gwen Mwaba, Olive Shisana, Ngashi Ngongo, Jean Kaseya
{"title":"Financing pandemic prevention, preparedness and response: lessons learned and perspectives for future.","authors":"Nicaise Ndembi, Nebiyu Dereje, Justice Nonvignon, Merawi Aragaw, Tajudeen Raji, Mosoka Papa Fallah, Mohammed Abdulaziz, Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Aggrey Aluso, Yap Boum Ii, Gwen Mwaba, Olive Shisana, Ngashi Ngongo, Jean Kaseya","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01066-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01066-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The attainment of global health security goals and universal health coverage will remain a mirage unless African health systems are adequately funded to improve resilience to public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the global inequity in accessing medical countermeasures, leaving African countries far behind. As we anticipate the next pandemic, improving investments in health systems to adequately finance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR) promptly, ensuring equity and access to medical countermeasures, is crucial. In this article, we analyze the African and global pandemic financing initiatives and put ways forward for policymakers and the global health community to consider.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This article is based on a rapid literature review and desk review of various PPPR financing mechanisms in Africa and globally. Consultation of leaders and experts in the area and scrutinization of various related meeting reports and decisions have been carried out.</p><p><strong>Main text: </strong>The African Union (AU) has demonstrated various innovative financing mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of public health emergencies in the continent. To improve equal access to the COVID-19 medical countermeasures, the AU launched Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) and Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT). These financing initiatives were instrumental in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 and their lessons can be capitalized as we make efforts for PPPR. The COVID-19 Response Fund, subsequently converted into the African Epidemics Fund (AEF), is another innovative financing mechanism to ensure sustainable and self-reliant PPPR efforts. The global initiatives for financing PPPR include the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) and the Pandemic Fund. The PEF was criticized for its inadequacy in building resilient health systems, primarily because the fund ignored the prevention and preparedness items. The Pandemic Fund is also being criticized for its suboptimal emphasis on the response aspect of the pandemic and non-inclusive governance structure.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To ensure optimal financing for PPPR, we call upon the global health community and decision-makers to focus on the harmonization of financing efforts for PPPR, make regional financing mechanisms central to global PPPR financing efforts, and ensure the inclusivity of international finance governance systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"65"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11337782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142016943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gideon Towett, R Sterling Snead, Julia Marczika, Isaac Prada
{"title":"Discursive framework for a multi-disease digital health passport in Africa: a perspective.","authors":"Gideon Towett, R Sterling Snead, Julia Marczika, Isaac Prada","doi":"10.1186/s12992-024-01067-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12992-024-01067-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Africa's dual burden of rising incidence of infectious diseases and increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, demands innovative approaches to disease surveillance, response, and cross-border health management in response to growing economic integration and global connectivity. In this context, we propose a discursive framework for the development and implementation of a multi-disease digital health passport (MDDHP) in Africa. The MDDHP would serve as a secure platform for storing and sharing individual health data, offering a comprehensive solution to track and respond to infectious diseases, facilitate the management of NCDs, and improve healthcare access across borders. Empowering individuals to proactively manage their health and improve overall outcomes is a key aspect of the MDDHP. In the paper, we examine the key elements necessary to effectively implement MDDHP, focusing on minimizing risks, maintaining efficacy, and driving its adoption while also taking into consideration the unique contexts of the continent. The paper is intended to provide an understanding of the key principles involved and contribute to the discussion on the development and successful implementation of MDDHP in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":12747,"journal":{"name":"Globalization and Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"64"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11337601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142008670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}