Activities used by evidence networks to promote evidence-informed decision-making in the health sector- a rapid evidence review.

BACKGROUND: Evidence networks facilitate the exchange of information and foster international relationships among researchers and stakeholders. These networks are instrumental in enabling the integration of scientific evidence into decision-making processes. While there is a global emphasis on evidence-based decision-making at policy and organisational levels, there exists a significant gap in our understanding of the most effective activities to exchange scientific knowledge and use it in practice. The objective of this rapid review was to explore the strategies employed by evidence networks to facilitate the translation of evidence into decision-making processes. This review makes a contribution to global health policymaking by mapping the landscape of knowledge translation in this context and identifying the evidence translation activities that evidence networks have found effective. METHODS: The review was guided by standardised techniques for conducting rapid evidence reviews. Document searching was based on a phased approach, commencing with a comprehensive initial search strategy and progressively refining it with each subsequent search iterations. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was followed. RESULTS: The review identified 143 articles, after screening 1135 articles. Out of these, 35 articles were included in the review. The studies encompassed a diverse range of countries, with the majority originating from the United States (n = 14), followed by Canada (n = 5), Sweden (n = 2), and various other single locations (n = 14). These studies presented a varied set of implementation strategies such as research-related activities, the creation of teams/task forces/partnerships, meetings/consultations, mobilising/working with communities, influencing policy, activity evaluation, training, trust-building, and regular meetings, as well as community-academic-policymaker engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence networks play a crucial role in developing, sharing, and implementing high-quality research for policy. These networks face challenges like coordinating diverse stakeholders, international collaboration, language barriers, research consistency, knowledge dissemination, capacity building, evaluation, and funding. To enhance their impact, sharing network efforts with wider audiences, including local, national, and international agencies, is essential for evidence-based decision-making to shape evidence-informed policies and programmes effectively.

Matching the right study design to decision-maker questions: Results from a Delphi study.

Research evidence can play an important role in each stage of decision-making, evidence-support systems play a key role in aligning the demand for and supply of evidence. This paper provides guidance on what type of study designs most suitably address questions asked by decision-makers. This study used a two-round online Delphi approach, including methodological experts in different areas, disciplines, and geographic locations. Participants prioritized study designs for each of 40 different types of question, with a Kendall's W greater than 0.6 and reaching statistical significance (p<0.05) considered as a consensus. For each type of question, we sorted the final rankings based on their median ranks and interquartile ranges, and listed the four study designs with the highest median ranks. Participants provided 29 answers in the two rounds of the Delphi, and reached a consensus for 28 (out of the 40) questions (eight in the first round and 20 in the second). Participants achieved a consensus for 8 of 15 questions in stage I (clarifying a societal problem, its causes, and potential impacts), 12 of 13 in stage II (finding options to address a problem) and four of six in each of stages III (implementing or scaling-up an option) and IV (monitoring implementation and evaluating impact). This paper provides guidance on what study designs are more suitable to give insights on 28 different types of questions. Decision-makers, evidence intermediaries (, researchers and funders can use this guidance to make better decisions on what type of study design to commission, use or fund when answering specific needs.

What are the best methods for rapid reviews of the research evidence? A systematic review of reviews and primary studies.

Rapid review methodology aims to facilitate faster conduct of systematic reviews to meet the needs of the decision-maker, while also maintaining quality and credibility. This systematic review aimed to determine the impact of different methodological shortcuts for undertaking rapid reviews on the risk of bias (RoB) of the results of the review. Review stages for which reviews and primary studies were sought included the preparation of a protocol, question formulation, inclusion criteria, searching, selection, data extraction, RoB assessment, synthesis, and reporting. We searched 11 electronic databases in April 2022, and conducted some supplementary searching. Reviewers worked in pairs to screen, select, extract data, and assess the RoB of included reviews and studies. We included 15 systematic reviews, 7 scoping reviews, and 65 primary studies. We found that several commonly used shortcuts in rapid reviews are likely to increase the RoB in the results. These include restrictions based on publication date, use of a single electronic database as a source of studies, and use of a single reviewer for screening titles and abstracts, selecting studies based on the full-text, and for extracting data. Authors of rapid reviews should be transparent in reporting their use of these shortcuts and acknowledge the possibility of them causing bias in the results. This review also highlights shortcuts that can save time without increasing the risk of bias. Further research is needed for both systematic and rapid reviews on faster methods for accurate data extraction and RoB assessment, and on development of more precise search strategies.

Conceptual approaches in combating health inequity: A scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: What are the different ways in which health equity can be sought through policy and programs? Although there is a central focus on health equity in global and public health, we recognize that stakeholders can understand health equity as taking different approaches and that there is not a single conceptual approach. However, information on conceptual categories of actions to improve health equity and/or reduce health inequity is scarce. Therefore, this study asks the research question: "what conceptual approaches exist in striving for health equity and/or reducing health inequity?" with the aim of presenting a comprehensive overview of approaches. METHODS: A scoping review will be undertaken following the PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and in consultation with a research librarian. Both the peer-reviewed and grey literatures will be searched using: Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, PAIS Index (ProQuest), JSTOR, Canadian Public Documents Collection, the World Health Organization IRIS (Institutional Repository for Information Sharing), and supplemented by a Google Advanced Search. Screening will be conducted by two independent reviewers and data will be charted, coded, and narratively synthesized. DISCUSSION: We anticipate developing a foundational document compiling categories of approaches and discussing the nuances inherent in each conceptualization to promote clarified and united action.

Development of a STandard reporting guideline for Evidence briefs for Policy (STEP): context and study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Evidence briefs for policy (EBP) draw on best-available data and research evidence (e.g., systematic reviews) to help clarify policy problems, frame options for addressing them, and identify implementation considerations for policymakers in a given context. An increasing number of governments, non-governmental organizations and research groups have been developing EBP on a wide variety of topics. However, the reporting characteristics of EBP vary across organizations due to a lack of internationally accepted standard reporting guidelines. This project aims to develop a STandard reporting guideline of Evidence briefs for Policy (STEP), which will encompass a reporting checklist and a STEP statement and a user manual. METHODS: We will refer to and adapt the methods recommended by the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) network. The key actions include: (1) developing a protocol; (2) establishing an international multidisciplinary STEP working group (consisting of a Coordination Team and a Delphi Panel); (3) generating an initial draft of the potential items for the STEP reporting checklist through a comprehensive review of EBP-related literature and documents; (4) conducting a modified Delphi process to select and refine the reporting checklist; (5) using the STEP to evaluate published policy briefs in different countries; (6) finalizing the checklist; (7) developing the STEP statement and the user manual (8) translating the STEP into different languages; and (9) testing the reliability through real world use. DISCUSSION: Our protocol describes the development process for STEP. It will directly address what and how information should be reported in EBP and contribute to improving their quality. The decision-makers, researchers, journal editors, evaluators, and other stakeholders who support evidence-informed policymaking through the use of mechanisms like EBP will benefit from the STEP. Registration We registered the protocol on the EQUATOR network. ( https://www.equator-network.org/library/reporting-guidelines-under-development/#84 ).

Characterising COVID-19 empirical research production in Latin America and the Caribbean: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic has struck Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) particularly hard. One of the crucial areas in the international community's response relates to accelerating research and knowledge sharing. The aim of this article is to map and characterise the existing empirical research related to COVID-19 in LAC countries and contribute to identify opportunities for strengthening future research. METHODS: In this scoping review, articles published between December 2019 and 11 November 2020 were selected if they included an empirical component (explicit scientific methods to collect and analyse primary data), LAC population was researched, and the research was about the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of publication status or language. MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Scielo, CENTRAL and Epistemonikos were searched. All titles and abstracts, and full texts were screened by two independent reviewers. Data from included studies was extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second independent reviewer. RESULTS: 14,406 records were found. After removing duplicates, 5,458 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 2,323 full texts were revised to finally include 1,626 empirical studies. The largest portion of research came from people/population of Brazil (54.6%), Mexico (19.1%), Colombia (11.2%), Argentina (10.4%), Peru (10.3%) and Chile (10%), while Caribbean countries concentrated 15.3%. The methodologies most used were cross-sectional studies (34.7%), simulation models (17.5%) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (13.6%). Using a modified version of WHO's COVID-19 Coordinated Global Research Roadmap classification, 54.2% were epidemiological studies, followed by clinical management (22.3%) and candidate therapeutics (12.2%). Government and public funds support were reported in 19.2% of studies, followed by universities or research centres (9%), but 47.5% did not include any funding statement. CONCLUSION: During the first part of the COVID-19 pandemic, LAC countries have contributed to the global research effort primarily with epidemiological studies, with little participation on vaccines research, meaning that this type of knowledge would be imported from elsewhere. Research agendas could be further coordinated aiming to enhance shared self-sufficiency regarding knowledge needs in the region.

Lessons learned from descriptions and evaluations of knowledge translation platforms supporting evidence-informed policy-making in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge translation (KT) platforms are organisations, initiatives and networks that focus on supporting evidence-informed policy-making at least in part about the health-system arrangements that determine whether the right programmes, services and products get to those who need them. Many descriptions and evaluations of KT platforms in low- and middle-income countries have been produced but, to date, they have not been systematically reviewed. METHODS: We identified potentially relevant studies through a search of five electronic databases and a variety of approaches to identify grey literature. We used four criteria to select eligible empirical studies. We extracted data about seven characteristics of included studies and about key findings. We used explicit criteria to assess study quality. In synthesising the findings, we gave greater attention to themes that emerged from multiple studies, higher-quality studies and different contexts. RESULTS: Country was the most common jurisdictional focus of KT platforms, EVIPNet the most common name and high turnover among staff a common infrastructural feature. Evidence briefs and deliberative dialogues were the activities/outputs that were the most extensively studied and viewed as helpful, while rapid evidence services were the next most studied but only in a single jurisdiction. None of the summative evaluations used a pre-post design or a control group and, with the exception of the evaluations of the influence of briefs and dialogues on intentions to act, none of the evaluations achieved a high quality score. CONCLUSIONS: A large and growing volume of research evidence suggests that KT platforms offer promise in supporting evidence-informed policy-making in low- and middle-income countries. KT platforms should consider as next steps expanding their current, relatively limited portfolio of activities and outputs, building bridges to complementary groups, and planning for evaluations that examine 'what works' for 'what types of issues' in 'what types of contexts'.

Examining the effects of nurse practitioners on the quadruple aim

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional graduate education and experience.(1; 2) As regulated health professionals, nurse practitioners have a legislated expanded scope of practice that gives them independent authority to assess, diagnose and provide treatment.(3) This broader scope of practice includes: diagnosing and treating illness, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing certain drugs, and performing specific medical procedures.(1-4) In this role, evidence has demonstrated that NPs provide equivalent or better patient satisfaction and care than physicians, as well as no difference in quality of care or quality of life.

The implementation of the bioequivalence certification policy in Chile: An analysis of market authorization data.

BACKGROUND: Affordability is a key barrier to access to medicines. Generic medicines policies can address this barrier and promote access. Successful uptake of generic medicines depends, in part, on ensuring that these products are interchangeable with reference products. Typically, bioequivalence certification is established in order to demonstrate such interchangeability. OBJECTIVE: To study the implementation of the bioequivalence certification policy in Chile. METHODS: We used Chilean Market Regulatory Authority data for analysis to study the number of products that obtained bioequivalence certification, the time until bioequivalence certification and associated factors to obtain bioequivalence. RESULTS: As of January 2017, out of 2,336 products with a valid market authorization containing at least one of the 167 APIs that required BE certification, 1,026 products actually have BE certification (1,026/2,336, 43.9% compliance). Where data were available, the time between submission of the market authorization as a bioequivalent product to final authorization by the national medicine regulatory authority for most products varied between 4-6 months. The fraction of all BE products containing a given API out of the total marketed products containing that API varies considerably, e.g. for the API olmesartan there was only a single BE product marketed, the API diclofenac had none. CONCLUSIONS: Although the implementation of Chile's bioequivalence policy increased the number of bioequivalent products, over 50% of generic products requiring bioequivalence that did not obtain this certification. Also for some of the API none or very few BE products are marketed which limits the success of a substitution policy. Further studies are required to identify the apparent lack of incentives to obtain bioequivalence certification. Studies of sales volumes and prices of the products are needed to identify whether generic products without bioequivalence certification either become bioequivalent or eventually exit the market.

The implementation of the bioequivalence certification policy in Chile: an analysis of market authorization data

Affordability is a key barrier to access to medicines. Generic medicines policies can address this barrier and promote access. Successful uptake of generic medicines depends, in part, on ensuring that these products are interchangeable with reference products. Typically, bioequivalence certification is established in order to demonstrate such interchangeability. To study the implementation of the bioequivalence certification policy in Chile. We used Chilean Market Regulatory Authority data for analysis to study the number of products that obtained bioequivalence certification, the time until bioequivalence certification and associated factors to obtain bioequivalence. As of January 2017, out of 2,336 products with a valid market authorization containing at least one of the 167 APIs that required BE certification, 1,026 products actually have BE certification (1,026/2,336, 43.9% compliance). Where data were available, the time between submission of the market authorization as a bioequivalent product to final authorization by the national medicine regulatory authority for most products varied between 4-6 months. The fraction of all BE products containing a given API out of the total marketed products containing that API varies considerably, e.g. for the API olmesartan there was only a single BE product marketed, the API diclofenac had none. Although the implementation of Chile's bioequivalence policy increased the number of bioequivalent products, over 50% of generic products requiring bioequivalence that did not obtain this certification. Also for some of the API none or very few BE products are marketed which limits the success of a substitution policy. Further studies are required to identify the apparent lack of incentives to obtain bioequivalence certification. Studies of sales volumes and prices of the products are needed to identify whether generic products without bioequivalence certification either become bioequivalent or eventually exit the market.

Evaluation of the effects of a generic substitution policy implemented in Chile

Chile implemented a generic substitution policy in 2014 to improve access to medicines. This study aims to measure if the generic substitution policy had an effect on the sales volume and prices of referent and the branded generic products with demonstrated bioequivalence (BEQ) in the private pharmaceutical market. The volume and total private sales of medicines sold at private sector retail outlets between November 2011 and October 2016 were considered in the analysis. We calculated the total number of daily defined doses (DDD) by adding up the number of DDDs of different presentations with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). We determined the ratio of the median prices of all BEQ per DDD presentations compared with the median price of the corresponding referent presentations per DDD in 2011 and 2016. Sixteen APIs representing 231 different conventional-release presentations were included in the analysis. Overall, the volume of sales of the referent products decreased over time after the intervention. However, this reduction was not mirrored by an increase in the corresponding branded generic BEQ volumes overall. In all cases, the median price per DDD of the referent was higher than its BEQ counterpart in 2011 and 2016. Since referent products are more costly than branded BEQ generic products, reducing their consumption-and increasing the BEQ availability-should improve access to medicines in Chile. However, this must be accompanied by promotion of BEQ products to ensure savings for consumers in the long term. Future research should focus on identifying facilitating and inhibiting factors of generic substitution.

Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile

[ABSTRACT]. Overweight and obesity are a global epidemic with rates having risen to alarming levels in both developed and developing countries. Chile has been no exemption, with sharp increases in obesity prevalence, especially among school-age children. This paper describes the policy actions and strategies implemented to tackle this major public health concern in Chile over the last 10 years, and highlights the main challenges and nuances of the process. Chile has taken policy action that includes front-of-package labelling, advertising regulations, and school-food restrictions. New policies focus on the social determinants of health as they relate to food environments and people’s behavior. These actions are not only suitable to the current context in Chile, but are also supported by the best available scientific evidence. Moreover, the implementation of these policies has produced a broad debate involving public institutions and the food industry, with discussions issues ranging from property rights to trade barriers. Despite some differences among stakeholders, a valuable political consensus has been achieved, and several international organizations are eager to evaluate the impact of these pioneer initiatives in Latin America.

[RESUMEN]. El sobrepeso y la obesidad son una epidemia mundial, en la que se registran tasas que han aumentado hasta niveles alarmantes tanto en los países desarrollados como en los países en desarrollo. Chile no ha sido una excepción, con aumentos pronunciados de la prevalencia de la obesidad, especialmente en los niños en edad escolar. En este documento se describen las políticas y estrategias aplicadas para luchar contra este grave problema de salud pública en Chile durante los 10 últimos años, y se resaltan los principales retos y matices del proceso. Chile ha tomado medidas de política que incluyen el etiquetado frontal de los envases, la reglamentación de la publicidad y restricciones en cuanto a la alimentación en las escuelas. Las nuevas políticas se centran en los determinantes sociales de la salud pues guardan relación con el entorno en cuanto a la alimentación y el comportamiento de las personas. Estas medidas no solo son apropiadas para el contexto actual de Chile, sino que también se basan en las mejores pruebas científicas de que se dispone. Por otro lado, la aplicación de estas políticas ha generado un amplio debate con las instituciones públicas y la industria alimentaria, cuyos temas de discusión abarcan desde derechos de propiedad hasta barreras comerciales. A pesar de algunas diferencias entre los interesados directos, se ha logrado un valioso consenso político y varias organizaciones internacionales están dispuestas a evaluar la repercusión de estas iniciativas pioneras en América Latina.

[RESUMO]. O sobrepeso e a obesidade constituem uma epidemia global atingindo níveis alarmantes nos países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. O Chile não é exceção: o país tem registrado uma elevação acentuada da prevalência de obesidade, sobretudo em crianças em idade escolar. Este artigo descreve as medidas envolvendo políticas e estratégias implantadas no Chile na última década para combater este importante problema de saúde pública e destaca os principais desafios e as particularidades do processo. O país adotou políticas para rotulagem nutricional na parte da frente da embalagem dos produtos alimentícios, regulamentação da publicidade e restrições aos alimentos servidos em escolas. As novas políticas são direcionadas aos determinantes sociais da saúde por estarem associados aos ambientes e aos comportamentos alimentares da população. Além de serem adaptadas ao contexto atual do Chile, estas medidas se embasam nas melhores evidências científicas. A execução destas políticas deu início a um amplo debate entre as instituições públicas e a indústria de produtos alimentícios envolvendo de questões sobre direitos de propriedade às barreiras comerciais. Apesar das suas posições divergentes sobre alguns aspectos, os interessados diretos chegaram a um consenso político importante. As organizações internacionais esperam agora conhecer o resultado da avaliação do impacto dessas iniciativas pioneiras na América Latina.

Manual metodológico sobre síntesis rápidas de evidencia para informar políticas de salud

Se presenta un manual metodológico para el desarrollo de síntesis rápidas de evidencia para informar políticas de salud, abarcando las principales etapas del proceso: formulación y clarificación de la pregunta; búsqueda de evidencia; selección de evidencia; extracción y utilización de datos; evaluación de la certeza de los desenlaces incorporados; preparación del informe; y revisión por pares.

The Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) in Chile: lessons learned from a year of coordinated efforts / A Rede de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) no Chile: lições aprendidas com um ano de esforço coordenado / La Red de Políticas Informadas por la Evidencia (EVIPNet) en Chile: enseñanzas extraídas en un año de esfuerzos coordinados

Informing the health policymaking process with the best available scientific evidence has become relevant to health systems globally. Knowledge Translation Platforms (KTP), such as the World Health Organization’s Evidence Informed Policy Networks (EVIPNet), are a recognized strategy for linking research to action. This report describes the experience of implementing EVIPNet in Chile, from its objectives, organizational structure, strategy, activities, and main outputs, to its evolution over the course of its first year. Lessons learned are also covered. Of the activities initiated by EVIPNet-Chile, the Rapid Response Service proved to be a good starting point for engaging policymakers. Capacity building workshops and policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders were also successful. Additionally, EVIPNet-Chile developed a model for engaging academic institutions in policymaking through a network focused on preparing evidence briefs. A number of challenges, such as changing methods for producing rapid evidence syntheses, were also identified. This KTP implementation model located in a Ministry of Health could contribute to the development of similar initiatives in other health systems.

Fundamentar o processo de formulação de políticas de saúde com as melhores evidências científicas disponíveis tornou-se indispensável nos sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo. As plataformas de tradução de conhecimento, como as Redes de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), são parte de uma estratégia comprovada para vincular a pesquisa à ação. Este informe descreve a experiência de implantação da EVIPNet no Chile: dos objetivos, estrutura organizacional, estratégia, atividades e principais resultados à evolução ao longo do primeiro ano de atividade. As lições aprendidas são também apresentadas. Das atividades iniciadas pela EVIPNet-Chile, o Serviço de Resposta Rápida mostrou ser um bom ponto de partida para atrair a participação dos formuladores de políticas. Os seminários de capacitação e os colóquios sobre políticas com os interessados relevantes renderam bons resultados. Além disso, a EVIPNet-Chile elaborou um modelo para atrair a participação das instituições acadêmicas na formulação de políticas com uma rede dedicada ao preparo de resumos de evidências. Um dos muitos desafios identificados é modificar os métodos para produzir sínteses rápidas de evidências. Este modelo de implantação da plataforma de tradução de conhecimento sediado em um ministério da saúde poderia contribuir para a elaboração de iniciativas semelhantes em outros sistemas de saúde.

Para los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial se ha vuelto cada vez más importante contar con la mejor evidencia disponible como información para el proceso de formulación de políticas de salud. Las plataformas de traducción del conocimiento, como la Red de Políticas Informadas por la Evidencia (EVIPNet, por su sigla en inglés) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, son estrategias reconocidas para vincular la investigación a la acción. En este informe se describe la experiencia de la utilización de EVIPNet en Chile, sus objetivos, estructura orgánica, estrategia, actividades y resultados principales de su evolución en el curso de su primer año. Se incluyen asimismo las enseñanzas extraídas. De las actividades iniciadas por EVIPNet en Chile, el servicio de respuesta rápida resultó ser un buen punto de partida para interesar a los responsables de las políticas. También fueron exitosos los talleres que se llevaron a cabo sobre creación de capacidades y los diálogos de política con los interesados directos pertinentes. Además, EVIPNet en Chile elaboró un modelo para invitar a instituciones académicas a participar en el proceso de formulación de políticas por medio de una red centrada en la preparación de resúmenes de datos científicos. Se encontraron también varios retos, como el cambio de métodos para producir síntesis rápidas de datos científicos. Este modelo de aplicación de plataformas de traducción del conocimiento, ubicado en un Ministerio de Salud, podría contribuir al desarrollo de iniciativas similares en otros sistemas de salud.

Evaluation of the effects of a generic substitution policy implemented in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Chile implemented a generic substitution policy in 2014 to improve access to medicines. This study aims to measure if the generic substitution policy had an effect on the sales volume and prices of referent and the branded generic products with demonstrated bioequivalence (BEQ) in the private pharmaceutical market. METHODS: The volume and total private sales of medicines sold at private sector retail outlets between November 2011 and October 2016 were considered in the analysis. We calculated the total number of daily defined doses (DDD) by adding up the number of DDDs of different presentations with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). We determined the ratio of the median prices of all BEQ per DDD presentations compared with the median price of the corresponding referent presentations per DDD in 2011 and 2016. Sixteen APIs representing 231 different conventional-release presentations were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Overall, the volume of sales of the referent products decreased over time after the intervention. However, this reduction was not mirrored by an increase in the corresponding branded generic BEQ volumes overall. In all cases, the median price per DDD of the referent was higher than its BEQ counterpart in 2011 and 2016. CONCLUSION: Since referent products are more costly than branded BEQ generic products, reducing their consumption-and increasing the BEQ availability-should improve access to medicines in Chile. However, this must be accompanied by promotion of BEQ products to ensure savings for consumers in the long term. Future research should focus on identifying facilitating and inhibiting factors of generic substitution.

The Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) in Chile: lessons learned from a year of coordinated efforts.

Informing the health policymaking process with the best available scientific evidence has become relevant to health systems globally. Knowledge Translation Platforms (KTP), such as the World Health Organization's Evidence Informed Policy Networks (EVIPNet), are a recognized strategy for linking research to action. This report describes the experience of implementing EVIPNet in Chile, from its objectives, organizational structure, strategy, activities, and main outputs, to its evolution over the course of its first year. Lessons learned are also covered. Of the activities initiated by EVIPNet-Chile, the Rapid Response Service proved to be a good starting point for engaging policymakers. Capacity building workshops and policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders were also successful. Additionally, EVIPNet-Chile developed a model for engaging academic institutions in policymaking through a network focused on preparing evidence briefs. A number of challenges, such as changing methods for producing rapid evidence syntheses, were also identified. This KTP implementation model located in a Ministry of Health could contribute to the development of similar initiatives in other health systems.

Para los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial se ha vuelto cada vez más importante contar con la mejor evidencia disponible como información para el proceso de formulación de políticas de salud. Las plataformas de traducción del conocimiento, como la Red de Políticas Informadas por la Evidencia (EVIPNet, por su sigla en inglés) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, son estrategias reconocidas para vincular la investigación a la acción.En este informe se describe la experiencia de la utilización de EVIPNet en Chile, sus objetivos, estructura orgánica, estrategia, actividades y resultados principales de su evolución en el curso de su primer año. Se incluyen asimismo las enseñanzas extraídas.De las actividades iniciadas por EVIPNet en Chile, el servicio de respuesta rápida resultó ser un buen punto de partida para interesar a los responsables de las políticas. También fueron exitosos los talleres que se llevaron a cabo sobre creación de capacidades y los diálogos de política con los interesados directos pertinentes. Además, EVIPNet en Chile elaboró un modelo para invitar a instituciones académicas a participar en el proceso de formulación de políticas por medio de una red centrada en la preparación de resúmenes de datos científicos. Se encontraron también varios retos, como el cambio de métodos para producir síntesis rápidas de datos científicos. Este modelo de aplicación de plataformas de traducción del conocimiento, ubicado en un Ministerio de Salud, podría contribuir al desarrollo de iniciativas similares en otros sistemas de salud.

Fundamentar o processo de formulação de políticas de saúde com as melhores evidências científicas disponíveis tornou-se indispensável nos sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo. As plataformas de tradução de conhecimento, como as Redes de Políticas Informadas por Evidências (EVIPNet) da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), são parte de uma estratégia comprovada para vincular a pesquisa à ação.Este informe descreve a experiência de implantação da EVIPNet no Chile: dos objetivos, estrutura organizacional, estratégia, atividades e principais resultados à evolução ao longo do primeiro ano de atividade. As lições aprendidas são também apresentadas.Das atividades iniciadas pela EVIPNet-Chile, o Serviço de Resposta Rápida mostrou ser um bom ponto de partida para atrair a participação dos formuladores de políticas. Os seminários de capacitação e os colóquios sobre políticas com os interessados relevantes renderam bons resultados. Além disso, a EVIPNet-Chile elaborou um modelo para atrair a participação das instituições acadêmicas na formulação de políticas com uma rede dedicada ao preparo de resumos de evidências. Um dos muitos desafios identificados é modificar os métodos para produzir sínteses rápidas de evidências. Este modelo de implantação da plataforma de tradução de conhecimento sediado em um ministério da saúde poderia contribuir para a elaboração de iniciativas semelhantes em outros sistemas de saúde.

Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile.

Overweight and obesity are a global epidemic with rates having risen to alarming levels in both developed and developing countries. Chile has been no exemption, with sharp increases in obesity prevalence, especially among school-age children. This paper describes the policy actions and strategies implemented to tackle this major public health concern in Chile over the last 10 years, and highlights the main challenges and nuances of the process. Chile has taken policy action that includes front-of-package labelling, advertising regulations, and school-food restrictions. New policies focus on the social determinants of health as they relate to food environments and people's behavior. These actions are not only suitable to the current context in Chile, but are also supported by the best available scientific evidence. Moreover, the implementation of these policies has produced a broad debate involving public institutions and the food industry, with discussions issues ranging from property rights to trade barriers. Despite some differences among stakeholders, a valuable political consensus has been achieved, and several international organizations are eager to evaluate the impact of these pioneer initiatives in Latin America.

El sobrepeso y la obesidad son una epidemia mundial, en la que se registran tasas que han aumentado hasta niveles alarmantes tanto en los países desarrollados como en los países en desarrollo. Chile no ha sido una excepción, con aumentos pronunciados de la prevalencia de la obesidad, especialmente en los niños en edad escolar. En este documento se describen las políticas y estrategias aplicadas para luchar contra este grave problema de salud pública en Chile durante los 10 últimos años, y se resaltan los principales retos y matices del proceso. Chile ha tomado medidas de política que incluyen el etiquetado frontal de los envases, la reglamentación de la publicidad y restricciones en cuanto a la alimentación en las escuelas. Las nuevas políticas se centran en los determinantes sociales de la salud pues guardan relación con el entorno en cuanto a la alimentación y el comportamiento de las personas. Estas medidas no solo son apropiadas para el contexto actual de Chile, sino que también se basan en las mejores pruebas científicas de que se dispone. Por otro lado, la aplicación de estas políticas ha generado un amplio debate con las instituciones públicas y la industria alimentaria, cuyos temas de discusión abarcan desde derechos de propiedad hasta barreras comerciales. A pesar de algunas diferencias entre los interesados directos, se ha logrado un valioso consenso político y varias organizaciones internacionales están dispuestas a evaluar la repercusión de estas iniciativas pioneras en América Latina.

O sobrepeso e a obesidade constituem uma epidemia global atingindo níveis alarmantes nos países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. O Chile não é exceção: o país tem registrado uma elevação acentuada da prevalência de obesidade, sobretudo em crianças em idade escolar. Este artigo descreve as medidas envolvendo políticas e estratégias implantadas no Chile na última década para combater este importante problema de saúde pública e destaca os principais desafios e as particularidades do processo. O país adotou políticas para rotulagem nutricional na parte da frente da embalagem dos produtos alimentícios, regulamentação da publicidade e restrições aos alimentos servidos em escolas. As novas políticas são direcionadas aos determinantes sociais da saúde por estarem associados aos ambientes e aos comportamentos alimentares da população. Além de serem adaptadas ao contexto atual do Chile, estas medidas se embasam nas melhores evidências científicas. A execução destas políticas deu início a um amplo debate entre as instituições públicas e a indústria de produtos alimentícios envolvendo de questões sobre direitos de propriedade às barreiras comerciais. Apesar das suas posições divergentes sobre alguns aspectos, os interessados diretos chegaram a um consenso político importante. As organizações internacionais esperam agora conhecer o resultado da avaliação do impacto dessas iniciativas pioneiras na América Latina.

Using evidence-informed policies to tackle overweight and obesity in Chile

Overweight and obesity are a global epidemic with rates having risen to alarming levels in both developed and developing countries. Chile has been no exemption, with sharp increases in obesity prevalence, especially among school-age children. This paper describes the policy actions and strategies implemented to tackle this major public health concern in Chile over the last 10 years, and highlights the main challenges and nuances of the process. Chile has taken policy action that includes front-of-package labelling, advertising regulations, and school-food restrictions. New policies focus on the social determinants of health as they relate to food environments and people's behavior. These actions are not only suitable to the current context in Chile, but are also supported by the best available scientific evidence. Moreover, the implementation of these policies has produced a broad debate involving public institutions and the food industry, with discussions issues ranging from property rights to trade barriers. Despite some differences among stakeholders, a valuable political consensus has been achieved, and several international organizations are eager to evaluate the impact of these pioneer initiatives in Latin America.