What Biden's Presidency Will Mean for Cancer.

As vice president, Joe Biden was the cancer advocate-in-chief. As president, he has a different public health crisis to deal with-COVID-19-but given Biden's passion for cancer research, many expect he will build on the previous Moonshot initiative with another push to accelerate the pace of progress in cancer control.

Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe the process and outcome of the first National Health Research Agenda for Lao PDR and how the agenda contributes to institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health, in order to contribute to evidence-informed public health policy making. METHOD: This activity used a mixed-methods approach. The overall design is based on principles of the interactive Learning and Action approach and consists out of 6 phases: (1) identification of needs, (2) shared analysis and integration, (3) nation-wide prioritization of research domains, (4) exploring specific research questions, (5) prioritization of research avenues, (6) dialogue and planning for action. The process involved interviews with experts in health policy and research (n = 42), telephone-based survey with district, provincial and national health staff (n = 135), a two-round Delphi consultation with experts in health policy and research (n = 33), and a workshop with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society (n = 45) were held to gather data and conduct shared analysis. RESULTS: 11 research domains were identified and prioritised: Health-seeking behaviour; Health system research; Health service provision; Mother and child health (MCH); Sexual & reproductive health; Health education; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs); Irrational drug use; Communicable diseases (CDs); Road traffic accidents; Mental health. Within these domains over 200 unique research questions were identified. CONCLUSION: Our approach led to a comprehensive, inclusive, public health agenda for Lao PDR to realise better informed health policies. Questions on the agenda are action-oriented, originating in a desire to understand the problem so that immediate improvements can be made. The agenda is used within the MoH as a tool to fund and approve research.

Oferta de programas para el desarrollo integral de la primera infancia en Chile: revisión exploratoria / Program offer for the integral development of early childhood in Chile: scoping review

OBJETIVO: Describir la oferta programática en primera infancia destinada a favorecer el desarrollo infantil integral en Chile. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión exploratoria siguiendo el marco método lógico del Joanna Briggs Institute. La búsqueda fue realizada por un investigador y los criterios de inclusión fueron: programas gubernamentales destinados al desarrollo integral en menores de 5 años en Chile. Los datos fueron organizados y sintetizados para describir características del programa y de la o las prestaciones que entrega. RESULTADOS: La búsqueda identificó 2060 documentos y 72 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Se describen 59 programas vigentes que abarcan la primera infancia, es tando principalmente a cargo de los Ministerio de Justicia, Educación, Salud y Desarrollo Social. Los programas están destinados en su mayoría a la promoción e intervención, se encuentran focalizados en población vulnerable, son intersectoriales y utilizan diversas estrategias para su implementación. CONCLUSIÓN: La oferta programática en Chile para la primera infancia presenta características sugeridas como efectivas para favorecer el desarrollo infantil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the program offering designed to promote comprehensive early childhood de velopment in Chile. METHOD: A scoping review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological framework. A researcher conducted the review considering as inclusion criteria go vernment programs aimed at the comprehensive development of children under 5 years of age in Chile. The data were organized and synthesized to describe the characteristics of the program and the service(s) it provides. RESULTS: The search identified 2.060 documents and 72 met the inclusion crite ria. 59 current programs are covering early childhood, which are mainly managed by the Ministries of Justice, Education, Health, and Social Development. Most of the programs are aimed at promotion and intervention, focusing on vulnerable populations, are cross-sectoral, and use different strategies for their implementation. CONCLUSION: The program offering in Chile for early childhood has charac teristics suggested as effective to promote child development.

Global health systems partnerships: a mixed methods analysis of Mozambique's HPV vaccine delivery network actors.

BACKGROUND: Global health partnerships have expanded exponentially in the last two decades with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance considered the model's pioneer and leader because of its vaccination programs' implementation mechanism. Gavi, relies on diverse domestic and international partners to carry out the programs in low- and middle-income countries under a partnership engagement framework (PEF). In this study, we utilized mixed methods to examine Mozambique's Gavi driven partnership network which delivered human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during the demonstration phase. METHODS: Qualitative tools gauged contextual factors, prerequisites, partner performance and practices while a social network analysis (SNA) survey measured the partnership structure and perceived added value in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and country ownership. Forty key informants who were interviewed included frontline Ministry of Health workers, Ministry of Education staff and supporting partner organization members, of whom 34 participated in the social network analysis survey. RESULTS: Partnership structure SNA connectivity measurement scores of reachability (100%) and average distance (2.5), were high, revealing a network of very well-connected HPV vaccination implementation collaborators. Such high scores reflect a network structure favorable for rapid and widespread diffusion of information, features necessary for engaging and handling multiple implementation scales. High SNA effectiveness and efficiency measures for structural holes (85%) and low redundancy (30%) coupled with high mean perceived effectiveness (97.6%) and efficiency (79.5%) network outcome scores were observed. Additionally, the tie strength average score of 4.1 on a scale of 5 denoted high professional trust. These are all markers of a collaborative partnership environment in which disparate institutions and organizations leveraged each entity's comparative advantage. Lower perceived outcome scores for country ownership (24%) were found, with participants citing the prominent role of several out-of-country partner organizations as a major obstacle. CONCLUSIONS: While there is room for improvement on the country ownership aspects of the partnership, the expanded, diverse and inclusive collaboration of institutions and organizations that implemented the Mozambique HPV vaccine demonstration project was effective and efficient. We recommend that the country adapt a similar model during national scale up of HPV vaccination.

"[Repeat] testing and counseling is one of the key [services] that the government should continue providing": participants' perceptions on extended repeat HIV testing and enhanced counseling (ERHTEC) for primary HIV prevention in pregnant and lactating women in the PRIMAL study, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: The 'Primary HIV Prevention among Pregnant and Lactating Ugandan Women' (PRIMAL) randomized controlled trial aimed to assess an enhanced counseling strategy linked to extended postpartum repeat HIV testing and enhanced counseling among 820 HIV-negative pregnant and lactating women aged 18-49 years and 410 of their male partners to address the first pillar of the WHO Global Strategy for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV transmission (PMTCT). This paper presents findings of qualitative studies aimed at evaluating participants' and service providers' perceptions on the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and at understanding the effects of the intervention on risk reduction, couple communication, and emotional support from women's partners. METHODS: PRIMAL Study participants were enrolled from two antenatal care clinics and randomized 1:1 to an intervention or control arm. Both arms received repeat sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV testing at enrolment, labor and delivery, and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postpartum. The intervention consisted of enhanced quarterly counseling on HIV risk reduction, couple communication, family planning and nutrition delivered by study counselors through up to 24 months post-partum. Control participants received repeat standard post-test counseling. Qualitative data were collected from intervention women participants, counsellors and midwives at baseline, midline and end of the study through 18 focus group discussions and 44 key informant interviews. Data analysis followed a thematic approach using framework analysis and a matrix-based system for organizing, reducing, and synthesizing data. RESULTS: At baseline, FGD participants mentioned multiple sexual partners and lack of condom use as the main risks for pregnant and lactating women to acquire HIV. The main reasons for having multiple sexual partners were 1) the cultural practice not to have sex in the late pre-natal and early post-natal period; 2) increased sexual desire during pregnancy; 3) alcohol abuse; 4) poverty; and 5) conflict in couples. Consistent condom use at baseline was limited due to lack of knowledge and low acceptance of condom use in couples. The majority of intervention participants enrolled as couples felt enhanced counselling improved understanding, faithfulness, mutual support and appreciation within their couple. Another benefit mentioned by participants was improvement of couple communication and negotiation, as well as daily decision-making around sexual needs, family planning and condom use. Participants stressed the importance of providing counselling services to all couples. CONCLUSION: This study shows that enhanced individual and couple counselling linked to extended repeat HIV and STI testing and focusing on HIV prevention, couple communication, family planning and nutrition is a feasible and acceptable intervention that could enhance risk reduction programs among pregnant and lactating women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT01882998, date of registration 21st June 2013.

Mecanismos de ingresso de dentistas no SUS: uma agenda prioritária para o fortalecimento do Brasil Sorridente / Admission of dentist in Brazilian Universal Health System (SUS): a priority agenda for the strengthening of Smiling Brazil

Resumo Este artigo objetiva i) descrever e analisar a expansão do provimento de dentistas no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS); ii) identificar e analisar as características do vínculo trabalhista dos dentistas com o serviço; iii) caracterizar as vagas em concurso público, no que se refere aos requisitos, atribuições e remuneração. Neste estudo de caso, descritivo, foram consultados bancos de dados do Ministério da Saúde e editais de concurso público. Os achados apontam que 48% dos dentistas cadastrados no Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) realizam atendimento no SUS, em 13 anos observou-se um aumento de 118% dos municípios com equipes de saúde bucal (eSB) implantadas. A cobertura populacional estimada pelas eSB aumentou 10,46% entre os anos de 2007 e 2015. O principal mecanismo de ingresso nos Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) foi o concurso público. O salário na atenção primária variou de 1,05 a 12,67 salários mínimos, para cargos de 40 horas semanais e nos CEOs de 3,35 a 7,05. Conclui-se que é necessário, entre outras medidas, o planejamento de estratégias voltadas aos recursos humanos em saúde. A continuidade dos êxitos alcançados demanda que medidas regulatórias dos contratos de trabalho e apoio aos gestores entrem na agenda das ações da política em saúde bucal.

Abstract This article aims at: i) describing and analyzing the expansion of dental care in the Unified Health System (SUS); ii) Identifying and analyzing the characteristics of hiring dentists' in the public service; iii) characterizing public vacancies, their duties and remuneration. In this descriptive case study, databases of the Ministry of Health were consulted and public tender notices. The findings indicate that 48% of the dentists enrolled in the National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES) perform care in the SUS, in 13 years there was an increase of 118% of the municipalities with oral health teams (eSB) implanted. The population coverage estimated by eSB increased by 10.46% between the years 2007 and 2015. The main mechanism for joining the Dental Specialties Centers (CEO) was the public tender. Primary care salaries ranged from 1.05 to 12.67 Brazilian minimum wages, to 40-hour weekly jobs, and to CEOs from 3.35 to 7.05. It is concluded that, among other measures, the planning of HRH strategies is necessary. The continuity of successes regulatory measures of labor contracts and support to local managers enter the agenda of priority actions of oral health policy.

Mexico: Health System Review.

This analysis of the Mexican health system reviews recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. The Mexican health system consists of three main components operating in parallel: 1) employment-based social insurance schemes, 2) public assistance services for the uninsured supported by a financial protection scheme, and 3) a private sector composed of service providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors. The social insurance schemes are managed by highly centralized national institutions while coverage for the uninsured is operated by both state and federal authorities and providers. The largest social insurance institution - the Mexican Social Insurance Institute (IMSS) - is governed by a corporatist arrangement, which reflects the political realities of the 1940s rather than the needs of the 21st century. National health spending has grown in recent years but is lower than the Latin America and Caribbean average and considerably lower than the OECD average in 2015. Public spending accounts for 58% of total financing, with private contributions being mostly comprised of out-of-pocket spending. The private sector, while regulated by the government, mostly operates independently. Mexico's health system delivers a wide range of health care services; however, nearly 14% of the population lacks financial protection, while the insured are mostly enrolled in diverse public schemes which provide varying benefits packages. Private sector services are in high demand given insufficient resources among most public institutions and the lack of voice by the insured to ensure the fulfilment of entitlements. Furthermore, the system faces challenges with obesity, diabetes, violence, as well as with health inequity. Recognizing the inequities in access created by its segmented structure, both civil society and government are calling for greater integration of service delivery across public institutions, although no consensus yet exists as to how to bring this about.

Análise de redes na regulação do tratamento do câncer do aparelho digestivo / Network analysis of the regulation of gastrointestinal cancer treatment / Análisis de redes en la regulación del tratamiento del cáncer del aparato digestivo

Resumo: A alta complexidade é componente fundamental da Política Nacional para a Prevenção e Controle do Câncer no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro. Tem como obrigação garantir cuidado integral aos pacientes. A regulação é parte da estrutura organizacional, sendo responsável por definir os fluxos de atendimento. No Rio de Janeiro, a Central de Regulação iniciou as atividades em junho de 2015, organizando procedimentos ambulatoriais de alta complexidade. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o deslocamento para o tratamento de pessoas com tumores digestivos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, antes e após a atuação da regulação, sob a perspectiva da Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS). Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico, comparando os períodos anterior (2013) e posterior (2016) à implantação da central reguladora. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida com a utilização de dados secundários provenientes do Departamento de Informática do SUS. Desse modo, foram desenhados dois sociogramas referentes aos anos 2013 e 2016, relacionando local de residência com local de internação. Com essa abordagem foi possível identificar algumas mudanças na dinâmica das relações entre as microrregiões do estado após a implantação da regulação. As microrregiões que apresentam estabelecimentos de Alta Complexidade em Oncologia exibiram um incremento no número de internações no segundo ano estudado. Observa-se ainda que a microrregião Rio de Janeiro mantém centralidade de grau nos dois momentos. A utilização da ARS para a avaliação de políticas públicas pode trazer uma importante contribuição para planejamento e gestão em saúde.

Abstract: High complexity is a fundamental component of Brazil's National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control under the Unified National Health System (SUS). The policy mandates guaranteeing comprehensive patient care. Regulation is part of the organizational structure and is responsible for defining treatment flows. In Rio de Janeiro, the Central Regulating Office launched its activities in June 2015, organizing high-complexity outpatient procedures. The current study aims to analyze commuting for treatment by individuals with gastrointestinal tumors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, before and after the implementation of regulation, from the perspective of Social Network Analysis. This ecological study compared the periods before (2013) and after (2016) implementation of the Central Regulating Office. The study drew on secondary data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department. Two sociograms were designed for the years 2013 and 2016, correlating place of residence with place of hospitalization. This approach allowed identifying some changes in the dynamics of relations between the state's microregions after implementation of the regulation. The microregions with high-complexity oncology establishments displayed an increase in the number of hospitalizations in 2016. The microregion of Rio de Janeiro also maintained degree centrality in the two moments. The use of Social Network Analysis to assess public policies can contribute to health planning and management.

Resumen: La alta complejidad es un componente fundamental de la Política Nacional para la Prevención y Control del Cáncer en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño. Tiene como obligación garantizar el cuidado integral a los pacientes. La regulación es parte de la estructura organizacional, siendo responsable de definir los flujos de atención. En Río de Janeiro, la Central de Regulación inició sus actividades en junio de 2015, organizando procedimientos ambulatorios de alta complejidad. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el desplazamiento para el tratamiento de personas con tumores digestivos en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, antes y después de la actuación de la regulación, desde la perspectiva del Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS). Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico, comparando los períodos anterior (2013) y posterior (2016) a la implementación de la central reguladora. La investigación fue desarrollada con la utilización de datos secundarios provenientes del Departamento de Informática del SUS. De este modo, se diseñaron dos sociogramas referentes a los años 2013 y 2016, relacionando lugar de residencia con local de internamiento. Con este abordaje fue posible identificar algunos cambios en la dinámica de las relaciones entre las microrregiones del Estado tras la implementación de la regulación. Las microrregiones que presentan establecimientos de Alta Complejidad en Oncología mostraron un incremento en el número de internamientos en el segundo año estudiado. Se observa incluso que la microrregión Río de Janeiro mantiene centralidad de nivel/grado en los dos momentos. La utilización de la ARS para la evaluación de políticas públicas puede conllevar una importante contribución para la planificación y gestión en salud.

Political priority and pathways to scale-up of childhood cancer care in five nations.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing global attention to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their incorporation into universal health coverage (UHC), the factors that determine whether and how NCDs are prioritized in national health agendas and integrated into health systems remain poorly understood. Childhood cancer is a leading non-communicable cause of death in children aged 0-14 years worldwide. We investigated the political, social, and economic factors that influence health system priority-setting on childhood cancer care in a range of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS AND FINDINGS: Based on in-depth qualitative case studies, we analyzed the determinants of priority-setting for childhood cancer care in El Salvador, Guatemala, Ghana, India, and the Philippines using a conceptual framework that considers four principal influences on political prioritization: political contexts, actor power, ideas, and issue characteristics. Data for the analysis derived from in-depth interviews (n = 68) with key informants involved in or impacted by childhood cancer policies and programs in participating countries, supplemented by published academic literature and available policy documents. Political priority for childhood cancer varies widely across the countries studied and is most influenced by political context and actor power dynamics. Ghana has placed relatively little national priority on childhood cancer, largely due to competing priorities and a lack of cohesion among stakeholders. In both El Salvador and Guatemala, actor power has played a central role in generating national priority for childhood cancer, where well-organized and -resourced civil society organizations have disrupted legacies of fragmented governance and financing to create priority for childhood cancer care. In India, the role of a uniquely empowered private actor was instrumental in creating political priority and establishing sustained channels of financing for childhood cancer care. In the Philippines, the childhood cancer community has capitalized on a window of opportunity to expand access and reduce disparities in childhood cancer care through the political prioritization of UHC and NCDs in current health system reforms. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of key health system actors in determining the relative political priority for childhood cancer in the countries studied points to actor power as a critical enabler of prioritization in other LMIC. Responsiveness to political contexts-in particular, rhetorical and policy priority placed on NCDs and UHC-will be crucial to efforts to place childhood cancer firmly on national health agendas. National governments must be convinced of the potential for foundational health system strengthening through attention to childhood cancer care, and the presence and capability of networked actors primed to amplify public sector investments and catalyze change on the ground.

Brazil's unified health system: the first 30 years and prospects for the future.

In 1988, the Brazilian Constitution defined health as a universal right and a state responsibility. Progress towards universal health coverage in Brazil has been achieved through a unified health system (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]), created in 1990. With successes and setbacks in the implementation of health programmes and the organisation of its health system, Brazil has achieved nearly universal access to health-care services for the population. The trajectory of the development and expansion of the SUS offers valuable lessons on how to scale universal health coverage in a highly unequal country with relatively low resources allocated to health-care services by the government compared with that in middle-income and high-income countries. Analysis of the past 30 years since the inception of the SUS shows that innovations extend beyond the development of new models of care and highlights the importance of establishing political, legal, organisational, and management-related structures, with clearly defined roles for both the federal and local governments in the governance, planning, financing, and provision of health-care services. The expansion of the SUS has allowed Brazil to rapidly address the changing health needs of the population, with dramatic upscaling of health service coverage in just three decades. However, despite its successes, analysis of future scenarios suggests the urgent need to address lingering geographical inequalities, insufficient funding, and suboptimal private sector-public sector collaboration. Fiscal policies implemented in 2016 ushered in austerity measures that, alongside the new environmental, educational, and health policies of the Brazilian government, could reverse the hard-earned achievements of the SUS and threaten its sustainability and ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate of providing health care for all.

The child survival impact of the Ghana Essential Health Interventions Program: A health systems strengthening plausibility trial in Northern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with partner institutions implemented a five-year primary health systems strengthening program known as the Ghana Essential Health Intervention Program (GEHIP). GEHIP was a plausibility trial implemented in an impoverished region of northern Ghana around the World Health Organizations (WHO) six pillars combined with community engagement, leadership development and grassroots political support, the program organized a program of training and action focused on strategies for saving newborn lives and community-engaged emergency referral services. This paper analyzes the effect of the GEHIP program on child survival. METHODS: Birth history data assembled from baseline and endline surveys are used to assess the hazard of child mortality in GEHIP treatment and comparison areas prior to and after the start of treatment. Difference-in-differences (DiD) methods are used to compare mortality change over time among children exposed to GEHIP relative to children in the comparison area over the same time period. Models test the hypothesis that a package of systems strengthening activities improved childhood survival. Models adjusted for the potentially confounding effects of baseline differentials, secular mortality trends, household characteristics such as relative wealth and parental educational attainment, and geographic accessibility of clinical care. RESULTS: The GEHIP combination of health systems strengthening activities reduced neonatal mortality by approximately one half (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28,0.98, p = 0.045). There was a null incremental effect of GEHIP on mortality of post-neonate infants (from 1 to 12 months old) (HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.30,1.79; p = 0.480) and post-infants (from 1 year to 5 years old) -(HR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.55-1.90; p = 0.940). Age-specific analyses show that impact was concentrated among neonates. However, effect ratios for post-infancy were inefficiently assessed owing to extensive survival history censoring for the later months of childhood. Children were observed only rarely for periods over 40 months of age. CONCLUSION: GEHIP results show that a comprehensive approach to newborn care is feasible, if care is augmented by community-based nurses. It supports the assertion that if appropriate mechanisms are put in place to enable the various pillars of the health system as espoused by WHO in rural impoverished settings where childhood mortality is high, it could lead to accelerated reductions in mortality thereby increasing survival of children. Policy implications of the pronounced neonatal effect of GEHIP merit national review for possible scale-up.

Lessons from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

To facilitate the policy response to noncommunicable diseases in Thailand, parliament adopted the Health Promotion Foundation Act in 2001. This Act led to the establishment of an autonomous government body, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, called ThaiHealth. The foundation receives its revenue from a 2% surcharge of excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol. The fund supports evidence generation, campaigns and social mobilization to address noncommunicable disease risk factors, such as tobacco-use, harmful use of alcohol and sedentary behaviour. On average, its annual revenue is 120 million United States dollars (US$). Some notable ThaiHealth-supported public campaigns are for schools free of sweetened carbonated beverages; alcohol abstinence during three-month Buddhist lent; and nationwide physical activity. The percentage of people using tobacco decreased from 22.5% in 2001 to 18.2% in 2014. The annual per capita alcohol consumption decreased from 8.1 litres pure alcohol in 2005 to 6.9 litres in 2014. The percentage of the adult population doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes high-intensity aerobic exercise per week, increased from 66.3% in 2012 to 72.9% in 2017. A dedicated funding mechanism, a transparent and accountable organization, and the engagement of civil society organizations and other government agencies have enabled ThaiHealth to run these campaigns.

Afin de soutenir l'action politique concernant les maladies non transmissibles en Thaïlande, le Parlement a adopté une loi sur la Fondation pour la promotion de la santé en 2001. Cette loi a conduit à l'établissement d'un organisme gouvernemental autonome, la Fondation thaïlandaise pour la promotion de la santé, appelé « ThaiHealth ¼. Cette fondation tire ses revenus d'une majoration de 2% des taxes d'accise sur le tabac et l'alcool. Ces fonds soutiennent la production de données, l'organisation de campagnes et la mobilisation sociale pour agir sur les facteurs de risque de maladie non transmissible, tels que la consommation de tabac, la consommation nocive d'alcool et le comportement sédentaire. Le revenu annuel moyen de ThaiHealth s'élève à 120 millions de dollars des États-Unis. Certaines campagnes publiques importantes financées par ThaiHealth prônent l'élimination des boissons gazeuses sucrées dans les écoles, la privation d'alcool pendant les trois mois de la retraite de la saison des pluies, et l'activité physique dans tout le pays. Le pourcentage des fumeurs de tabac est passé de 22,5% en 2001 à 18,2% en 2014. La consommation annuelle d'alcool par habitant est passée de 8,1 litres d'alcool pur en 2005 à 6,9 litres en 2014. Le pourcentage de la population adulte faisant au moins 150 minutes d'exercices aérobiques modérément intenses ou 75 minutes d'exercices aérobiques très intenses par semaine est passé de 66,3% en 2012 à 72,9% en 2017. Un mécanisme de financement spécial, une organisation transparente et responsable, et l'engagement d'organisations de la société civile et d'autres agences gouvernementales ont permis à ThaiHealth de mener ces campagnes.

Para facilitar la respuesta política a las enfermedades no contagiosas en Tailandia, el Parlamento aprobó en 2001 la Ley de la Fundación para la promoción de la salud. Esta ley dio lugar a la creación del organismo gubernamental autónomo, la Fundación tailandesa para la promoción de la salud, denominada ThaiHealth. La fundación recibe ingresos de un recargo del 2 % de los impuestos especiales sobre el tabaco y el alcohol. El fondo apoya la generación de pruebas, las campañas y la movilización social para hacer frente a los factores de riesgo de las enfermedades no contagiosas, como el consumo de tabaco, el consumo nocivo de alcohol y los hábitos sedentarios. De media, sus ingresos anuales ascienden a 120 millones de dólares estadounidenses. Algunas de las campañas públicas que apoya ThaiHealth van dirigidas a sacar de las escuelas las bebidas con gas azucaradas, a la abstinencia del alcohol durante la cuaresma budista de tres meses y a fomentar la actividad física en todo el país. El porcentaje de personas que consumen tabaco disminuyó del 22,5 % en 2001 al 18,2 % en 2014. El consumo anual de alcohol per cápita disminuyó de 8,1 litros de alcohol puro en 2005 a 6,9 litros en 2014. El porcentaje de población adulta que hace al menos 150 minutos de ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada o 75 minutos de ejercicio aeróbico de alta intensidad por semana aumentó del 66,3 % en 2012 al 72,9 % en 2017. Un mecanismo de financiación específico, una organización transparente y responsable, así como la participación de organizaciones de la sociedad civil y otros organismos gubernamentales han permitido a ThaiHealth llevar a cabo estas campañas.

Countdown to 2030: eliminating hepatitis B disease, China.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. China has the world's largest burden of HBV infection and will be a major contributor towards the global elimination of hepatitis B disease by 2030. The country has made good progress in reducing incidence of HBV infection in the past three decades. The achievements are mainly due to high vaccination coverages among children and high coverage of timely birth-dose vaccine for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV (both > 95%). However, China still faces challenges in achieving its target of 65% reduction in mortality from hepatitis B by 2030. Based on targets of the World Health Organization's Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021, we highlight further priorities for action towards HBV elimination in China. To achieve the impact target of reduced mortality we suggest that the service coverage targets of diagnosis and treatment should be prioritized. First, improvements are needed in the diagnostic and treatment abilities of medical institutions and health workers. Second, the government needs to reduce the financial burden of health care on patients. Third, better coordination is needed across existing national programmes and resources to establish an integrated prevention and control system that covers prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of HBV infection across the life cycle. In this way, progress can be made towards achieving the target of eliminating hepatitis B in China by 2030.

Les infections par le virus de l'hépatite B (VHB) constituent un problème de santé publique majeur à l'échelle mondiale. La Chine est le pays le plus lourdement touché par les infections par le VHB et sa contribution sera donc essentielle pour atteindre l'objectif d'élimination de l'hépatite B dans le monde à l'horizon 2030. Au cours des trente dernières années, le pays a fait des progrès notables en matière de réduction de l'incidence des infections par le VHB. Ces avancées sont principalement dues aux forts niveaux de couverture vaccinale des enfants et d'administration de la dose vaccinale à la naissance visant à prévenir la transmission du VHB de la mère à l'enfant (>95% dans les deux cas). Néanmoins, la Chine doit encore relever des défis de taille pour atteindre l'objectif de réduction de 65% de la mortalité due à l'hépatite B d'ici à 2030. À partir des cibles définies dans la Stratégie mondiale du secteur de la santé contre l'hépatite virale, 2016-2021 de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé, nous avons identifié les actions à mener prioritairement en vue de l'élimination du VHB en Chine. Pour atteindre l'objectif de réduction de la mortalité, nous suggérons d'orienter en priorité les efforts sur l'amplification de la couverture des services de diagnostic et de traitement. Premièrement, des améliorations sont requises au niveau des capacités diagnostiques et de traitement des institutions médicales et des agents de santé. Deuxièmement, le gouvernement doit réduire la charge financière des soins de santé qui pèse sur les patients. Troisièmement, une meilleure coordination est nécessaire entre les ressources et les programmes nationaux existants, en vue d'établir un système intégré de prévention et de lutte englobant la prévention, le dépistage, le diagnostic et le traitement des infections par le VHB à tous les âges de la vie. De nouveaux progrès pourraient ainsi être faits en vue d'atteindre l'objectif d'élimination de l'hépatite B en Chine à l'horizon 2030.

La infección por el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) es un gran problema de sanidad pública en todo el mundo. China tiene la mayor carga de infección por VHB en el mundo y será uno de los principales contribuyentes a la eliminación mundial de la enfermedad de la hepatitis B para 2030. En las últimas tres décadas, el país ha hecho grandes progresos en la reducción de la incidencia de la infección por el VHB. Los logros se deben principalmente a la alta cobertura de vacunación entre los niños y a la alta cobertura de la vacuna de dosis oportuna al nacer para la prevención de la transmisión maternoinfantil del VHB (ambas > 95 %). Sin embargo, China sigue teniendo dificultades para alcanzar su objetivo de reducir en un 65 % la mortalidad por hepatitis B para 2030. Basados en los objetivos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud sobre la Estrategia global del sector sanitario para la hepatitis viral 2016-2021, destacamos otras prioridades de acción para la eliminación del VHB en China. Para lograr el objetivo de impacto de la reducción de la mortalidad, sugerimos que se prioricen los objetivos de cobertura de los servicios de diagnóstico y tratamiento. En primer lugar, es necesario mejorar la capacidad de diagnóstico y tratamiento de las instituciones médicas y los trabajadores sanitarios. En segundo lugar, el gobierno debe reducir la carga financiera de la atención sanitaria para los pacientes. En tercer lugar, se necesita una mejor coordinación entre los programas y recursos nacionales existentes para establecer un sistema integrado de prevención y control que abarque la prevención, el cribado, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la infección por VHB a lo largo de todo el ciclo de vida. De esta manera, se puede avanzar hacia el objetivo de eliminar la hepatitis B en China para 2030.

A learning health systems approach to improving the quality of care for patients in South Asia.

Poor quality of care is a leading cause of excess morbidity and mortality in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). Improving the quality of healthcare is complex, and requires an interdisciplinary team equipped with the skills to design, implement and analyse setting-relevant improvement interventions. Such capacity is limited in many LMICs. However, training for healthcare workers in quality improvement (QI) methodology without buy-in from multidisciplinary stakeholders and without identifying setting-specific priorities is unlikely to be successful. The Care Quality Improvement Network (CQIN) was established between Network for Improving Critical care Systems and Training (NICST) and University College London Centre for Perioperative Medicine, with the aim of building capacity for research and QI. A two-day international workshop, in collaboration with the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, was conducted to address the above deficits. Innovatively, the CQIN adopts a learning health systems (LHS) approach to improving care by leveraging information captured through the NICST electronic multi-centre acute and critical care surveillance platform. Fifty-two delegates from across the CQIN representing clinical, civic and academic healthcare stakeholders from six countries attended the workshop. Mapping of care processes enabled identification of barriers and drivers to the delivery of care and facilitated the selection of feasible QI methods and matrices. Six projects, reflecting key priorities for improving the delivery of acute care in Asia, were collaboratively developed: improving assessment of postoperative pain; optimising sedation in critical care; refining referral of deteriorating patients; reducing surgical site infection after caesarean section; reducing surgical site infection after elective general surgery; and improving provision of timely electrocardiogram recording for patients presenting with signs of acute myocardial infarction. Future project implementation and evaluation will be supported with resources and expertise from the CQIN partners. This LHS approach to building capacity for QI may be of interest to others seeing to improve care in LMICs.

Network influences on policy implementation: Evidence from a global health treaty.

This paper examines whether country implementation of a public health treaty is influenced by the implementation behaviors of other countries to which they have network ties. We examine implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) adopted by the World Health Organization in 2003 and ratified by approximately 94% of countries as of 2016. We constructed five networks: (1) geographic distance, (2) general trade, (3) tobacco trade, (4) GLOBALink referrals, and (5) GLOBALink co-subscriptions. Network exposure terms were constructed from these networks based on the implementation scores for six articles of the FCTC treaty. We estimate effects using a lagged Type 1 Tobit model. Results show that network effects were significant: (a) across all networks for article 6 (pricing and taxation), (b) distance, general trade, GL referrals, and GL co-subscriptions for article 8 (second hand smoke), (c) distance, general trade, and GL co-subscriptions for article 11 (packaging and labeling), and (d) distance and GL co-subscription for article 13 (promotion and advertising), (e) tobacco trade and GL co-subscriptions for article 14 (cessation). These results indicate that diffusion effects were more prevalent for pricing and taxation as well as restrictions on smoking in public places and packaging and labeling. These results suggest that network influences are possible in domains that are amenable to control by national governments but unlikely to occur in domains established by existing regulatory systems. Implications for future studies of policy implementation are discussed.

[Network analysis of the regulation of gastrointestinal cancer treatment]. / Análise de redes na regulação do tratamento do câncer do aparelho digestivo.

High complexity is a fundamental component of Brazil's National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control under the Unified National Health System (SUS). The policy mandates guaranteeing comprehensive patient care. Regulation is part of the organizational structure and is responsible for defining treatment flows. In Rio de Janeiro, the Central Regulating Office launched its activities in June 2015, organizing high-complexity outpatient procedures. The current study aims to analyze commuting for treatment by individuals with gastrointestinal tumors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, before and after the implementation of regulation, from the perspective of Social Network Analysis. This ecological study compared the periods before (2013) and after (2016) implementation of the Central Regulating Office. The study drew on secondary data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department. Two sociograms were designed for the years 2013 and 2016, correlating place of residence with place of hospitalization. This approach allowed identifying some changes in the dynamics of relations between the state's microregions after implementation of the regulation. The microregions with high-complexity oncology establishments displayed an increase in the number of hospitalizations in 2016. The microregion of Rio de Janeiro also maintained degree centrality in the two moments. The use of Social Network Analysis to assess public policies can contribute to health planning and management.

A alta complexidade é componente fundamental da Política Nacional para a Prevenção e Controle do Câncer no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro. Tem como obrigação garantir cuidado integral aos pacientes. A regulação é parte da estrutura organizacional, sendo responsável por definir os fluxos de atendimento. No Rio de Janeiro, a Central de Regulação iniciou as atividades em junho de 2015, organizando procedimentos ambulatoriais de alta complexidade. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o deslocamento para o tratamento de pessoas com tumores digestivos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, antes e após a atuação da regulação, sob a perspectiva da Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS). Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico, comparando os períodos anterior (2013) e posterior (2016) à implantação da central reguladora. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida com a utilização de dados secundários provenientes do Departamento de Informática do SUS. Desse modo, foram desenhados dois sociogramas referentes aos anos 2013 e 2016, relacionando local de residência com local de internação. Com essa abordagem foi possível identificar algumas mudanças na dinâmica das relações entre as microrregiões do estado após a implantação da regulação. As microrregiões que apresentam estabelecimentos de Alta Complexidade em Oncologia exibiram um incremento no número de internações no segundo ano estudado. Observa-se ainda que a microrregião Rio de Janeiro mantém centralidade de grau nos dois momentos. A utilização da ARS para a avaliação de políticas públicas pode trazer uma importante contribuição para planejamento e gestão em saúde.

La alta complejidad es un componente fundamental de la Política Nacional para la Prevención y Control del Cáncer en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño. Tiene como obligación garantizar el cuidado integral a los pacientes. La regulación es parte de la estructura organizacional, siendo responsable de definir los flujos de atención. En Río de Janeiro, la Central de Regulación inició sus actividades en junio de 2015, organizando procedimientos ambulatorios de alta complejidad. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el desplazamiento para el tratamiento de personas con tumores digestivos en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, antes y después de la actuación de la regulación, desde la perspectiva del Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS). Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico, comparando los períodos anterior (2013) y posterior (2016) a la implementación de la central reguladora. La investigación fue desarrollada con la utilización de datos secundarios provenientes del Departamento de Informática del SUS. De este modo, se diseñaron dos sociogramas referentes a los años 2013 y 2016, relacionando lugar de residencia con local de internamiento. Con este abordaje fue posible identificar algunos cambios en la dinámica de las relaciones entre las microrregiones del Estado tras la implementación de la regulación. Las microrregiones que presentan establecimientos de Alta Complejidad en Oncología mostraron un incremento en el número de internamientos en el segundo año estudiado. Se observa incluso que la microrregión Río de Janeiro mantiene centralidad de nivel/grado en los dos momentos. La utilización de la ARS para la evaluación de políticas públicas puede conllevar una importante contribución para la planificación y gestión en salud.

[Regional governance of the health system in Brazil: configurations of actors and the role of the Interagency Commissions]. / Governança regional do sistema de saúde no Brasil: configurações de atores e papel das Comissões Intergovernamentais.

The analytical focus is on the role of the Regional Interagency Commissions (CIR), considering the diversity of actors that influence health policy in specific regional contexts. The research involved conducting five case studies in each of the Brazilian macroregions, with the application of 128 questionnaires to public managers, service providers and civil society representatives, between August 2015 and August 2016. The comparative perspective was adopted, by considering three analytical approaches: the configuration of actors (governmental and non-governmental; public and private) on regional decisions and conflicts, operation dynamics and contributions of commissions to health system policy and organization. The results showed the diversity of actors with a high degree of influence in the regions and the role of the Regional Interagency Commissions in policy coordination and conflict resolution. The commissions favor interagency negotiation and the organization of the Unified Health System vis-à-vis the Brazilian federative structure. However, they have limited scope as a space for regional health governance and are unable to incorporate the different configurations of public and private actors with power and influence over health decisions.

O foco da análise é o papel exercido pelas Comissões Intergestores Regionais, considerando a diversidade de atores que influenciam a política de saúde em contextos regionais específicos. A pesquisa envolveu a realização de cinco estudos de caso em cada uma das macrorregiões brasileiras, com aplicação de 128 questionários a gestores, prestadores e representantes da sociedade civil, entre agosto de 2015 e agosto de 2016. Adotou-se a perspectiva comparada, considerando três eixos de análise: configurações de atores (governamentais e não governamentais; públicos e privados) nas decisões e conflitos regionais, dinâmica de funcionamento e atuação, e contribuições das comissões para a política e a organização do sistema de saúde. Verificou-se a diversidade de atores com alto grau de influência nas regiões e a função das Comissões Intergestores Regionais na coordenação das políticas e na resolução de conflitos. Estas favorecem a negociação intergovernamental e a organização do Sistema Único de Saúde frente à estrutura federativa brasileira. Contudo, possuem atuação limitada como espaço de governança regional da saúde, sendo incapazes de incorporar as diversas configurações de atores públicos e privados com poder e influência sobre as decisões de saúde.

Efectos del programa gubernamental vida sana en marcadores metabólicos y capacidad física en mujeres Chilenas / Effects of the government's healthy living program on metabolic markers and physical capacity in Chilean women

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar los efectos del plan gubernamental vida sana en marcadores metabólicos plasmáticos y capacidad física en mujeres sedentarias de Villa Alemana. Métodos Participaron 63 mujeres (41,2 ± 11,2 años) que fueron sometidas a 12 meses de intervención multi e inter-disciplinaria (médico, nutricionista, psicólogo(a) y profesor de educación física) (180 minutos de ejercicio por semana). En el análisis estadístico descriptivo se utilizaron la media y desviación estándar, la prueba T de muestras relacionadas se usó para determinar los efectos del programa, el nivel de significancia se estimó con un valor p<0,05. Resultados Se apreció una disminución en el colesterol total (p=0,003) y colesterol LDL (p=0,048), mejora en el test de 6 minutos (p=0,000) y número de sentadillas en treinta segundos (p=0,000) con un efecto positivo en el delta de recuperación de la frecuencia cardíaca (p=0,001). Conclusión La estrategia gubernamental produjo una disminución en el riesgo cardiovascular debido a una mejora en los marcadores metabólicos y capacidad física de las mujeres.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the effects of the government's healthy living plan on metabolic markers and physical capacity in sedentary women from Villa Alemana, Chile. Materials and Methods 63 women who participated in the study (41.2±11.2 years) underwent 12 months of multi- and interdisciplinary intervention (doctor, nutritionist, psychologist and physical education teacher) of 180 minutes of physical activity per week. Mean and standard deviation were used for statistical analysis, while the t-test of related samples was used to determine the effects of the program. The level of significance was estimated with a value of p<0.05. Results There was a decrease in total cholesterol (p=0.003) and LDL cholesterol (p=0.048), improvement in the 6-minute test (p=0.000) and number of squats in thirty seconds (p=0.000) with a positive effect on delta recovery heart rate (p=0.001). Conclusions The government's strategy resulted in a decrease of cardiovascular risk due to improved metabolic markers and women's physical capacity.(AU)