Dear HIFA members
Many thanks to those who responded to my request, posted at the end of April, in regard to an article being prepared on behalf of the HIFA Steering Group about how universal access to essential healthcare information is a prerequisite for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and how its potential to accelerate progress toward UHC and other Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) health targets should be recognised and acted upon internationally.
There are still a few gaps to fill, notably:
1. For robust QUANTITATIVE examples, particularly from published control studies or systematic reviews, of the impact that access to essential healthcare information by citizens, carers or frontline health workers (whether information supplied through traditional printed media or though modern communication technology e.g. mobile phones), can have on health, on health-related behaviour, or on more effective or more equitable use of health services,
ESPECIALLY in relation to:
(a) morbidity and mortality of women during pregnancy or childbirth (SDG 3.1)
(b) morbidity and premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including mental health problems (SDG 3.4)
2. For compelling QUALITATIVE examples, particularly at an individual or family level, illustrating the impact that access to essential healthcare information (whether using traditional or more modern communication methods) by citizens, carers or frontline health workers can have on health, on health-related behaviour, or on more effective or more equitable use of health services, in ANY of the SDG3 health target areas (maternal mortality; neonatal and under-five mortality; AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; hepatitis; water-borne diseases; non-communicable diseases; mental health; substance abuse; road traffic accidents; and sexual and reproductive health) . We are looking for eye-catching “newsworthy” stories like “The radio ‘saved my little girl’s life’” (see https://twitter.com/BBCAfrica/status/1029287205079011328 )
If you know of any examples for items 1 or 2 above please reply on the HIFA forum (and please also copy to me directly) with a reference to where details can be found, BEFORE JUNE 5TH please.
Thank you.
Geoff
HIFA profile: Geoff Royston is an Independent Health Analyst and Researcher, former Head of Strategic Analysis and Operational Research in the Department of Health for England, and Past President of the UK Operational Research Society.
