Thursday, September 24, 2009

[EQ] Working in Health: Financing and Managing the Public Sector Health Workforce

Working in Health: Financing and Managing the Public Sector Health Workforce

Marko Vujicic, Kelechi Ohiri, Susan Sparkes
Washington, DC: The World Bank – 2009

Website: http://go.worldbank.org/PU86PVIEU0

“…Working in Health addresses two key questions related to health workforce policy in developing countries:

1. What is the impact of government wage bill policies on the size of the health wage bill and on health workforce staffing levels in the public sector?

2. Do current human resources management policies and practices lead to effective use of wage bill resources in the public sector?

Health workers play a key role in increasing access to health services for poor people in developing countries. Global and country level estimates show that staffing levels in many developing countries—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa—are far below what is needed to deliver essential health services to the population.

One factor that potentially limits scaling up the health workforce in developing countries is the government overall wage bill policy which sometimes creates restrictions. Through a review of literature, analysis of data, and country case studies in Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, and the Dominican Republic, this book examines the process that determines the health wage bill budget in the public sector, how this is linked to overall wage bill policies, how this affects staffing levels in the health sector, and the relevant policy options.

But staff numbers are not everything and more money for the health wage bill alone will not solve the health workforce problems of developing countries. Working in Health looks at how effectively governments use the available wage bill resources in the health sector and policy options. Policies and practices in recruitment, deployment, promotion, transfer, sanctioning, and remuneration for health workers are reviewed to identify their influence on budget execution rates, geographic distribution, and productivity of health workers….”

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Overview (PDF 859kb)
The Wage Bill Budgeting Process in the Public Sector
The Effect of the Wage Bill Budgeting Process on the Health Workforce
Managing Health Wage Bill Resources in the Public Sector
Policy Options to Address Fiscal Constraints on the Health Wage Bill and to Improve Management of the Health Workforce in the Public sector
Presentation (PPT 2.29MB)

Chapter 2. Background Country Study for Kenya (PDF 773kb)
The Health Wage Bill in Kenya
Public Sector Employment of Health Workers
Key Messages Presentation (PPT 1.80MB)

Chapter 3. Background Country Study for Zambia (PDF 792kb)
The Health Wage Bill in Zambia
Public Sector Employment of Health Workers
Key Messages Presentation (PPT 1.54MB)

Chapter 4. Background Country Study for Rwanda (PDF 1.05MB)
The Health Wage Bill in Rwanda
Public Sector Employment of Health Workers
Donor Funding of Health and Education Workers' Salaries
Key Messages Presentation (PPT 1.68MB)

Chapter 5. Background Country Study for the Dominican Republic (PDF 813kb)
The Health Wage Bill in the Dominican Republic
Public Sector Employment of Health Workers
Key Messages Presentation (PPT 1.59MB)

Appendix A
Comparative Analysis of Health Outcomes, Service Delivery, and Health Workforce Levels in Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, and the Dominican Republic
(PDF 474kb) - Presentation (PPT 1.66MB)

Appendix B Analysis of the Share of Government Health Expenditure Going to the Health Wage Bill: Some Stylized Facts (PDF 448kb)

Appendix C Decentralization and Human Resources for Health (PDF 171kb)

Appendix D Review of Alternative Compensation Methods for Health Workers (PDF 262kb)

Appendix E Review of GFATM Round 6 and GAVI HSS Round 1 Policies and Practices for Funding Health Worker Remuneration (PDF 336kb)
Presentation (PPT 1.56MB)

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information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
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[EQ] London Health Inequalities Strategy: Public Consultation

Health Inequalities Strategy

Public Consultation Draft - Published by Greater London Authority

The draft for public consultation was launched on 24 September 2009.

PDF file [120p.] at: London Health Inequalities Strategy Public Consultation Draft PDF

Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/priorities/health/health-strategy.jsp

Objectives set out in the strategy for reducing health inequalities in London are to:

· Empower individual Londoners and their communities to improve health and well being.

· Improve access to London’s health and social care services, particularly for Londoners who have poorer health outcomes.

· Reduce income inequalities and minimise the negative health consequences of relative poverty.

· Increase opportunities for people to access the potential benefits of work and other forms of meaningful activity.

· Develop and promote London as a healthy place for all – from homes to neighbourhoods and the city as a whole.

The publication of this draft starts a three month period of consultation with the public and other stakeholders
Please send your comments by email to health.inequalities@london.gov.uk, or by post to:
London Health Inequalities Strategy
Post point 18 City Hall - The Queen's Walk London SE1 2AA

A final document will be published in 2010.

Content

Foreword

About this strategy

Part One – The Case for Action

1 Why does London need a health inequalities strategy?

1.1 What are health inequalities

1.2 The causes of health inequalities

2 Health inequalities in London

3 What needs to happen to reduce health inequalities?

4 What are we trying to achieve through this strategy?

Part Two – The Mayor’s Proposals For Action

Objective One: Empowering individuals and communities

Objective Two: Equitable access to high quality health and social care services

Objective Three: Income inequality and health

Objective Four: Health, work and well-being

Objective Five: Healthy places

Cross-cutting objective: Knowledge and learning

Learning and capacity-building

How will we know we are making a difference?

Part three – Key Partners and Their Responsibilities

Next steps for this strategy

Appendix

References

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[EQ] Evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm

Evidence for the effectiveness and cost–effectiveness of interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe 2009

Available online PDF [134p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/document/E92823.pdf

“…..It reviews what is known and not known about the health, social and economic impact of alcohol, education and information campaigns, public support for alcohol policies, supportive infrastructures, the health sector response, community action, workplace policies, drink–driving policies, the availability, marketing and pricing of alcohol, and drinking environments, and the policy implications of this evidence…”

Content:

Summary

Introduction

What are alcohol policies?

What is the evidence base for alcohol policies?

Political, sociocultural and economic factors that impact on harm

Alcohol policies in a global framework

The health, social and economic impact of alcohol

At individual level

At societal level

Health inequalities

Raising awareness and political commitment

Response of the health sector

Community action

Drink–driving policies and countermeasures

Addressing the availability of alcohol

Addressing the marketing of alcoholic beverages

Pricing policies

Drinking environments

Reducing the public health impact of unrecorded alcohol

Overview of effectiveness and cost–effectiveness

References

Handbook for action to reduce alcohol-related harm

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe 2009

Available online PDF [78p.] at: http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E92820.pdf

“….This handbook helps countries review, adjust or strengthen their alcohol action plans and explores ten areas for action.

The handbook is aimed primarily at people who work in health ministries, people who are developing a subnational or municipal alcohol strategy or action plan, and people who work in other government sectors on alcohol taxation, licensing or commercial communication policies….”

Content:

Introduction

Developing and implementing an action plan

Ten action areas for delivering change

Estimating the impact of different policy options

Bibliography

Pricing

Availability

Marketing

Illegally and informally produced alcohol

Drink–driving

Drinking environments

Health care interventions

Raising public awareness

Community and workplace action

Monitoring and evaluating action

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    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.