Analysis of funding landscape for health policy and systems research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A scoping review of the literature over the past decade.

BACKGROUND: Health policy and systems research (HPSR) can strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), there is limited recognition of the importance of HPSR and funding remains the main challenge. This study seeks to: (1) assess the reporting of funding in HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 in the EMR, (2) examine the source of funding in the published HPSR papers in the EMR and (3) explore variables influencing funding sources, including any difference in funding sources for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related articles. METHODS: We conducted a rapid scoping review of HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 (inclusively) in the EMR, addressing the following areas: reporting of funding in HPSR papers, source of funding in the published HPSR papers, authors' affiliations and country of focus. We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for conducting scoping reviews. We also conducted univariate and bivariate analyses for all variables at 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Of 10,797 articles screened, 3408 were included (of which 9.3% were COVID-19-related). More than half of the included articles originated from three EMR countries: Iran (n = 1018, 29.9%), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (n = 595, 17.5%) and Pakistan (n = 360, 10.6%). Approximately 30% of the included articles did not report any details on study funding. Among articles that reported funding (n = 1346, 39.5%), analysis of funding sources across all country income groups revealed that the most prominent source was national (55.4%), followed by international (41.7%) and lastly regional sources (3%). Among the national funding sources, universities accounted for 76.8%, while governments accounted for 14.9%. Further analysis of funding sources by country income group showed that, in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, all or the majority of funding came from international sources, while in high-income and upper-middle-income countries, national funding sources, mainly universities, were the primary sources of funding. The majority of funded articles' first authors were affiliated with academia/university, while a minority were affiliated with government, healthcare organizations or intergovernmental organizations. We identified the following characteristics to be significantly associated with the funding source: country income level, the focus of HPSR articles (within the EMR only, or extending beyond the EMR as part of international research consortia), and the first author's affiliation. Similar funding patterns were observed for COVID-19-related HPSR articles, with national funding sources (78.95%), mainly universities, comprising the main source of funding. In contrast, international funding sources decreased to 15.8%. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to address the reporting of funding and funding sources in published HPSR articles in the EMR. Approximately 30% of HPSR articles did not report on the funding source. Study findings revealed heavy reliance on universities and international funding sources with minimal role of national governments and regional entities in funding HPSR articles in the EMR. We provide implications for policy and practice to enhance the profile of HPSR in the region.

خطة العمل الإقليمية بشأن السل لإقليم منظمة الصحة العالمية لشرق المتوسط 2023 – 2030

تقــدم خطــة العمــل الإقليميــة بشــأن الســل لإقليــم منظمــة الصحــة العالميــة لشــرق المتوســط 2023-2030 تحلــيلاً محََّدثـًا لوضــع الســل وإرشــادات لمختلــف مجموعــات البلــدان بشــأن التوجيهات الاســتراتيجية والإجــراءات ذات الأولويــة لتحســين مؤشــرات حصائــل الســل ومخرجاتــه علــى المســتوى القطــري والتقــدم صــوب تحقيــق أهــداف التنميـة المسـتدامة 2030 وغايـات القضـاء علـى السـل .2035 وتدعـو الخطـة إلـى جمـع البيانــات الُُقطريــة وتحليلهــا بانتظــام لوضــع مؤشــرات طــوال فتــرة تنفيذهــا والتقييــم الـدوري للتقـدم المحـرز بغيـة المسـاعدة علـى الاسترشـاد بذلـك فـي تحقيـق تحسـينات فـي توجيـه تـدخالت الوقايـة مـن السـل ورعايـة المصابيـن بـه. وقد اعدِت أهـداف الخطـة عقــب عمليــة تشــاورية شــارك فيهــا جميــع مديــري البرامــج الوطنيــة لمكافحــة الســل فـي الإقليـم، وترمـي تلـك الأهـداف إلـى دعـم البلـدان فـي سـد الفجـوة بيـن اسـتراتيجية القضـاء علـى السـل التـي تتسـم بطابـع مفاهيمـي حـاد والخطـط الاسـتراتيجية الوطنيـة التنفيذــية المــحددة الــسياق لمكافــحة الــسل.

Progress on the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and targets in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2023: 2nd progress report

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a vision of healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages. This major report provides an update on progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. It presents regional trends between 2010 and 2022 for 50 health-related SDG indicators using available data from WHO and estimates from other United Nations agencies. The report reveals some successes at the country level amid a marked slowdown regionally with setbacks across indicators on health health risks and determinants and access to services. We are at the halfway point for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to reverse current trends and ensure the health and well-being of our population we must take bold steps now.

Epidemiological update of cystic echinococcosis in livestock and assessment of practices related to its control in the Mediterranean area.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is a zoonotic parasitic disease that still represents a serious threat to human and animal health worldwide. The Mediterranean basin is recognized as one of the major hotspots of CE due to several factors, including the presence of diverse intermediate host species as well as socio-economic and cultural conditions of local communities. This study aims to take a closer look at epidemiological data on CE in the Mediterranean area and assess the knowledge attitudes and practices of shepherds towards this disease in four countries (Algeria, Greece, Italy and Tunisia), highly endemic for CE, with the final goal of identifying highly endemic risk areas and practices in use which might potentially allow the persistence of E. granulosus infection in these areas. To update the epidemiological scenario of CE in Mediterranean areas, a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature on CE prevalence data published during the 2017-2023 period was carried out and, through a geographical information system (GIS), a map displaying the current CE distribution in the Mediterranean area was generated. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted through in-depth interviews of the farmers to collect information on their management system as well as knowledge attitudes and practices towards CE. From the farmer-participatory survey some risky practices emerged including the non-regular deworming of dogs or the use of ineffective drugs or dosing, as well as the provision of uncooked animal viscera to dogs. Finally, lower levels of knowledge and awareness of the disease was observed among farmers from North Africa compared with those of European countries. In conclusion, the results obtained highlight that CE is still a very serious problem in Mediterranean areas and increased efforts are needed to promote awareness among farmers and to turn research results into policy in order to reduce the spread of this disease, according to the One Health perspective.

Effect of Physical Performance Levels of Elderly Living in Urban and Rural Areas on Social Participation, Social Functioning, and Quality of Life: A Cross-sectional Study from the Mediterranean Region of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Social interaction is a very important subject for the elderly, especially in the context of active aging. AIM: This study aims to investigate the effect of physical performance levels of the elderly living in rural and urban areas on social participation, social functioning, and quality of life. METHODS: A total of 418 volunteer elderly aged 65 and over, living in rural (42.3%) and urban (57.7%) areas, participated in this study. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Short Physical Performance Battery, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale for Older Adults, Social Functioning Scale, and the Community Integration Questionnaire were applied to participants. RESULTS: The scores of social functioning (P = 0.027) and the social network subscale of social participation (P = 0.001) were significantly higher among participants living in urban areas compared to those living in rural areas. Physical performance was positively correlated with social participation (r = 0.404) and social functioning (r = 0.324) at a moderate level (P = 0.000), and with quality of life at a low level (r = 0.158) (P = 0.001). Social participation was positively correlated with social functioning at a high level (r = 0.572) and with quality of life at a moderate level (r = 0.300) (P = 0.000). Social functioning was positively correlated with quality of life at a low level (r = 0.234) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: To increase social participation, social functioning, and quality of life among the elderly, it is necessary to keep physical performance levels higher. In addition, in the planning of social participation, it is crucial to take into account where the elderly live in.

Increasing access to healthcare in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic have provided an opportunity to intensify efforts towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovations in digital health and advances in science witnessed during the pandemic can be harnessed to improve equitable access to healthcare and build resilient health systems. We also have stark reminders that without addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups and societies, a simple expansion of service delivery efforts may even exacerbate existing inequities in healthcare.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2024; Vol.30, Issue 2]

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region.

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région.

Achieving integrated disease surveillance in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Access to reliable and timely information is key for healthcare decision-making at the regional, national and sub-national levels. However, lack of access to such information hampers to progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), as indicated in the Regional Progress Report on Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals.

Health workforce in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: From COVID-19 lessons to actions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating and unprecedented impact on health and health systems globally leaving an indelible mark on health system infrastructures. The pandemic also clearly demonstrated the critical role of health workers for well-performing health systems, in particular during emergencies and have prompted the need to undergo a critical re-evaluation of health systems and health workforce design and implementation. As the year 2023 marks the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development, the time is pertinent for action by governments and partners to scale up the health workforce to advance towards sustainable developement goal (SDG) 3 on health and well-being and other health-related SDGs, building on the lessons from COVID-19. Therefore, at the 70th session of World Health Organization Regional Committee for Eastern Mediterranean, Member States unanimously adopted a resolution to call for accelerated actions to address health workforce challenges through solidarity, alignment, and synergy of efforts in order to rebuild resilient health systems after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2024; Vol.30, Issue 1] / [المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط [2024; المجلد 30 , العدد 1

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region.

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région.