Burden of disease studies in developing countries
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Source: tdr-scientists@who.ch
The Global Forum for Health Research
The 1990 Report of the Commission on Health Research for Development
(COHRED) and the 1996 report of the WHO Ad Hoc Committee on Health
Research concluded that the central problem in health research is the
10/90 dis-equilibrium (only 10% of the US$ 56 billion spent annually
in health research are dedicated to problems of 90% of the popula-
tion). For example, it is estimated that pneumonia, diarrhoea, tuber-
culosis, and malaria account for more than 20% of the disease burden
in the world but receive less than 1% of the funds devoted to health
research in the world.
The central objective of the Global Forum for Health Research is to
help correct that dis-equilibrium by focusing research efforts on
problems which affect the majority of the world's population. The Fo-
rum argues than in order to make better decisions on the allocation
of research funds, decision-makers need better information. The Forum
promotes research on the following issues for particular conditions:
- What is the burden on disease?
- What are the causes of such a burden?
- How effective a re the existing interventions as compared to their
costs?
- How cost-effective could future interventions resulting from re-
search be?
- How much is already invested in the research for each particular
condition?
The Burden of Disease
Measuring the burden of disease on populations has been critical to
health research and development. This decade has seen further prog-
ress in the methods used to measure the impact of diseases and their
application to global, regional and national levels. The report of
the Commission on Health Research for Development (1990), the World
Development Report 1993 of the World Bank, the report of the Ad Hoc
Committee of the WHO (1996) and the Global Burden of Disease and In-
jury series (1996-98) have been central to this dialogue. The devel-
opment of composite indicators such as the disability adjusted life
years (DALYs) and healthy life years (HEALYs), the increasing number
of national studies and preparations for the GBD 2000 (Global Burden
of Disease 2000) make this a timely juncture for exploring this im-
portant issue. The Global Forum for Health Research considers the
measurement of diseaseburden a key element for priority setting in
health research and development. At the same time, there is a great
need for furthering the application of such methods in the developing
world and to support studies that are attempting to use such results
for national or regional health assessments.
It is with a view of supporting such work that this call for letters
of intent is being issued. The objective is to select a few studies
for potential seed grant support. All studies must focus on the de-
veloping world and preference will be given to those led by develop-
ing country scientists or in joint collaboration with developed coun-
try colleagues.
Types of submissions
The Global Forum for Health Research would like to invite letters of
intent that pertain to the following:
A - Measuring the burden of disease at sub-national, country or re-
gional level;
B - Analysis of secondary data to generate burden of disease results
C - Application of alternate methods for burden of disease assess-
ment;
D - Completion of current studies in the developing world;
E - Studies in areas that have not previously had such assessments.
A one-page covering letter from the principal investigator should ex-
plain why the project represents an important contribution to burden
of disease measurement.
Letters of intent should not be more than 3 pages (excluding attach-
ments) and should adhere to the following format:
1 - Introduction to the project
2 - Purpose/objectives
3 - Methods/strategies
4 - Expected results/products
5 - Partners/investigators
6 - Estimated budgets
7 - Funds obtained/expected
8 - Timeline
Attachments such as a brief resume of the principal investigator/s or
project-based papers may be submitted if necessary. The total package
with attachments must not exceed 10 pages.
Selection procedure
A team of experts comprising members of the Global Forum for Health
Research and external consultants will evaluate the submissions. The
selection team will evaluate submissions on a number of criteria in-
cluding scientific merit of the study, baseline work upon which the
study is based, contribution to burden of disease measurement and im-
portance to the developing world.
Successful applicants will be requested to submit detailed proposals.
Selection in this initial round does not guarantee funding and the
Global Forum reserves the right to re-evaluate detailed proposals.
The funding for this work is at the seed grant level after receiving
a detailed proposal.
Deadline for submissions: May 15, 1999
Please send the cover letter, letter of intent and any attachments
to:
The Global Forum for Health Research
Attn. Analytic Work/BOD
c/o W.H.O.
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-791-4260
Fax: +41-22-791-4394
mailto:bendixenk@who.ch
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