Evidence based policy making during times of uncertainty through the lens of future policy makers: four recommendations to harmonise and guide health policy making in the future.

The Covid-19 pandemic has not only outlined the importance of using evidence in the healthcare policy making process but also the complexity that exists between policymakers and the scientific community. As a matter of fact, scientific data is just one of many other concurrent factors, including economic, social and cultural, that may provide the rationale for policy making. The pandemic has also raised citizens' awareness and represented an unprecedented moment of willingness to access and understand the evidence underpinning health policies.This commentary provides policy recommendations to improve evidence-based policy making in health, through the lens of a young generation of public policy students and future policymakers, enrolled in a 24-hour course at Sciences Po Paris entitled "Evidence-based policy-making in health: theory and practice(s)".Four out of 11 recommendations were prioritised and presented in this commentary which target both policymakers and the scientific community to make better use of evidence-based policy making in health. First, policy makers and scientists should build trusting partnerships with citizens and engage them, especially those facing our target health care issues or systems. Second, while artificial intelligence raises new opportunities in healthcare, its use in contexts of uncertainty should be addressed by policymakers in terms of liability and ethics. Third, conflicts of interest must be disclosed as much as possible and effectively managed to (re) build a trust relationship between policymakers, the scientific community and citizens, implying the need for risk management tools and cross border disclosure mechanisms. Last, well-designed and secure health information systems need to be implemented, following the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles for health data. This will take us a step further from data to 'policy wisdom'.Overall, these recommendations identified and formulated by students highlight some key issues that need to be rethought in the health policy cycle through elements like institutional incentives, cultural changes and dialogue between policy makers and the scientific community. This input from a younger generation of students highlights the importance of making the conversation on evidence-based policy making in health accessible to all generations and backgrounds.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome in an older black adult. Case Report / Síndrome de Gorlin-Goltz en adulto mayor de raza negra. Reporte de caso

Abstract Introduction: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS), or basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), is a rare genetic disease that induces the development of odontogenic keratocysts, skeletal malformations and neoplasms, especially multiple and recurrent basal cell carcinomas (BCC). This condition is rare in black people, being reported in this population in only 5% of the cases. Case presentation: A 68-year-old black man reported the constant appearance for approximately 4 years of multiple papules and non-pruritic and non-desquamating skin plaques, with hyperpigmented margins, of different sizes that grew gradually in scalp, left lower eyelid, arms, forearms, back, and lower limbs. Histopathological study showed multiple BCC, and imaging studies identified calcifications in the tentorium cerebelli and cerebral falx, as well as images suggestive of odontogenic cysts. Based on his clinical history, histopathologic and imaging findings, and physical examination, he was diagnosed with GGS. Conclusions: This is the first case of GGS in an older black adult reported in Colombia. This case highlights the relevance of reviewing the medical records and performing a thorough physical examination when approaching the patient, as well as doing a comprehensive geriatric assessment, since they are key to diagnose this rare disease and initiate a timely multidisciplinary treatment. This will allow obtaining better outcomes in these patients.

Resumen Introducción. El síndrome de Gorlin-Goltz (SGG), o síndrome del nevo basocelular, es una enfermedad genética rara que induce el desarrollo de queratoquistes odontogénicos, malformaciones esqueléticas y neoplasias, especialmente carcinomas basocelulares (CBC) múltiples y recurrentes. Esta condición es infrecuente en personas de raza negra, reportándose en esta población solo en el 5% de los casos. Presentación del caso. Hombre de 68 años de raza negra, quien reportó la constante aparición, durante aproximadamente 4 años, de múltiples pápulas y placas no pruriginosas ni descamativas, de bordes hiperpigmentados, de diferentes dimensiones y de crecimiento gradual en cuero cabelludo, párpado inferior izquierdo, brazos, antebrazos, dorso y miembros inferiores. El estudio histopatológico evidenció múltiples CBC y en los estudios de imagen se identificaron calcificaciones en el tentorium cerebelli y la hoz del cerebro, así como imágenes sugestivas de quistes odontogénicos. Teniendo en cuenta la historia clínica, los hallazgos histopatológicos e imagenológicos y el examen físico, se diagnosticó con SGG. Conclusiones. Este el primer caso de SGG en un adulto mayor de raza negra reportado en Colombia. En este caso se resalta la importancia de la revisión de la historia clínica y el examen físico al momento de abordar un paciente, así como de una valoración geriátrica integral, ya que son fundamentales para diagnosticar esta rara enfermedad y poder iniciar un manejo multidisciplinario temprano, lo que permitirá obtener mejores resultados en estos pacientes.