Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emilie S. Koum Besson
Summary: Epistemic injustice is a growing area of study in the field of global health, and this paper fills a gap in the literature by providing a guide for analyzing epistemic injustices in funding schemes using a decolonial lens.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Logesvar Balaguru, Chen Dun, Andrea Meyer, Sanuri Hennayake, Christi Walsh, Christopher Kung, Brittany Cary, Frank Migliarese, Tinglong Dai, Ge Bai, Kathleen Sutcliffe, Martin Makary
Summary: In 2020, NIH allocated 2.0% of its budget (US$2.2 billion) for COVID-19 research among a total of 56,169 grants awarded. The most common areas of research funded were social determinants of health, immunology, and pharmaceutical interventions. The average time from funding opportunity announcement to award notice date was 151 days.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Obichukwu Iwunna, Jonathan Kennedy, Andrew Harmer
Summary: Since the 1970s, voluntary contributions have played a significant role in WHO's budget. However, there are concerns that donor-specified funding has led to a diversion of focus and undermined WHO's democratic structures. The share of voluntary contributions has steadily increased, with high-income countries being the main contributors.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Arianna Gentilini, Iva Parvanova
Summary: This study aimed to assess the relationship between funding from UK-based patient organisations and companies' commercial interests. The results show that almost all funds from pharmaceutical companies were directed to patient organisations that are aligned with companies' approved drug portfolios and research and development pipelines. Patient organisations focusing on rare diseases received more funding relative to the number of patients affected by these conditions and relied more heavily on payments from fewer companies compared to organisations targeting non-rare diseases.
Editorial Material
Orthopedics
Kara McConaghy, Alison K. Klika, Suneel S. Apte, Ahmet Erdemir, Kathleen Derwin, Nicolas S. Piuzzi
Summary: Due to an aging population, musculoskeletal disease is becoming more burdensome both in terms of health and economy in the United States. In 2019, approximately 127.4 million people were affected by musculoskeletal conditions, which accounted for more than a third of the U.S. population. These conditions were the leading driver of healthcare spending in 2016, with an estimated annual cost of $380.9 billion. However, despite the significant and growing burden of musculoskeletal diseases, the research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains disproportionately allocated to other diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the current burden of musculoskeletal disease and compare it to NIH funding trends.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Svetlana Akselrod, Tea E. Collins, Daria Berlina, Amy Collins, Luke N. Allen
Summary: Since the original UN General Assembly 'special session' for HIV/AIDS, there have been numerous health-related high-level meetings (HLMs), including those for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and universal health coverage. This paper evaluates the impact of these meetings on funding allocations, domestic NCD policy implementation, and international engagement through analysis of attendance data and country delegation statements ('interventions'). Despite increased political exposure and commitments, especially for NCDs, this has not always translated into national policies or increased funding, even for countries deeply involved in HLMs. These findings suggest the need to focus on translating commitments into sustained funding and action.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Marta Entradas, Joao M. Santos
Summary: This study investigates public communication activity across research institutes with varying levels of excellence and the impact of competitive funding. It found that excellent institutes achieve higher returns on funding in media interactions compared to less excellent ones, but not in public events. This suggests that institutions guided by instrumental goals may not achieve expected outcomes in increased 'public engagement in science' despite receiving research funding.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily Jade Quirk, Adrian Gheorghe, Katharina Hauck
Summary: This study analyzed funding for the Ebola epidemic and Zika outbreak between 2014 and 2019, finding large discrepancies in reported amounts and purposes between different data sources. Despite inconsistencies, one of the few consistent findings was that the USA was the largest donor for both diseases.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Karen A. Robinson, Klara Brunnhuber, Donna Ciliska, Carsten Bogh Juhl, Robin Christensen, Hans Lund
Summary: Evidence-based research aims to minimize unnecessary and irrelevant studies by using prior research to guide new studies. This systematic and transparent approach ensures that valuable questions are answered effectively. The method helps to reduce research waste and improve scientific rigor.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marian Showell, Cynthia M. Farquhar, Grace Greenwood, Vanessa M. B. Jordan
Summary: This study evaluated the reporting of results from projects and programmes funded by the Health Research Council (HRC) New Zealand. It found that 13% of the projects from 2006 to 2014 did not publish or report any research output.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michelle C. Dimitris, Matthew Gittings, Nicholas B. King
Summary: The study found that the contribution of LMIC-affiliated researchers to global health research has increased over time, but representation from low-income countries remains low. Research activity and representation are higher among upper middle-income countries, with variation observed in representation between countries.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Luke G. F. Smith, E. Antonio Chiocca, Gregory J. Zipfel, Adam G. F. Smith, Michael W. Groff, Regis W. Haid, Russell R. Lonser
Summary: The study assessed the success of Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) awardees in obtaining subsequent National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. It was found that a significant portion of NREF awardees went on to receive NIH funding, indicating the importance and effectiveness of NREF in supporting neurosurgeon-scientists.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Samantha J. Boch, Aaron W. Murnan, Jordan F. Pollard, Nichole L. Nidey, Rose Y. Hardy, Iheoma U. Iruka
Summary: The United States has the highest number and rate of incarceration in the world, but federal funding for research on the health impacts of incarceration is relatively low. There is a need to invest more resources into federally funded studies to investigate the effects of incarceration and develop intervention strategies.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric Bender
Summary: Traditional UV air purifiers need to be positioned away from people, but devices using shorter UV wavelengths can change this limitation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anwaar Baobeid, Tara Faghani-Hamadani, Sara Sauer, Yap Boum, Bethany L. Hedt-Gauthier, Nicholas Neufeld, Jackline Odhiambo, Jimmy Volmink, Miriam Shuchman, Erica Di Ruggiero, Jeanine U. Condo
Summary: It is more difficult for women researchers to publish in academic journals than men, especially for those in low-income and middle-income countries. A study on sub-Saharan African women researchers revealed a gender inequity in prestigious authorship positions, with men dominating as first authors, last authors, and single authors. However, the gender discrepancy in journal leadership does not necessarily contribute to the inequities faced by women researchers.
Review
Substance Abuse
Zaineb Danish Sheikh, J. Robert Branston, Anna B. Gilmore
Summary: This systematic review explores the tobacco industry's responses to tobacco excise tax policies and finds that the industry employs various pricing strategies to undermine tax policies and maximize profits, with variations in strategies observed across different countries.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Martin McKee, Anthony Staines
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manuel Serrano-Alarcon, Yuxi Wang, Alexander Kentikelenis, Martin Mckee, David Stuckler
Summary: This study examines the association between far-right politics and vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Spain. The findings show that far-right supporters were initially more vaccine-hesitant, but this decreased with a successful vaccine roll-out. However, vaccine hesitancy rebounded among far-right voters when their party leaders promoted anti-vax discourse.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lucinda Hiam, Danny Dorling, Martin McKee
Summary: This study explores the views of public health experts on the adverse trends in life expectancy in England and Wales over the past decade, their causes and possible solutions, as well as their opinions on how the pre-pandemic situation influenced the UK's COVID-19 response. The findings show a lack of consensus among experts on the significance and explanations of the decline in life expectancy during this period. Some attributed it to data misinterpretation, widening health inequalities, and disinvestment in public services, while others emphasized social factors. The majority called for increased investment and implementation of existing evidence on reducing health inequalities, highlighting the need to address these underlying issues for pandemic preparedness.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Peter Binyaruka, Antonio Andreoni, Dina Balanova, Martin Mckee, Eleanor Hutchinson, Blake Angell
Summary: This study examined the preferences of health providers for policy interventions to address informal payments in Tanzania using a discrete choice experiment. The results showed that health providers generally preferred incentive payments for non-infraction and opportunities for private practice, but disliked disciplinary measures. Preferences varied across different groups, suggesting the need for tailored interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jonathan Cylus, Jessica Walters, Martin McKee, Peter Cowley
Summary: Covid-19 vaccination rollouts not only save lives and relieve pressures on health systems but also support economic growth and generate additional tax revenues. Meeting the 85% adult population target can partially offset the costs of vaccine programs by increasing consumption tax revenues.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Lucinda Hiam, Danny Dorling, Martin McKee
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sharon Friel, Jeff Collin, Mike Daube, Anneliese Depoux, Nicholas Freudenberg, Anna B. Gilmore, Paula Johns, Amos Laar, Robert Marten, Martin McKee, Melissa Mialon
Summary: This paper discusses the future role of the commercial sector in global health and health equity. It does not propose the overthrow of capitalism or full support for corporate partnerships. There is no single solution to eliminate the harms caused by commercial determinants of health, but evidence suggests that progressive economic models, international frameworks, government regulation, compliance mechanisms, and strategic civil society mobilisation can collectively bring about systemic, transformative change to reduce these harms and promote human and planetary wellbeing. The question is not whether the world has the resources or will to act, but whether humanity can survive without making these efforts.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Samantha Thomas, May C. van Schalkwyk, Mike Daube, Hannah Pitt, Darragh McGee, Martin McKee
Summary: Children around the world are exposed to extensive marketing for gambling products, which normalizes gambling as harmless entertainment despite evidence of its harms. Regulatory efforts to protect children from gambling marketing are inconsistent and inadequate. A comprehensive public health approach is urgently needed to limit the influence of gambling marketing on young people.
HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Stubbs, Alexandros Kentikelenis, Daniela Gabor, Jayati Ghosh, Martin McKee
Summary: Recognising the lack of preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic, international organisations are calling for additional funding to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response systems in low-income and middle-income countries. This article examines the prospects of national health budgets increasing in such a context, revealing that public spending will decrease for almost half of these countries by 2024. The increase in public spending on repaying external debt is a key driver of this austerity wave, potentially leading to deteriorating population health and reduced public health services.
Article
Economics
Gabor Scheiring, Aytalina Azarova, Darja Irdam, Katarzyna Doniec, Martin McKee, David Stuckler, Lawrence King
Summary: An unprecedented mortality crisis occurred in Eastern Europe during the 1990s, resulting in around seven million excess deaths. This study examines the relationship between deindustrialization and mortality in Eastern Europe and proposes a theoretical framework that identifies deindustrialization as a process of social disintegration caused by shock therapy. The findings show that deindustrialization directly influenced male mortality rates and was indirectly mediated by hazardous drinking as a coping strategy.
CAMBRIDGE JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Corina L. Vasilescu, Martin McKee, Aaron Reeves
Summary: The scholarship on the commercial determinants of health has primarily used qualitative methods, but there is now a growing number of quantitative studies. This article demonstrates the use of quantitative text analysis in analyzing public consultation responses on a draft scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority. The study finds varied positions among different actors, with the public health community opposing acrylamide while industry positions were diverse. The policy guidance did not show clear movement, likely due to the majority of submissions supporting the draft document. The article argues that quantitative text analysis can be applied to better understand the positions taken by different actors in public consultations.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Peter Binyaruka, Blake Angell, Martin McKee, Antonio Andreoni, Masuma Mamdani, Eleanor Hutchinson, Dina Balabanova
Summary: This study developed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to address informal payments in the health sector in Tanzania. Through a mixed-methods approach, the researchers identified six attributes for the DCE and validated them through a pilot study. The findings provide important insights for policy interventions.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Martin Mckee
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
