84 research outputs found
Data access, a driver of innovation in the biophanrmaceutical sector: a focus on rheumatoid arthritis
No full textThesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2018.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-69).The World Health Organization recognizes health data and access to medicines as key ingredients for a well-functioning health system, alongside governance, human resources, infrastructure and financing. Considering the interaction and interdependencies across the various components of the health system, decision makers would need to focus on data trends from different sources within the healthcare system in order to draw instructive lessons to improve health. This is particularly true in the biopharmaceutical industry where safety, efficacy and effectiveness of medicines is a paramount consideration. Collaboration among different stakeholders to improve data access is vital in generating the much needed evidence to drive innovation across the healthcare system. Notably, the biopharmaceutical industry could leverage improved access to data to accelerate discovery of novel medicines, maximize the potential for clinical and commercial success of products and ensure improved access to effective. The shift towards value based care has seen increased demand for data, which has led to the emergence of different models for data access, ranging from data vendors to federations of multiple stakeholders, working jointly to improve the evidence base for decision making. In various settings, federated models, have particularly demonstrated useful attributes that are essential in promoting broader data access within the healthcare ecosystem. However, development of data access models should not be seen as a destination but as a process that is to be continually improved and adapted to meet the needs and demands of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Overall, this process should be intimately anchored on the primary objective of improving patient health.by Tom Achoki.M.B.A
Revisiting Health System Performance Assessment in Africa
No full textHealth systems in Africa have long faced a huge burden of disease, amidst pressing resource constraints. However, despite the constraints, the last three decades have seen the region make progress in tackling some of the most critical health challenges. Notably, many countries have registered improvements in child survival, which could be attributable to the rapid expansion of priority health interventions such as childhood immunizations, nutritional supplementation, malaria prevention and treatment, among others. HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, that ravaged the region are also being addressed, by scaling up prevention and treatment programs. Despite the progress, much remains to be done. For instance, under-5 mortality rates in many countries still remains unacceptably high. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes are also increasingly becoming dominant as contributors of health loss in many countries. Associated risk factors such as high caloric intake, obesity and low physical activity have also been shown to be on the increase in many countries, raising the scepter of a double burden of disease in the region. Responsive health systems have to be aware of these trends and seek to address emerging challenges comprehensively. In our thesis, we have revisited the key considerations for health system performance assessment, contextualized to the on-going public health debates in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Overall, we have underpinned our analysis on the generally accepted premise that effective health systems are supposed to improve health, in ways that are responsive and financially fair, and make the best and most efficient use of the available resources. In the process of improving population health, it is recommended that health systems should also ensure equity. Furthermore, as an intermediate step towards improving health, those in need, should have access to (both physically and financially) the essential medicines, health technologies and services that they require
The imperative for systems thinking to promote access to medicines, efficient delivery, and cost-effectiveness when implementing health financing reforms: a qualitative study
No full textThe imperative for systems thinking to promote access to medicines, efficient delivery, and cost-effectiveness when implementing health financing reforms: a qualitative study
No full text
Population health trends analysis and burden of disease profile observed in Sierra Leone from 1990 to 2017
No full textBACKGROUND: Sierra Leone, in West Africa, is one of the poorest developing countries in the world. Sierra Leone has experienced several recent challenges namely, a civil war from 1991 to 2002, a massive Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016, followed by floods and landslides in 2017.In this study, we quantified the burden of disease in Sierra Leone over a 27-year period, from 1990 to 2017. METHODOLOGY: In this descriptive study, we analysed secondary data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We quantified patterns of burden of disease, injuries, and risk factors in Sierra Leone. We report GBD data and metrics including mortality rates, years of life lost and risk factors for all ages and both sexes from 1990 to 2017. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2017, trends of mortality rates for all ages and sexes have declined in Sierra Leone although mortality rates remain some of the highest when compared to other developing countries. The burden of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) diseases are greater than the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to the prevalence of endemic diseases in Sierra Leone. The most important CMNNs associated with premature mortality included respiratory infections, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and HIV-Aids. Life expectancy has increased from 37 to 52 years. CONCLUSION: Sierra Leone’s health status is gradually improving following the civil war and Ebola outbreak. Sierra Leone has a double burden of disease with CMNNs leading and NCDs progressively increasing. Despite these challenges, Sierra Leone has promising initiatives and programs pursuing the Universal Health Coverage 2030 Sustainable Developmental Goals Agenda. There is need for accountability of available resources, clear rules and expected roles for non-governmental organisations to ensure a level playing field for all actors to rebuild the health system. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14104-w
Health trends, inequalities and opportunities in South Africa’s provinces, 1990–2019: Findings from the Global burden of disease 2019 Study
No full textOver the last 30 years, South Africa
has experienced four ’colliding epidemics’ of HIV and
tuberculosis, chronic illness and mental health, injury and
violence, and maternal, neonatal, and child mortality,
which have had substantial effects on health and
well-being. Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of
Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2019),
we evaluated national and provincial health trends and
progress towards important Sustainable Development
Goal targets from 1990 to 2019.We analysed GBD 2019 estimates of
mortality, non-fatal health loss, summary health
measures and risk factor burden, comparing trends
over 1990–2007 and 2007–2019. Additionally, we
decomposed changes in life expectancy by cause of
death and assessed healthcare system performance
Effectiveness of community participation in tuberculosis control
No full textTuberculosis (TB) has re-emerged as an important global public health issue, particularly with the
advent of HIV and AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of TB in the world, estimated at over 350 cases per 100 000. With many of its provinces being rural and
characterised by limited access to health services, South Africa ranked fifth globally among high TB burden countries in 2007. In low-resource settings where health systems barely cope with increased disease burdens, community participation has come to the fore as a pivotal measure for successful programming
Revisiting Health System Performance Assessment in Africa
No full textHealth systems in Africa have long faced a huge burden of disease, amidst pressing resource constraints. However, despite the constraints, the last three decades have seen the region make progress in tackling some of the most critical health challenges. Notably, many countries have registered improvements in child survival, which could be attributable to the rapid expansion of priority health interventions such as childhood immunizations, nutritional supplementation, malaria prevention and treatment, among others. HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, that ravaged the region are also being addressed, by scaling up prevention and treatment programs. Despite the progress, much remains to be done. For instance, under-5 mortality rates in many countries still remains unacceptably high. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes are also increasingly becoming dominant as contributors of health loss in many countries. Associated risk factors such as high caloric intake, obesity and low physical activity have also been shown to be on the increase in many countries, raising the scepter of a double burden of disease in the region. Responsive health systems have to be aware of these trends and seek to address emerging challenges comprehensively. In our thesis, we have revisited the key considerations for health system performance assessment, contextualized to the on-going public health debates in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Overall, we have underpinned our analysis on the generally accepted premise that effective health systems are supposed to improve health, in ways that are responsive and financially fair, and make the best and most efficient use of the available resources. In the process of improving population health, it is recommended that health systems should also ensure equity. Furthermore, as an intermediate step towards improving health, those in need, should have access to (both physically and financially) the essential medicines, health technologies and services that they require
Locked Down: Economic and Health Effects of COVID-19 Response on Residents of a South African Township
No full textBACKGROUND: Little research has examined how pandemics affect residents in under-resourced communities. This study investigated how COVID-19 and lockdown policies affected residents of Alexandra, one of Johannesburg, South Africa’s lowest-income townships. METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey May 11–22, 2020, while the lockdown and alcohol ban were in effect, of a spatially stratified sample of 353 adult Alexandra residents drawn randomly from voter registration, credit card application, and prior studies’ sampling frames. We examined economic consequences; health experiences, including COVID-19 exposure and mental health symptoms; alcohol use; and personal experiences with violence. RESULTS: Respondents were aged 18 to 89 and 47% female. About 70% of those employed before the lockdown were no longer working. Over half of households lost at least one source of income. About 50% of respondents reported stockpiling food. A majority reported price rises and declines in availability of food. Smaller percentages reported such changes for other items. Over 80% reported stress or anxiety, or depression due to the pandemic. The prevalence of past-week alcohol use fell from over 50% before the lockdown to less than 10% during the lockdown. Self-reported physical violence victimization increased. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 and the lockdown disrupted Alexandra residents’ lives through unemployment, lost income, mental health problems, and increased violence. The differences between these outcomes and those in more advantaged communities deserve investigation. Research should also seek to identify tailored responses to effectively address the challenges of marginalized communities that often have limited resources to deal with pandemics and policies to contain them
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