Variabilidade de preços de aquisição de medicamentos do grupo 1B do Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica / Variability in Drug Procurement within Group 1B of the Pharmaceutical Specialized Scheme in Brazil

Resumo No Sistema Único de Saúde os medicamentos do grupo 1 do Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF) são financiados pela União e adquiridos de forma centralizada (grupo 1A) ou por cada Unidade Federativa (UF) (grupo 1B). Diferentemente de outros países onde se negocia um preço fixo a ser praticado no sistema público, no Brasil as aquisições são realizadas por licitação, o que pode levar a diferentes preços. Para permitir a comparação de preços, foi pactuada a obrigatoriedade de registro das aquisições públicas no Banco de Preços em Saúde (BPS). O estudo teve como objetivo analisar a variabilidade dos preços de medicamentos do grupo 1B adquiridos pelas UF do Brasil em 2021. Foram obtidas as aquisições de medicamentos do grupo 1B realizadas pelas Secretarias de Estado das 27 UF por consulta ao BPS excluindo-se os medicamentos sem preço de ressarcimento estabelecido em dezembro/2021. Foi obtido do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais o ressarcimento para cada UF. Verificou-se grande variabilidade dos preços de aquisição para cada medicamento entre as UF e dentro da mesma UF. O estudo demonstrou potencial iniquidade de acesso ao CEAF, privilegiando com menores preços UF mais favorecidas (maior população e riqueza).

Abstract In the Brazilian Health System (SUS), drugs covered by the Specialized Pharmaceutical Scheme (CEAF) receive federal funding and can be procured either centrally (Group 1A) or by individual states (Federal Units - UF) (Group 1B). Unlike other countries where national procurement prices are negotiated centrally by the government, public procurement in Brazil follows a public auction procedure, potentially resulting in varying purchase prices. To facilitate price comparisons, it is a legal requirement to register public acquisitions in the Health Prices Registry (BPS). This study aimed to assess the variability in the procurement prices for Group 1B drugs across the 27 Brazilian states during 2021. Data on the acquisitions of Group 1B drugs by the 27 Health Secretariats were obtained from the BPS. Drugs with no reported reimbursement prices as of December 2021 were excluded from the analysis. The total reimbursement amount for each state was sourced from the SUS Ambulatory Information System. The findings revealed significant variability in drug procurement prices both across and within states. The study underscored a potential disparity in CEAF access, favoring wealthier states (those with larger populations and higher economic status) by securing lower drug prices.

Oral health research funding in relation to disease burden in Australia.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate and compare the major Australian government research funding schemes for oral health science with other disciplines from the burden of disease perspective. METHODS: Major government research funding scheme outcomes were identified. An innovative index of Fair Research Funding (FRF) was developed to examine the extent to which National Health and Medical Research Council funding is aligned with the disease burden. In addition to comparing different diseases, overall governmental research funding for different areas of oral health sciences was explored. RESULTS: Oral disorders with $15 million NHMRC grant funds (2017-2021) and FRF of 10.7 has the lowest and most inequitable amount of Australian government support in relation to disease burden. The share of oral health science in the Australian Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund was very minimal, with $3.43 and $1.88 million respectively. CONCLUSION: Governmental research funding for oral health sciences is inequitable according to the disease burden. More dedicated oral health sciences research funding schemes are essential. Funding for prevention-focused public oral health programmes is a vital requirement towards reducing the inequalities in population oral health.

If Left Unchecked: Lessons Learned from Unfettered U.S. Government Support of the NIH-Moderna Vaccine.

The NIH-Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine's steep price increase raises concerns that this will be the new anchor for continued price hikes and underscores the need for upstream government intervention to enable greater accountability and stewardship of public biomedical research investment.

The price of political polarization: Evidence from municipal issuers during the coronavirus pandemic.

This study estimates the financial costs imposed by political polarization among citizens on U.S. local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We measure local political polarization by using citizens' voting results in the presidential elections. We find local political polarization leads to higher offering yield of the bonds issued by the U.S. municipalities. The impact on borrowing costs is exaggerated by the number of pandemic cases in the local area, suggesting political polarization hinders the making and enforcement of government measures for the pandemic. This study highlights the mechanisms through which financial markets and local political ideology jointly affect social welfare.

Government funding of cancer research in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cancer research is a prominent theme on national and international development agendas. In many developed countries, funding for this area comes mainly from government sources. This article analyzes government funding of cancer research in Brazil, identifying the main funding instruments and examining the regional distribution of resources, research project and researcher profiles. METHODS: Exploratory study of government funding of cancer research in Brazil between 2007 and 2016. The primary data were federal and state funding agencies. RESULTS: A total of 8565 research awards were identified for the period 2007-2016. Amounting to almost US$489 million, these awards were linked to 7622 research projects and 3068 researchers. The proportion of grants awarded to women was slightly higher. It is noteworthy that just 3% of researchers received 20 % of the grants. The multiple-grant history of individual researchers seemed to be a conditioning factor for obtaining new grants/fellowships. Funding was highly concentrated in the Southeast region, accounting for 84.4 % of total awards. There was a positive correlation between number of awards and amount awarded. The most frequently studied cancers were breast (11.8 %), head and neck (9.0 %) and skin cancer (5.3 %). Studies that did not specify the type of cancer accounted for 36.8 % of grants and 45.1 % of funding. CONCLUSION: The findings show a fall in the share of cancer research funding in the three largest funders. Cuts in government spending triggered by the country's political and economic crisis, highlight the vulnerability of science and technology. Greater transparency through access to information on funding, researcher, and research profiles is key to obtaining a better understanding the cancer research funding landscape in Brazil and reducing regional inequalities. POLICY SUMMARY: A more centralized management of public cancer research funding and constant investment and monitoring is needed to ensure the effective implementation of funding policy.

Public-private relationship in surgical hospitalizations through the Unified Health System / Relação público-privado nas internações cirúrgicas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde / Relación público-privado en los ingresos quirúrgicos a través del Sistema Único de Salud

Objective: to characterize surgical hospitalizations, length of stay, cost and mortality, according to the legal nature (public and private) of the hospital institution linked to the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS). Method: a descriptive study, of the survey type, with retrospective data collection (2008 to 2017) and a quantitative approach. The dependent variables surgical hospitalizations in Brazil, costs, length of stay and mortality and the independent variables regime/legal nature (public and private) were obtained from the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System. The Mann-Whitney test was used for analysis. Results: the average number of hospitalizations through the Unified Health System was 4,214,083 hospitalizations/year, 53.5% occurred in private hired hospitals and 46.5% in public hospitals (p=0.001). The financial transfer was greater for the private sector (60.6%) against 39.4% for the public (p=0.001). The average stay was 4.5 days in the public hospital and 3.1 days in its private counterpart (p<0.001). Mortality was higher in the public (1.8%) than in the private hospital (1.4%) (p<0.001). Conclusion: there was predominance of surgical hospitalizations through the Unified Health System in private hospitals with greater financial transfer to this sector, to the detriment of the public. The diverse evidence produced contributes to the debate and actions to avoid budgetary asphyxiation in the public sector in favor of the private sector.

Objetivo: caracterizar as internações cirúrgicas, permanência, custo e mortalidade, conforme a natureza jurídica (público e privado) da instituição hospitalar ligada ao Sistema Único de Saúde. Método: estudo descritivo, tipo levantamento, com coleta de dados retrospectiva (2008 a 2017) e abordagem quantitativa. As variáveis dependentes internações cirúrgicas ocorridas no Brasil, custos, permanência e mortalidade e as variáveis independentes regime/natureza jurídica (público e privado) foram obtidas do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi empregado para análise. Resultados: a média das internações pelo Sistema Único de Saúde foi de 4.214.083 internações/ ano, 53,5% ocorridas nos hospitais privados contratados e 46,5% em hospitais públicos (p=0,001). O repasse financeiro foi maior para o setor privado (60,6%) contra 39,4% para os públicos (p=0,001). A média de permanência foi de 4,5 dias no público e 3,1 dias no privado (p<0,001). A mortalidade foi maior no público (1,8%) do que no privado (1,4%) (p<0,001). Conclusão: houve predomínio das internações cirúrgicas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde nos hospitais privados com repasse financeiro maior para este setor em detrimento do público. As evidências produzidas contribuem para o debate e ações para evitar o asfixiamento orçamentário do setor público em privilégio do privado.

Objetivo: caracterizar los ingresos quirúrgicos, la estancia, el costo y la mortalidad, según la naturaleza jurídica (público y privado) del hospital vinculado al Sistema Único de Salud. Método: se trata de estudio descriptivo, tipo encuesta, con recolección de datos retrospectiva (2008 a 2017) y enfoque cuantitativo. Las variables dependientes ingresos quirúrgicos en Brasil, costos, estancia y mortalidad y las variables independientes régimen/naturaleza jurídica (público y privado) se obtuvieron del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud. Para el análisis se utilizó la prueba de MannWhitney. Resultados: el promedio de hospitalizaciones a través del Sistema Único de Salud fue de 4.214.083 hospitalizaciones/ año, 53,5% ocurrieron en hospitales privados contratados y 46,5% en hospitales públicos (p=0,001). La transferencia financiera fue mayor para el sector privado (60,6%) y del 39,4% para el público (p=0,001). La estancia media fue de 4,5 días en el público y 3,1 días en el privado (p<0,001). La mortalidad fue mayor en los hospitales públicos (1,8%) que en los privados (1,4%) (p<0,001). Conclusión: hubo un predominio de los ingresos quirúrgicos a través del Sistema Único de Salud en los hospitales privados con mayor transferencia económica a este sector en detrimento de la población. La evidencia producida contribuye al debate y las acciones para evitar la asfixia presupuestaria del sector público que privilegia al sector privado.

Programa Academia da Saúde: um olhar quantitativo das adesões entre 2011 a 2017 / The Health Academy Program in Brazil: a quantitative view of adhesions between 2011 to 2017

O objetivo foi analisar a distribuição das adesões municipais ao Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS) no território nacional e o impacto da alteração do tipo de financiamento das obras no quantitativo de adesões. Foram utilizados dados secundários disponibilizados pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS) referentes às adesões ocorridas de 2011 a 2017 para compor as variáveis do estudo. Foram realizadas análises descritiva e inferencial, empregando-se o teste t pareado de Student para verificar diferenças entre adesões em diferentes anos e modalidades de financiamento (emenda parlamentar ­ EP e MS). Os resultados mostram que a maioria das macrorregiões apresentou mais de 50% de municípios participantes (municípios-PAS). As regiões Nordeste e Sudeste tiveram mais adesões, mas a região Norte destacou-se com o maior quantitativo de municípios-PAS proporcionalmente ao total de municípios. O período de maior expansão foi de 2011 a 2013. O número de adesões e municípios-PAS nos cinco anos de financiamento exclusivo por EP não superou o quantitativo aprovado de 2011 a 2012. Nos primeiros anos de financiamento por EP, ocorreu concentração das adesões nos mesmos municípios. Todas as macrorregiões apresentaram mais de 60% de obras concluídas, entretanto foi baixo o percentual de academias com custeio federal dentre as adesões aptas ao recebimento. Concluímos que o PAS está bem distribuído em todo o país, com diferentes situações de implantação. O período de maior expansão do programa foi em 2011 e 2012, quando as obras eram financiadas com recurso do MS. De 2013 a 2017, com financiamento exclusivo por EP, o quantitativo de adesões não superou o observado nos dois primeiros anos

This study aimed to analyze the adhesions of the Health Academy Program (HAP) in the country and the impact of the funding type alteration for the facilities building. Secondary data provided by the Minis-try of Health regarding the adhesions from 2011 to 2017 were used to compose the variables. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted, using the Student's paired t-test to verify differences between the number of adhesions to the HAP in different years and funding types. Most regions had more than 50% of participating municipalities. Northeast and Southeast presented greater adhesions numbers concerning the other regions, but the North was highlighted with the largest quantity proportional to the number of municipalities. The greatest expansion was from 2011 to 2013. The number of facilities and municipalities enrolled in the HAP during the years of exclusive funding by parliamentary amendments did not exceed the amount approved from 2011 to 2012. There was a concentration of adhesions in the same municipalities in 2012 and 2013 when the parliamentary amendments were included. In all regions, the rate of facility building completion was above 60%, however the percentage of facilities with the maintenance funding among those able to receive it is low. In conclusion, the HAP has been largely implemented in the country, with a variety of implementation status. From 2011 to 2012 occurred the greatest expansion of the HAP, period that the facilities where financed with funds from the Ministry of Health. In the others hand, from 2013 to 2017, with exclusive funding by EP, the number of facilities did not exceed that observed in the first two years

Metodologias para alocação equitativa de recursos financeiros em saúde: uma revisão integrativa / Methodologies for equitable allocation of health financial resources: an integrative review

RESUMO Há diversas experiências no mundo que visam ao desenvolvimento de metodologias para alocação de recursos para a saúde, contudo, o que resta saber é até que ponto a equidade é operacionalizada nesses métodos. Por isso, este estudo objetivou analisar o que tem sido produzido nas literaturas nacional e internacional a respeito das metodologias de alocação equitativas de recursos em saúde e suas dimensões. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa em três portais/bases de dados (Bireme, PubMed e Scopus) de artigos científicos, publicados em português, inglês e espanhol. Foram identificados nos artigos o(s) objetivo(s), o método do estudo utilizado pelos pesquisadores e a abordagem sobre a metodologia de alocação de recursos em saúde no que se refere à discussão/operacionalização da equidade. Ainda são poucos os estudos em que alocação equitativa é tema central. Há certa imprecisão sobre a delimitação entre 'alocar' e 'financiar'. Em geral, as metodologias precisam admitir as implicações (bio)éticas relativas à equidade, devem se basear minimamente na dimensão per capita, em conjunto, compulsoriamente, com a orçamentação incremental, com as questões sociodemográficas, sociossanitárias e epidemiológicas e ter centralidade na 'necessidade de saúde', sendo necessário um constante aperfeiçoamento da metodologia ao longo do tempo para refinar a operacionalidade da equidade.

ABSTRACT There are several experiences in the world that aim to develop methodologies for resource allocation for health, however, what remains to be seen is the extent to which equity is operationalized in these methods. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze what has been produced in national and international literature regarding equitable methodologies for the allocation of health resources and their dimensions. An integrative review was conducted in three portals/databases (Bireme, PubMed and Scopus) of scientific articles, published in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The articles identified the objective(s), the study method used by the researchers and the approach on the methodology of health resource allocation with regard to the discussion/operationalization of equity. There are still few studies in which equitable allocation is the central theme. There is some vagueness about the boundary between 'allocate' and 'finance'. In general, methodologies need to admit the (bio)ethical implications related to equity, they must be based minimally on the per capita dimension, together, mandatorily, with incremental budgeting, sociodemographic, socio-sanitary and epidemiological issues and centered on the 'health needs', requiring a constant refinement of the methodology over time to refine the operability of equity.

Emendas parlamentares e o orçamento federal para o esporte brasileiro (2004-2015) / Parliamentary amendments and the federal budget for brazilian sport (2004-2015) / Enmiendas parlamentarias y el presupuesto deportivo federal brasileño (2004-2015)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar magnitude e características das emendas aprovadas no orçamento do Ministério do Esporte (ME) de 2004 a 2015. Esta pesquisa, documental e de natureza exploratória, coletou dados do Portal SIGA Brasil. Verificamos que a alocação de emendas parlamentares no orçamento do ME foi prioritariamente proveniente de emendas individuais (R$ 8,2 bilhões) e que, exceto pelas emendas de relatoria, as propostas privilegiaram a implantação de infraestrutura esportiva (R$ 12,9 bilhões). Estados e municípios foram os maiores beneficiários das emendas (R$ 12,5 bilhões). Exceto por Espírito Santo, os estados da região Sudeste totalizaram o maior volume de recursos. Concluímos que a alocação de emendas no orçamento do ME privilegiou o atendimento das demandas individuais dos parlamentares por meio do direcionamento de recursos para pequenas obras, especialmente dos programas "Esporte e Lazer da Cidade" e "Segundo Tempo", nas localidades as quais encontravam-se vinculados.

The aim of this study was to investigate the volume and characteristics of the amendments approved in the budget of the Ministry of Sports (ME) from 2004 to 2015. This research, documentary and exploratory nature, collected data from SIGA Brazil Portal. We verified that allocation of parliamentary amendments was primarily from individual amendments (R$ 8.2 billion) and, except for the amendments of the rapporteur, the proposals favored the implementation of sports infrastructure (R$ 12.9 billion). States and municipalities were the largest beneficiaries (R$ 12.5 billion). Except for Espírito Santo, the states of the southeast region totaled the largest volume of budgetary resources. We concluded that the allocation of amendments in the budget of the ME privileged the attendance of individual demands of the parliamentarians by directing resources to small works, especially from "Esporte e Lazer da Cidade" and "Segundo Tempo" programs, in locations where they were bound.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la magnitud y las características de las enmiendas aprobadas en el presupuesto del Ministerio de Deportes (ME) de 2004 a 2015. Esta investigación exploratoria y documental recopiló datos del Portal SIGA Brasil. Observamos que la asignación de enmiendas parlamentarias provino principalmente de enmiendas individuales (R$ 8,2 mil millones) y que, a excepción de las enmiendas del relator, las propuestas favorecieron la implementación de infraestructura deportiva (R$ 12,9 mil millones). Los estados y municipios fueron los principales beneficiarios de las enmiendas (R$ 12,5 mil millones). A excepción de Espírito Santo, los estados de la región sureste representaron la mayor cantidad de recursos. Concluimos que la asignación de enmiendas en el presupuesto del ME favoreció la satisfacción de las demandas individuales de los parlamentarios al dirigir recursos para pequeñas obras, especialmente los programas "Esporte e Lazer da Cidade" y "Segundo Tempo", en lugares donde estaban atados.

Willingness to Pay for Mandibular Overdentures: A Societal Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Dental services in many countries are funded out-of-pocket by patients whose acceptance of a dental treatment depends on their valuation of it. Using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) strategy, this study aimed to determine how people who do not wear dentures value the benefits of dentures retained by implants and what factors explain variations in WTP among subjects. METHODS: Telephone numbers of a representative Canadian sample were obtained from a consumer database provider. Respondents completed either an internet-based or telephone survey with 3 payment scenarios: paying oneself (out-of-pocket), coverage with private health insurance, and publicly financed through additional taxes. Personal information data (e.g., age, income) were used as independent variables in regression models to assess the determinants of WTP amounts. RESULTS: Among 1,096 respondents, 317 participated in the survey (response rate, 28.9%). The mean WTP of participants (mean ± SD age: 41.2 ± 0.6 y; 54.3% male) who were dentate/partially edentate was $5,347 for implant overdentures. Considering a 1 in 5 chance of becoming edentate, they were willing to pay $26.93 as monthly payments for private insurance. They were also willing to pay an additional yearly tax of $103.63 to support a public program. WTP private payments increased substantially with increase in household income and dental needs. CONCLUSION: This preference study provides information to dentists, insurance companies, and policy makers on what dentate people are willing to pay for implant overdentures, whether directly or with insurance/government coverage. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: This study provides results of interest to many stakeholders. For clinicians, the results reveal what people are willing to pay for implant overdentures for themselves. It also provides information to employers and insurance companies on how people value having coverage for this kind of service. Furthermore, it provides public policy makers the value that people place on public funding of such treatments and how they would support a decision to publicly fund such a treatment.

Aporte de un sistema predictivo de contraloría médica en la gestión de licencias médicas electrónicas / Contributions of a predictive medical audit system in the electronic management of sick leaves

INTRODUCCIÓN: El retraso del procesamiento de las licencias médicas (LMs) representa un problema de salud pública en Chile, considerando que esto afecta el pago del subsidio a las personas destinado a realizar el reposo médico prescrito mientras no se pueda trabajar. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar las diferencias en el tiempo de procesamiento de las licencias médicas electrónicas (LMEs) evaluadas por contraloría médica (CM) y las evaluadas por un sistema predictivo de contraloría médica (SPCM) basado en redes neuronales artificiales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El tiempo de procesamiento de LMEs procesadas con SPCM fue comparado con el tiempo de procesamiento de LMEs examinadas solo con CM, usando curvas de Kaplan Meier, prueba de log-rank y modelos multivariados de Cox. RESULTADOS: La tasa de procesamiento del SPCM fue entre 1,7 a 5,5 veces más rápida que la tasa de procesamiento de la CM, ajustando por potenciales confusores. DISCUSIÓN: La implementación del SPCM permitió disminuir el tiempo de procesamiento de las LMEs, beneficiando a los trabajadores afiliados al seguro público.

INTRODUCTION: The delay in the processing of sick leaves (SLs) is a public health pro-blem in Chile, considering that this affects the payment of the subsidy to the indivi-duals destined to perform the prescribed medical rest while unable to work. The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the processing time of electronic SLs (ESLs) evaluated by medical audit (MA) and the SLs evaluated by a predictive medi-cal audit system (PMAS) based on artificial neural networks. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The processing time of the ESLs that were processed by PMAS was compared with the processing time of those that were examined only by MA, using Kaplan Meier curves, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: The processing rate for PMAS was 1.7-fold to 5.5-fold faster than MA, after adjusting for potential confoun-ding variables. DISCUSSION: The implementation of the PMAS reduced the processing time of ESLs, which benefits the workers affiliated to the public insurance system in Chile. (AU)

Gasto na subfunção Desporto Comunitário na Região Sul do Brasil / Spending in the Community Sport sub-heading in southern Brazil / El gasto en la subfunción Deporte Comunitario en la región sur de Brasil

O presente trabalho de natureza descritiva exploratória buscou analisar de forma comparativa o comportamento dos municípios da Região Sul do Brasil no financiamento da subfunção Desporto Comunitário (sDC) de 2005 a 2014. Os recursos investidos na Função Desporto e Lazer (FDL) foram capturados junto ao site do Tesouro Nacional. A adesão e o gasto na subfunção Desporto Comunitário se deram em níveis elevados na região. Os resultados apontam também que os governos municipais são os principais financiadores desta agenda na região, quando comparados com a descentralização top-down. Os dados gerais revelam intensa atividade política na região em torno da agenda do esporte e do lazer e que, mesmo sem regulação federal, os municípios têm sido atores importantes na implementação de políticas públicas de esporte

This descriptive-exploratory study conducted a comparative analysis of the behavior of municipalities in the South region of Brazil when funding the Community Sport sub-heading from 2005 to 2014. Data on resources invested in the Sport and Leisure Heading were collected on the National Treasury website. Adherence to and spending on the sport community sub-heading has been high in the region. The results also indicate that municipal governments are the main funders of that agenda in the region when compared to top-down decentralization. General data reveal intense political activity around the sport and leisure agenda in the region and that municipalities have been important actors in implementing public sports policies even without federal regulation

Este trabajo descriptivo-exploratorio tuvo como objetivo analizar comparativamente el comportamiento de los municipios de la región sur de Brasil en la financiación de la subfunción Deporte Comunitario de 2005 a 2014. Los datos sobre los recursos invertidos en la función Deporte y Ocio se han reunido en el sitio web del Tesoro Nacional. La adhesión y el gasto en la subfunción Deporte Comunitario se han dado en niveles elevados en la región. Los resultados muestran también que los gobiernos municipales son los principales financiadores de esta agenda en la región, en comparación con la descentralización top-down. Los datos generales revelan intensa actividad política en la región en torno a la agenda del deporte y del ocio y que, incluso sin regulación federal, los municipios han sido actores importantes en la implementación de políticas públicas de deporte

Crise e federalismo: tendências e padrões regionais das receitas e despesas em saúde dos estados brasileiros / Crisis and federalism: trends and regional patterns of health revenues and expenditures in the brazilian states

Resumo O estudo tem como objetivo analisar as tendências e os padrões regionais das receitas e despesas em saúde dos estados brasileiros no período de 2006 a 2016. Trata-se de estudo exploratório e descritivo com base em dados secundários de abrangência nacional e indicadores selecionados. Verificou-se crescimento da receita corrente líquida per capita para o conjunto dos estados e regiões, com quedas em anos específicos associadas às crises de 2008-2009 e de 2015-2016. A despesa em saúde per capita apresentou tendência de crescimento, mesmo em momentos de crise econômica e queda da arrecadação. Observou-se diversidade de fontes e heterogeneidade de receitas e despesas em saúde, e impactos diferenciados da crise sobre os orçamentos estaduais das regiões. Os resultados sugerem o efeito protetor relacionado à vinculação constitucional da saúde, aos compromissos e prioridades de gastos, e aos mecanismos de compensação de fontes de receitas do federalismo fiscal nas despesas em saúde dos estados. Contudo, permanecem desafios para a implantação de um sistema de transferências que diminua as desigualdades e estabeleça maior cooperação entre os entes, em um contexto de austeridade e fortes restrições ao financiamento público da saúde no Brasil.

Abstract This study aims to analyze regional trends and patterns of health revenues and expenditure in the Brazilian states from 2006 to 2016. This is an exploratory and descriptive study based on secondary national data and selected indicators. Higher per capita net current revenues for all states and regions, with decreasing levels in specific years associated with the crises of 2008-2009 and 2015-2016 were observed. Per capita health expenditure showed an increasing trend, even in times of economic crisis and declining collection. Diversity of sources and heterogeneity of health revenues and expenditures, as well as different impacts of the crisis on the regional budgets, were observed. The results suggest the protective effect of constitutional health linkage, spending commitments and priorities, and compensation mechanisms of fiscal federalism revenue sources in state health expenditures. However, challenges remain for the implementation of a transfer system that reduces inequalities and establishes greater cooperation among entities, in a context of austerity and strong public health financing constraints in Brazil.

Evaluating Family Planning Organizations Under China's Two-Child Policy in Shandong Province.

BACKGROUND: The 2015 two-child policy was the most important institutional change in China's family planning since the 1978 one-child policy. To implement the two-child policy, China merged the former health departments and family planning departments into the new Health and Family Planning Commission organization. We collected and analyzed funding and expenditure data, providing a novel approach to assessing the family planning outcomes under China's two-child policy. The paper shows how the management structure and funding levels and streams shifted with the new two-child policy and assesses the new management structure in terms of the ability to carry out tasks under the new family planning policy. METHODS: We collected data on the funding, structure of expenditure and social compensation fee in Shandong province from 2011 to 2016, to evaluate how resources were allocated to family planning before and after the organizational change. We also collected interview data from family planning administrators. RESULTS: While total family planning government financing was reduced after the organizational change, expenditures were shifted away from management to family planning work. Funding (80%) was allocated to the grass-root county and township levels, where family planning services were provided. The overlapping work practices, bureaucracy, and inefficiencies were curbed and information flows were improved. CONCLUSIONS: The new Health and Family Planning Commissions shifted resources to carry out the new family planning policy. The aims of the two-child policy to reduce inefficiencies, overlapping authorities and excessive management were achieved and expenditures on family planning work was enhanced and made more efficient.

Does Introducing Public Funding for Allied Health Psychotherapy Lead to Reductions in Private Insurance Claims? Lessons for Canada from the Australian Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Provincial and territorial governments are considering how best to improve access to psychotherapy from the current patchwork of programmes. To achieve the best value for money, new funding needs to reach a wider population rather than simply replacing services funded through insurance benefits. We considered lessons for Canada from the relative uptake of private insurance and public funding for allied health psychotherapy in Australia. METHOD: We analysed published administrative claims data from 2003-2004 to 2014-2015 on Australian privately insured psychologist services, publicly insured psychotherapy under the 'Better Access' initiative, and public grant funding for psychotherapy through the 'Access to Allied Psychological Services' programme. Utilisation was compared to the prevalence of mental disorders and treatment rates in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. RESULTS: The introduction of public funding for psychotherapy led to a 52.1% reduction in private insurance claims. Costs per session were more than double under private insurance and likely contributed to individuals with private coverage choosing to instead access public programmes. However, despite substantial community unmet need, we estimate just 0.4% of the population made private insurance claims in the 2006-2007 period. By contrast, from its introduction, growth in the utilisation of Better Access quickly dwarfed other programmes and led to significantly increased community access to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although insurance in Canada is sponsored by employers, psychology claims also appear surprisingly low, and unmet need similarly high. Careful consideration will be needed in designing publicly funded psychotherapy programmes to prepare for the high demand while minimizing reductions in private insurance claims.

Alimentação escolar e agricultura familiar: análise de recursos empregados na compra de alimentos / School meals and family farming: analysis of funds spent in food purchases / Alimentación escolar y agricultura familiar: análisis de recursos empleados en la compra de alimentos

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a adequação da utilização de recursos financeiros para a compra de alimentos provenientes da agricultura familiar no âmbito do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) nas capitais de estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal. Estudo descritivo, com análise de dados secundários obtidos na página eletrônica do Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento para a Educação (FNDE) no espaço dedicado às informações sobre agricultura familiar. Foram investigados os valores repassados pelo FNDE e percentual utilizado na compra de alimentos da agricultura familiar para aquisição de alimentação escolar em capitais dos estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal no período de 2011 a 2017. Os dados foram coletados em maio de 2019. Das 27 cidades avaliadas, cerca de um terço (33,3%) apresentou compra acima do mínimo recomendado (30%). A Região Norte cumpriu o recomendado (39,4%) enquanto a Sudeste apresentou a menor porcentagem de compra (6,4%). De 2011 a 2017, percebeu-se aumento nos valores totais investidos e no número de cidades compradoras de alimentos da agricultura familiar. Dentre as capitais avaliadas, Boa Vista (Roraima) foi a que mais utilizou recursos para a aquisição de alimentos da agricultura familiar (56,6%). Em 2017, as prefeituras de Boa Vista e Aracaju (Sergipe) ofereceram contrapartida financeira adicionada aos recursos fornecidos pelo FNDE para a compra desses alimentos. Concluiu-se que, no período de 2011 a 2017, apenas um terço das capitais avaliadas utilizou adequadamente a porcentagem de recursos financeiros para a compra de alimentos da agricultura familiar, embora tenha sido percebido aumento gradual na compra desses alimentos, especialmente nas capitais do Norte e Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract: The study aimed to verify the adequacy of funds for food purchases from family farming in the scope of the National School Food Program (PNAE) in Brazil's state capitals and the Federal District. This was a descriptive study based on secondary data obtained from the webpage of the National Fund for the Development of Education (FNDE) in the link dedicated to information on family farming. We analyzed the amounts transferred to the FNDE and the percentage used in purchasing foods from family farmers for school meals in the state capitals and Federal District from 2011 to 2017. Data were collected in May 2019. One-third of the 27 cities (33.3%) reported purchases above the minimum recommended level (30%). The North of Brazil complied with the recommended level (39.4%), while the Southeast reported the lowest level (6.4%). There was an increase from 2011 to 2017 in the total amounts invested and in the number of cities that purchased foods from family farming. Boa Vista (Roraima) was the capital that spent the largest share of its school meal funds on foods produced by family farmers (56.6%). In 2017, the local governments in Boa Vista and Aracaju (Sergipe) offered matching funds for the funds transferred from the FNDE for these food purchases. In conclusion, from 2011 to 2017, only one-third of the capital cities adequately used the percentage of funds for purchasing foods from family farming, although there was a gradual increase in the purchase of these foods, especially in the state capitals from North and Northeast Brazil.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar la adecuación de la utilización de recursos financieros para la compra de alimentos procedentes de la agricultura familiar, dentro del ámbito del Programa Nacional de Alimentación Escolar (PNAE), en capitales de estados brasileños y en el Distrito Federal. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo con análisis de datos secundarios, obtenidos de la página electrónica del Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo para la Educación (FNDE), dentro de la sección dedicada a la información sobre agricultura familiar. Se investigaron los valores proporcionados por el FNDE y el porcentaje destinado a la compra de alimentos de agricultura familiar para la adquisición en escuelas de capitales de estados brasileños, así como en el Distrito Federal, durante el período de 2011 a 2017. Los datos se recogieron en mayo de 2019. De las 27 ciudades evaluadas, cerca de un tercio (33,3%) presentó una compra por encima del mínimo recomendado (30%). La Región Norte cumplió lo recomendado (39,4%), mientras que la Sudeste presentó el menor porcentaje de compra (6,4%). De 2011 a 2017, se percibió un aumento en los valores totales invertidos y en el número de ciudades compradoras de alimentos procedentes de agricultura familiar. Entre las capitales evaluadas, Boa Vista (Roraima) fue la que más utilizó recursos para la adquisición de alimentos de agricultura familiar (56,6%). En 2017, los ayuntamientos de Boa Vista y Aracaju (Sergipe) ofrecieron una partida financiera adicional, además de los recursos proporcionados por el FNDE, para la compra de estos alimentos. Se concluye que, durante el período de 2011 a 2017, solamente un tercio de las capitales evaluadas utilizó adecuadamente el porcentaje de recursos financieros para la compra de alimentos de la agricultura familiar, aunque se haya percibido un aumento gradual en la compra de estos alimentos, especialmente en las capitales del Norte y Nordeste de Brasil.

Gasto público y salud en el mundo, 1990-2012 / A Public expenditure and world's health, 1990-2012

Introducción: La evidencia empírica dispar relacionada con el efecto del gasto público en materia sanitaria puede deberse a las importantes variaciones metodológicas de los estudios y a las diferencias significativas en la forma en que el gasto público influye dependiendo del nivel de desarrollo de los países. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el gasto público total del Gobierno general y la mortalidad infantil y la esperanza de vida. Métodos: Investigación realizada en una muestra de 78 países segmentada por niveles de renta, desde 1990 hasta 2012. Se constituyeron cinco submuestras de países divididos por su nivel de renta mediante un procedimiento de agrupación no jerárquico de k-medias. Se verificó la procedencia de la segmentación mediante el test de Chow. Para cada una de las submuestras construidas, se estimó el modelo correspondiente por mínimos cuadrados generales lineales y un test de cointegración. Resultados: En las submuestras superiores en nivel de renta, la salud se relacionó significativa y consistentemente con el gasto público. Sin embargo, en los países de renta inferior-baja, el coeficiente del gasto presentó un signo contrario al esperado. Conclusiones: Se demuestra un impacto positivo y de largo plazo entre el gasto público y la situación sanitaria. Sin embargo, para los países de menor renta, este parece haber superado su punto óptimo, lo que indicaría su ineficiencia en términos sanitarios. Se conjetura que lo anterior se debe a la baja capacidad institucional de estos países, lo que impide que un mayor gasto obtenga mejores resultados sanitarios(AU)

Introduction: The disparate empirical evidence related with the effect of public expenditure on health may be due to the significant methodological variations of the studies, as well as the significant differences in the way in which public expenditure influences depending on the level of development of the countries. Objective: To determine the relation among the total public expenditure of the General Government, and infant mortality and life expectancy. Methods: Research project carried out with a sample of 78 countries segmented by income levels from 1990 to 2012. By means of a non - hierarchical grouping of k - media, five sub-samples of countries were formed and divided by their income level. The origin of the segmentation was verified by means of the Chow test. Linear GLS and a cointegration test were applied on each subsample. Results: In the upper subsamples at the income level, health was significantly and consistently related to public expenditure. However, in the lower-low income countries, the expenditure coefficient showed a sign opposite to that expected. Conclusions: There is evidence of a positive and long-term impact among public expenditure and the health situation. However, for lower income countries, this seems to have surpassed its optimum point, which would indicate its inefficiency in sanitary terms. It is conjectured that this is due to the low institutional capacity of these countries, which hampers that greater expenditure obtains better sanitary results(AU)

Gasto público y salud en el mundo, 1990-2012 / A Public expenditure and world's health, 1990-2012

Introducción: La evidencia empírica dispar relacionada con el efecto del gasto público en materia sanitaria puede deberse a las importantes variaciones metodológicas de los estudios y a las diferencias significativas en la forma en que el gasto público influye dependiendo del nivel de desarrollo de los países. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el gasto público total del Gobierno general y la mortalidad infantil y la esperanza de vida. Métodos: Investigación realizada en una muestra de 78 países segmentada por niveles de renta, desde 1990 hasta 2012. Se constituyeron cinco submuestras de países divididos por su nivel de renta mediante un procedimiento de agrupación no jerárquico de k-medias. Se verificó la procedencia de la segmentación mediante el test de Chow. Para cada una de las submuestras construidas, se estimó el modelo correspondiente por mínimos cuadrados generales lineales y un test de cointegración. Resultados: En las submuestras superiores en nivel de renta, la salud se relacionó significativa y consistentemente con el gasto público. Sin embargo, en los países de renta inferior-baja, el coeficiente del gasto presentó un signo contrario al esperado. Conclusiones: Se demuestra un impacto positivo y de largo plazo entre el gasto público y la situación sanitaria. Sin embargo, para los países de menor renta, este parece haber superado su punto óptimo, lo que indicaría su ineficiencia en términos sanitarios. Se conjetura que lo anterior se debe a la baja capacidad institucional de estos países, lo que impide que un mayor gasto obtenga mejores resultados sanitarios(AU)

Introduction: The disparate empirical evidence related with the effect of public expenditure on health may be due to the significant methodological variations of the studies, as well as the significant differences in the way in which public expenditure influences depending on the level of development of the countries. Objective: To determine the relation among the total public expenditure of the General Government, and infant mortality and life expectancy. Methods: Research project carried out with a sample of 78 countries segmented by income levels from 1990 to 2012. By means of a non - hierarchical grouping of k - media, five sub-samples of countries were formed and divided by their income level. The origin of the segmentation was verified by means of the Chow test. Linear GLS and a cointegration test were applied on each subsample. Results: In the upper subsamples at the income level, health was significantly and consistently related to public expenditure. However, in the lower-low income countries, the expenditure coefficient showed a sign opposite to that expected. Conclusions: There is evidence of a positive and long-term impact among public expenditure and the health situation. However, for lower income countries, this seems to have surpassed its optimum point, which would indicate its inefficiency in sanitary terms. It is conjectured that this is due to the low institutional capacity of these countries, which hampers that greater expenditure obtains better sanitary results(AU)

Diabetes research in Mexico: a map of 13 years of public funding / La investigación en diabetes en México: un mapa de 13 años de financiamiento público / Pesquisa em diabetes no México: um mapa de 13 anos de financiamento público

Abstract: In Mexico, diabetes represents a serious public health problem and a high-cost disease for the health system. Health research is essential for generating new knowledge to combat such a serious issue, however, there is not enough information on how to generate and use it. This paper examines the public funding of 303 diabetes research projects, granted by the National Council of Science and Technology in Mexico between 2002 and 2014. The projects were systematized and classified according to their type of research, discipline or subject, and aim of knowledge. Considering these information, an econometric model that links the funding with the characteristics of the projects was prepared. The results show that the funding is focused on the basic and biomedical areas, particularly on genetic research, and also that diabetes research resources have increased over time, not steadily, but rather cyclically. In diabetes research projects there is a high level of concentration at several dimensions: research areas, topics, objects, institutions conducting research, and regions. The analysis of the resource allocation suggests that Mexico needs a stronger and oriented diabetes research agenda, including in its bases discussions about balance between basic and applied research, and about oriented research towards practical implementations. The importance of promoting health systems research to improve diabetes care is also discussed, as well as implementing mechanisms to assess the impact of diabetes research in short, medium and long term, as part of Mexico's science and technology policy.

Resumen: En México la diabetes es un grave problema de salud pública y es una enfermedad de alto costo para el sistema de salud. La investigación en salud es esencial para generar nuevo conocimiento para combatir este problema, pero existe escasa información sobre su generación y uso. Este trabajo examina el financiamiento público de 303 proyectos de investigación sobre diabetes, otorgados por el Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología en México, entre 2002 y 2014. Los proyectos fueron sistematizados y clasificados de acuerdo con el tipo de investigación, disciplina o temática, y objetivo de generación de conocimiento. Con estos datos, se elaboró un modelo econométrico que relacional el financiamiento con las características de los proyectos. Los resultados muestran que el financiamiento está centrado en áreas básica y biomédica, particularmente en investigación genética, y que los recursos destinados a la investigación en diabetes se han incrementado en el tiempo pero no de manera constante, sino coyuntural. En los proyectos de investigación sobre diabetes hay un alto nivel de concentración en varias dimensiones: áreas de investigación, temáticas, objeto de estudio, instituciones que realizan la investigación, y regiones. El análisis de la asignación de recursos sugiere que México necesita una agenda de investigación en diabetes más fuerte y orientada, con fundamento en discusiones sobre el equilibrio entre investigación básica y aplicada, y sobre investigación orientada hacia implementaciones de tipo práctico. SE discute también la importancia de promover investigación sobre el sistema de salud para mejorar el cuidado a los pacientes con diabetes, así como la de implementar mecanismos para evaluar el impacto de la investigación en diabetes a corto, mediano y largo plazo, como parte de la política de ciencia y tecnología en México.

Resumo: No México, o diabetes representa um grave problema de saúde pública e uma doença de custo elevado para o sistema de saúde. A pesquisa em saúde é essencial para gerar novos conhecimentos para combater o problema, mas não há informação suficiente para gerar e utilizá-los. O artigo examina o financiamento público de 303 projetos de pesquisa em diabetes, através do Conselho Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do México entre 2002 e 2014. Os projetos foram sistematizados e classificados de acordo com o tipo de pesquisa, disciplina ou assunto e o objetivo do conhecimento. Com base nessa informação, foi preparado um modelo econométrico que associa o financiamento às características dos projetos. Os resultados mostram que o financiamento está concentrado nas áreas de pesquisa básica e biomédica, principalmente em pesquisa genética, e que os recursos para pesquisa em diabetes aumentaram ao longo do tempo, não continuamente, mas ciclicamente. Os projetos de pesquisa em diabetes mostram uma forte concentração em diversas dimensões: área de pesquisa, tema, objeto, instituição que realiza a pesquisa e região do país. A análise da alocação de recursos sugere que o México precisa de uma agenda de pesquisa mais forte e orientada, com bases que incluam discussões sobre o equilíbrio entre pesquisa básica e aplicada, e para pesquisa voltada para implementações práticas. O artigo também discute a importância de promover pesquisas em sistemas de saúde para melhorar os cuidados em diabetes, além de implementar mecanismos para avaliar o impacto da pesquisa em diabetes no curto, médio e longo prazo como parte da política de ciência e tecnologia do país.

O desafio da organização do Sistema Único de Saúde universal e resolutivo no pacto federativo brasileiro / The challenge of organizing a universal and efficient National Health System in the Brazilian federal pact

Resumo Desde a implantação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), persistem importantes desafios para garantia do direito à saúde no país. Esta reflexão teórica acerca da organização do SUS foi elaborada a partir da realização de entrevistas com atores da política social e de saúde do país, da análise de indicadores referentes aos municípios, população, rede assistencial e financiamento do sistema de saúde e de uma fundamentação teórica crítica, porém não sistemática, orientada pelo marco conceitual da universalização, do controle social, do financiamento das necessidades e da descentralização do SUS. Os sistemas de saúde universais são considerados os que melhor respondem às necessidades da população. Entretanto, o subfinanciamento desafia sua consolidação, com um percentual quase inalterado dos gastos federais como proporção do produto interno bruto (PIB), apesar do crescimento real dos gastos totais com o setor da saúde entre 2000 e 2012, reflexo do crescimento econômico. Trata-se de uma estabilidade que não responde às necessidades crescentes do sistema de saúde. No Brasil, o pacto federativo e a organização do SUS com base no município, na sua maioria com menos de 30 mil habitantes, dificulta a organização das redes de saúde e compromete a resolutividade do sistema, entendimento que reforça a necessidade de conformação de territórios de base populacional. Esses são desafios que precisam ser enfrentados e que exigem o resgate dos ideais do Movimento Sanitário Brasileiro. O momento exige uma ação de resistência, em defesa do SUS, para assegurar a garantia da universalidade, indiscutivelmente a maior conquista social da população brasileira.

Abstract Since the establishment of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), important challenges remain to guarantee the right to health in the country. This theoretical reflection on the organization of SUS was based on interviews with social and health policy actors in the country, analysis of indicators related to municipalities, population, healthcare network and financing of the health system and from a critical yet not systematic foundation, guided by the conceptual framework of universalization, public oversight, financing of needs and decentralization of SUS. Universal health systems are considered as the most responsive to the population's needs. However, underfinancing challenges their consolidation, with a nearly unchanged percentage of federal spending as a portion of gross domestic product (GDP), despite the actual growth of the total expenditure on health between 2000 and 2012, which reflects economic growth. A stability that does not respond to the growing needs of the health system. In Brazil, the federative pact and the organization of SUS based on the municipality, mostly with less than 30 thousand inhabitants, hinder the organization of health networks, compromising the system's resolution, an understanding that reinforces the need for conformation of population-based territories. These are challenges that need to be addressed and that demand the recovery of the ideals of the Brazilian Sanitary Movement. The moment requires a resistance action, in defense of SUS, to ensure universality, unquestionably the greatest social achievement of the Brazilian population.