The Heinz Endowments’ Post

One of our most widely read articles at PLOS GPH journal! Country ownership in global health by Abdisalan M. Noor 1. Country ownership is not yours to ensure, you certainly cannot confer it 2 Do not confuse government with country, or ministry of health with the health system 3. Have a dialogue, ask questions, listen to those who live with the problem 4. ‘Evidentiary’ knowledge and control over funds create power asymmetries 5. You are a helper and an ally, accept these roles and stay true to them 6. The most important voices for change are often the quietest 7. The power of data to change minds is not simply in the ‘quality of the evidence’ but in the ‘change activism’ it catalyzes 8. One size doesn’t fit all, really! 9. Beware of the policy development addicts 10. Harvesting of national data is the silent scandal of global health https://lnkd.in/gTdbaJ-m

Resharing this piece...expand this link to read the key takeaways in the article and then consider whether you are part of the problem, or part of the solution. Excellent work. #countryownership #globalhealth

Abdisalan M. Noor, a renowned professor, wrote an excellent opinion piece on PLOS Global Public Health. The article emphasizes the critical importance of genuine country ownership in global health initiatives. It criticizes top-down approaches and emphasizes the importance of locally driven and supported sustainable health solutions, rather than those imposed by external entities. The article provides ten lessons learned over two decades in promoting ethical partnerships, advocating for equity in research, and supporting local voices, with the ultimate goal of decolonizing global health practices. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in global health. Read the full article [here](https://lnkd.in/dZv87WHF). #globalhealth #healthequity #partnerships #revolutionzing #decolonizing.

The White House has released a playbook centered on addressing social circumstances and related environmental hazards and exposures impacting health outcomes, often referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH). This guide recognizes the complex interrelationship between these factors and their impact on the well-being of individuals. It also outlines a preliminary set of structural measures taken by federal agencies to dismantle these barriers and promote equitable health outcomes for individuals and communities. The Playbook sets the stage for agencies and organizations to re-imagine new policies and actions around SDOH, both inside and outside of government. While this Playbook serves as a starting point, it does not represent a final, comprehensive strategy for addressing SDOH. These initial efforts are focused on individual and community-centered interventions with actions grouped into three pillars: (1) Expanding data gathering and sharing, (2) Supporting flexible funding to address social needs, and (3) Supporting backbone organizations. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/eF_QMUea

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. Conflicts are devastating lives, causing death, pain, hunger and psychological distress. The burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously driving the climate crisis and taking away our right to breathe clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollution claiming a life every 5 seconds. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that although at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution, only 4 countries have mentioned how to finance it. To address these types of challenges, the theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. #WorldHealthDay #impact

Action to achieve national and global health goals are facing huge financial and operational challenges impacting communities across the globe.     In this article co-authored alongside Mark Blecher, chief director at National Treasury of South Africa, Bob Fryatt, international health lead at Mott MacDonald, outlines the importance of standardising approaches and systems to attract investment and build resilient sustainable #HealthSystems: https://mottm.ac/3sXkVv7

https://lnkd.in/eUQF8fwd In case you missed it, whilst at the OBR I shot a video discussing the effects of rising health and inactivity on the public finances. This was a brief summary of a fascinating chapter I contributed to in the OBR's Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report, on the changing trends of ill health, reasons behind this and the impact on the government - that I encourage everyone to take a read of. See chapter 2: https://lnkd.in/exe6qWA7

Around the world, the right to health of millions is increasingly coming under threat. Conflicts are devastating lives, causing death, pain, hunger and psychological distress. The burning of fossil fuels is simultaneously driving the climate crisis and taking away our right to breathe clean air, with indoor and outdoor air pollution claiming a life every 5 seconds. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that although at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution, only 4 countries have mentioned how to finance it. To address these types of challenges, the theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right'. This year's theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. Source: WHO #WorldHealthDay #MyHealthMyRight

Good health is vital to national progress By Lukas Shilunga Nanyemba Health is wealth. The international community agrees that good health is of social and economic value to individuals, society and the economy in general. Good health enables the prosperous and flourishing societies that governments strive to achieve. Investing in health is a wise choice in the best of times and an urgent necessity in the worst of times. The COVID-19 pandemic tested the above to its core all over the world. https://lnkd.in/dA6b33xw

"Most – if not all – government departments have a role to play in building good health, even those that might not be first to mind." This is an interesting short read from The Health Foundation, with an interactive graphic showing how different government departments contribute to health in the UK. https://lnkd.in/emuAUdi9 It's so important to recognise the health-creating potential of multiple roles, teams and departments. And this is true in local government as much as it is at the national level - there are so many different departments that can impact the health of local people. I've been reading a bit about 'health in all policies' recently and it really does make sense to me. Transport, economic development, social care, culture, housing.....every single one has a role to play in creating health. I hope we see this approach really take off. #HealthInAllPolicies #BillOfHealth #HealthInequalities #HealthDisparities #PublicHealth #HealthCreation #CreatingHealth