Other Health Study

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  • Publication
    Country Case Study Fiji - Containing, Mitigating, and Responding to COVID-19: Knowledge Generation and Exchange, Preparedness, and Response (March 2020 to June 2022)
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-12-18) Wilson, Donald; Rokoduru, Avelina; Waqa, Gade; Tawake, Kaminieli
    The Fiji government responded quickly and moved decisively with stringent measures following the identification of the first COVID-19 case and took various effective measures to prevent its spread. It has been quick to implement public health emergency measures including lockdowns, curfews, physical distancing, travel restrictions, and international border closures to prevent imported cases of the virus. While the Fiji government used its endorsed Health and Emergencies Disaster Management Plan (HEADMAP) and did not view the pandemic as a new concept requiring a new approach, its application remains one that is innovative and potentially transformative, especially for Fiji and the Pacific region. A total of 65,713 cases (7,426 per 100,000 population) and 866 deaths (98 per 100,000 population) have been reported up until June 30, 2022. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) in Fiji mobilized its staff to serve at designated fever clinics and isolation facilities in hospitals and communities, and it gradually increased its sentinel sites for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, with additional capacity to undertake GeneXpert COVID-19 testing. Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified in Fiji on March 19, 2020, the government of Fiji has taken proactive and effective measures, including nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as school and workplace closure, community quarantine, limiting size of meetings, restricting travel, stay-at-home guidelines for high-risk people, teleworking, closure of high risk venues, and personal hygiene measures; active surveillance and case detection; and appropriate case management using various strategies including fever clinics, contact tracing, supervision, and home quarantine to ensure safe delivery of clinical services. The pandemic has disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women, children, older people, young people, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, single and women-headed households, and poor households, with escalating rates of gender-based violence being reported. Although there are many challenges faced in adequately containing and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the lessons learned could provide valuable insights for policy makers and researchers globally.
  • Publication
    Republic of Korea – World Bank Group Partnership on COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Country Case Study: Vietnam
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-12-13) Pham, Thai Quang; Ha, Tong Thi Thu
    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented damage to the economy and health of people worldwide. It has led to considerable losses in human life and the economy, exposing underlying health system challenges and inequities. In Vietnam, too, the pandemic posed significant disruption to the economy and the health care system. This country case study documents the epidemiology of COVID-19 from January 16, 2020 (before the first case was found in Vietnam on January 23), to June 30, 2022, in Vietnam, and covers its pandemic preparedness and control policies, governance, and health care system, as well as the impact on the economy and businesses. Lessons learned in the country and challenges for better preparation for the future are described.
  • Publication
    Diagnóstico Preliminar de Sistemas de Información en Salud de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social: Prácticas y Recomendaciones
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-11-16) World Bank
    La Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) desempeña un papel crucialen el sistema de salud de Costa Rica, y en su acción recopila y gestiona una grancantidad de datos relacionados con la atención médica, los servicios de saludy la población. Estos datos constituyen un activo invaluable para la toma dedecisiones estratégicas de la institución, como la continua mejora de la calidadde la atención médica y el manejo equitativo y eficiente de los recursos disponiblespara que los beneficios para los costarricenses sean maximizados. El presente diagnóstico preliminar de los sistemas de información en salud de laCCSS se llevó a cabo con el objetivo de hacer una identificación preliminar de lasáreas de mejora y oportunidades de fortalecimiento, con especial atención alpaciente como actor central del sistema de salud. Se llevó a cabo un análisis inicialde los aspectos técnicos, legales y organizativos de la producción, administracióny gestión de datos en la CCSS, a fin de evaluar la efectividad, confiabilidad y buenasprácticas en la gobernanza de la información. Las recomendaciones incorporadas eneste trabajo se fundamentan en el Modelo de la Triple Meta, el cual se basa en elpaciente como epicentro de la atención en los servicios de salud. En este contexto,cada fase del proceso, desde la recopilación de datos hasta el diagnóstico, sedesarrolla con el claro entendimiento de que el propósito último del análisis es mejorar la experiencia del paciente y su familia. El diagnóstico se entiende en este contexto no simplemente como un ejercicio de recopilación y análisis de información, sino como una herramienta empática que busca comprender las necesidades ypreocupaciones del paciente. El análisis está intrínsecamente vinculado al bienestardel individuo como guía de las decisiones y estrategias hacia un enfoque máscentrado, humano y efectivo en el cuidado de la salud.
  • Publication
    Implementation Toolbox to Document and Analyze Primary Health Care Innovations
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-10-20) Vilar-Compte, Mireya; Villar Uribe, Manuela
    Implementation science is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on studying and promoting effective strategies for translating evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into routine practice to improve outcomes in real-world settings. It has been increasingly used to document and assess interventions, as it helps to make sense of how, when, where, and why research results and EBI are, or are not, being successfully used. When compared to traditional project design, implementation, and management of health care interventions, implementation science can add value by addressing the specific complexities and challenges associated with implementing and scaling up these interventions. More specifically, it helps to analyze and understand the contextual factors, stakeholder dynamics, and system-level barriers that can hinder the successful adoption and integration of health care interventions. In this sense, by integrating implementation science principles the World Bank can tailor strategies, develop robust implementation plans, and leverage evidence-based practices to overcome implementation problems, which is particularly useful for primary health care interventions and other interventions targeted at improving health and nutrition outcomes at scale. It is important to consider implementation strategies that are responsive to context, as they help bridge the gap between EBI and implementation outcomes. Tailoring implementation strategies to the specific context enables implementers and managers to address barriers and leverage facilitators, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.
  • Publication
    Impact of Climate Change in Health in Colombia and Recommendations for Mitigation and Adaptation
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-10-18) World Bank
    Climate change has been called the most important threat to human health in the 21st century. It is estimated that if thetemperature rises and its impact on the other climatic variablescontinues unchanged, it will kill more than 83 million people (1 percent of the world’s population) in the next 80 years (Wattset al. 2020)—13 times the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic (WorldHealth Organization 2023). Historically, only pandemics or worldwars have posed such threats to human health. As a result,the issue has aroused unprecedented attention. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared climate changethe greatest health threat facing humanity (WHO 2021). Now, more than 195 governments have included climate change mitigation and adaptation as pillars in their multi-year plans, and government health sectors have been developing plans tomeasure and respond to the impact of climate change on health. However, recognition of the links between climate change and health remains nascent, so these efforts have not yet been accompanied by strategic and actionable approaches to measure the impacts and ground the responses. This report contributes to addressing that gap by providing a framework for understandingthe impact of climate change on human health in Colombia and by outlining the most effective actions to mitigate the threat.
  • Publication
    Financing of Essential Public Health Services in the Caribbean Region: Case Study
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-21) Wang,Huihui; Theodore,Karl Lucien; Laptiste,Christine Carolyn; La Foucade,Althea Dianne; Scott,Ewan; Charmaine Metivier; Malini Maharaj; Roxanne Brizan–St. Martin; Kimberly-Ann Gittens-Baynes; Patricia Edwards-Wescott; Heather Harewood,; Vyjanti Beharry
    This study examines the expenditure by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries on the delivery of Essential Public Health Services (EPHS), in the context of the global response to COVID-19. In particular, the study focuses on financing arrangements enacted to ensure the predictability of funding and the sustainability in the level and flow of funds over the medium and long terms to carry out essential public health functions in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The study also highlights the close, synergistic relationship between the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and its Member States.
  • Publication
    Ghana’s Pharmacovigilance Experience: From Vertical Program Activity to Nationwide System
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-21) Wang, Huihui; Darko, Delese Mimi; Figueras Sune, Albert; Marquez, Patricio V.; Kumwenda, James
    The objective of this report is to examine the development of pharmacovigilance (PV) in Ghana and illustrate the role it plays in the health system, and more recently, during the COVID-19 emergency response. It concludes by offering some relevant lessons for building PV capacity in other low-and middle-income countries.
  • Publication
    Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2023 Global Monitoring Report
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-18) World Health Organization; World Bank
    Leaving no one behind is a central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes health as a fundamental human right. Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is key to delivering on this promise. UHC ensures that everyone receives good quality health services, when and where needed, without incurring financial hardship arising from payments made for those services. The 2023 Universal Health Coverage Global Monitoring Report presents an alarming picture of stagnating access to essential health services and increased financial hardship from out-of-pocket health payments affecting especially the poorest and most vulnerable people. Globally, about 4.5 billion people, more than half of the world population, lack full access to essential health services. Since 2015, health service coverage has stagnated after a dynamic increase in previous years, indicating that urgent action is required by governments to ensure people can access health services. Past progress in service coverage was largely driven by improved access to infectious disease services, but since 2015 there has been minimal to no expansion of health service coverage related to infectious and noncommunicable diseases or for reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services. Financial hardship due to out-of-pocket health spending continues to worsen and undermine efforts to eradicate poverty globally. The number of people incurring catastrophic out-of-pocket health spending (more than 10% of their household budget) increased to more than 1 billion people in 2019, or almost 14% of the global population. About 1.3 billion people (almost 17% of the global population) were pushed or further pushed into poverty by out-of-pocket health spending. This includes 344 million people living in extreme poverty. Out-of-pocket health payments reduce the ability of households to afford other essential goods and services and negatively affect a family’s consumption levels. Health costs also cause individuals to forgo essential care, which can lead to more severe illnesses or even death. Reaching the goal of UHC by 2030 requires substantial public sector investment and accelerated action by governments and development partners, building on solid evidence. This includes strengthening health systems based on a primary health care approach and advancing equity in both the delivery of essential health services and financial protection. Achieving UHC also requires modern, fit-for-purpose health information systems that provide timely and reliable data to inform policy design. Such shifts are essential following the pandemic’s impact on health systems and health workers and in view of deepening macroeconomic, climate, demographic, and political trends which threaten to reverse hard-won health gains around the world.
  • Publication
    Private Sector Engagement for Noncommunicable Disease Control in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Current Scope and Policy Options
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-14) World Bank
    This report aims to assess the current role and scope of private health care provision for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Republika Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of BiH). Over the last decade, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in the Republika Srpska and the Federal Ministry of Health have implemented municipal initiatives to reduce NCD risk factor exposure and formulate an action plan for NCD control. These efforts have been supported by development partners, including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The assessment recommends actions that the health authorities in Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH can take to better engage private providers in tackling NCDs. In mixed health systems, improving NCD prevention and control requires effective partnerships between the public and private sector and establishing an effective regulatory and financialcontext to contribute to progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
  • Publication
    The Impact of Health Taxes in Armenia
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-14) Saxena, Akshar; Chukwuma, Adanna; Qaiser, Seemi; Manookian, Armineh; Minasyan, Gevorg
    This report has been prepared by the World Bank, at the request of the MoH, to support ongoing efforts to improve population health and revenue mobilization in the sector. The study estimates the health impacts of increasing taxation on SSBs, alcohol, and tobacco across gender and income-quintiles. The revenue potential of these taxes is also explored. The target audience for these findings includes senior policymakers and technical advisers in the MoH, Ministry of Economy, and Ministry of Finance (MoF).The remainder of this report is organized as follows. In Chapter 2, the authors reviewthe current state of health and consumption taxes in Armenia. Chapter 3 outlines themethods used to estimate the change in tax revenue and consumption of alcohol,tobacco, and SSBs. Chapter 4 reports the analysis results, including the potentialadditional fiscal space and health gains. Finally, chapter 5 presents the conclusionsbased on the findings.