Health Equity: 11/02/10

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

[EQ] Mental health and development: targeting people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable group

Mental health and development:
targeting people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable group

World Health Organization, 2010

Available online at: http://bit.ly/bX06oS

The new WHO report on mental health and development is a call to action to all development stakeholders - governments, civil society, multilateral agencies, bilateral agencies, global partnerships, private foundations, academic and research institutions - to focus their attention on mental health.

The report presents compelling evidence that persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities are a vulnerable group but continue to be marginalized in terms of development aid and government attention. It makes the case for reaching out to this group through the design and implementation of appropriate policies and programmes and through the inclusion of mental health interventions into broader poverty reduction and development strategies. The report also describes a number of key interventions which can provide a starting point for these efforts. By investing in persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities, development outcomes can be improved.

Content

Executive summary
1. Introduction
2. People with mental health conditions comprise a vulnerable group

2.1 What makes groups vulnerable?.

2.2 People with mental health conditions are subject to stigma and discrimination.

2.3 People with mental health conditions are subject to violence and abuse

2.4 People with mental health conditions experience restrictions in the exercise of their civil and political rights

2.5 People with mental health conditions are not allowed to participate fully in society

2.6 People with mental health conditions lack access to health and social services.

2.7 People with mental health conditions lack access to emergency relief services.

2.8 People with mental health conditions lack educational opportunities and have poorer educational outcomes

2.9 People with mental health conditions are denied employment and other income-generating opportunities..

2.10 People with mental health conditions experience substantial disability and premature death

3. Other vulnerable groups have high rates of mental health conditions
4. Improving development outcomes: principles and actions
5. All development stakeholders have important roles to play
Conclusion..

* * *
This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues. [DD/ KMC Area]
Washington DC USA

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
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Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
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[EQ] Establishing a Holistic Framework to Reduce Inequities in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis in the United States

Establishing a Holistic Framework to Reduce Inequities in
HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis in the United States

NCHHSTP National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention White Paper on Social Determinants of Health
Atlanta (GA): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; October 2010

Available online PDF [32p.] at: http://bit.ly/cLsgxk

“…..This white paper outlines the strategic vision of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention for reducing health disparities and promoting health equity related to our conditions of interest. The purpose of the white paper is to advance a holistic approach to the design of our public health programs to advance the health of communities and increase their opportunities for healthy living…”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary.

Introduction.

A Systematic Approach.

Social Determinants of Health.

Definition.

Vision for Change.

Rationale.

Theoretical Framework.

Applying the Framework.

NCHHSTP Efforts to Address SDH.

2011–2015 Priority Actions for Addressing SDH and HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs and TB Prevention.

Research and Surveillance.

Health Communication and Marketing.

Health Policy.

Prevention Programs.

Capacity Building.

Partnership Activities.

Tracking Our Progress.

Activities for Partners to Consider.

Leadership.

Research and Surveillance.

Communication.

Policy.

Programs.

Capacity Building.

Partners.

Summary.
References

Glossary

Health disparity is a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social or economic disadvantage.

Health equity is the absence of systematic, unfair disparities in health (or determinants of health) among population groups in a social hierarchy or with different levels of social advantage or disadvantage.

Health equity (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS] definition) is attainment of the highest level of health for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities.

Heath inequity is a difference or disparity in health outcomes that is systematic, unfair, and about which you can do something.

Individual-level risk factors are characteristics of individuals that may explain health status or behavior (e.g., age, sex, marital status).

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the complex, integrated, and overlapping social structures

and economic systems that include the social environment, physical environment, and health services; structural and societal factors that are responsible for most health inequities. SDH are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national, and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2020 Draft. 2009, U.S. Government Printing Office. Available at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/advisory/PhaseI/glossary.htm

Braveman, P. and S. Gruskin. Defining equity in health. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2003. 57(4): p. 254-258.

World Health Organization. Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Report from the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. 2008. http://www.who.int/social_determinants/thecommission/finalreport/en/index.html

Health Equity Symposium

On October 20, NCHHSTP hosted the 2010 Health Equity Symposium on Establishing a Holistic Framework to Reduce Inequities in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis in the United States. Slides from the invited speakers' presentations are now available.

· The Social Determinants of Health and Infectious Disease , Paula Braveman

· Law in a Social Determinants State – A Public Health Law Research Perspective , Scott Burris

· Healthy Ohio – One State’s Perspectives on the NCHHSTP Strategic Plan , Johnnie (Chip) Allen

WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) charged world public health action to:
1) improve the conditions of daily life;
2) tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources, and;
3) measure and understand the problem and assess the impact of action.

· Report: Closing the Gap in a Generation — Health Equity Through Action on the Social Determinants of Health (7.28Mb)

· The Commission - what, why and how?

· Closing the gap in a generation - how?

· Key concepts





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[EQ] Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials - Strategies, tips, and tools to manage controversy

Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials:
Strategies, tips, and tools to manage controversy, convey your message, and disseminate results

Elizabeth T. Robinson;Deborah Baron;Lori L. Heise;Jill Moffett; Sarah V. Harlan

The handbook is co-published by the Microbicides Media and Communications Initiative, a multi-partner collaboration housed at the
Global Campaign for Microbicides at PATH in Washington, DC, and by Family Health International in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. 2010

Available online PDF [280p.] at: http://bit.ly/bpO27X

“….How clinical trials are perceived internationally and in communities where trials occur can directly affect support for research, with misinformation and fears of exploitation derailing trials just as easily as operational or scientific setbacks……..”

….Expectations for transparency, information sharing, and engagement are rising at the same time that the modes and outlets for communication are multiplying at an exponential rate. The media landscape is changing daily and international networks of advocates, scientists, and others are linked through the Internet as never before. In addition, an increasing number of people now see themselves as stakeholders in the research process. This new world brings both possibility and risk to those engaged in research.

“……This handbook is designed to serve the needs of anyone who conducts, plans, or implements clinical trials—especially trials that evaluate new drugs or interventions in a community setting.

Objectives

- Provide practical guidance to clinical trial staff and research partners on how to anticipate and respond to the special communications challenges posed by the conduct of clinical research in resource-limited settings.

- Share lessons learned from case studies of actual experiences running trials in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the United States and Europe.

- Supply hard copy and electronic versions of diagnostic tools, sample templates, and model examples of communications plans and materials that sites can adapt for use in their communications planning and implementation…..”

The handbook addresses the challenges of communicating about clinical trials to stakeholders. Drawing on the collective insights of the many people who contributed to its creation, this handbook uses practical insights and case studies based on the communications activities of actual clinical trials.

A variety of tools and templates will help readers plan for their own studies, including:

- Sample communications plans for clinical trials

- Communications and crisis-planning templates and checklists

- Scenario-planning tools to facilitate planning for the release of trial results

- Ideas on delegating communications tasks to reduce demands on key site personnel

- Tips and techniques on how to communicate effectively in interviews, in meetings, and with the media….

Content

Chapter One: About This Handbook

Chapter Two: Preparing and Budgeting for Communications

Chapter Three: Developing a Strategic Communications Plan

Chapter Four: Communications During the Trial

Chapter Five: Preventing and Managing a Crisis

I. What is a crisis communications plan?

II. Why is a crisis communications plan needed?

III. Preventing crises

IV. Preparing for potential controversy

V. Developing a rapid response procedure

VI. Implementing your crisis communications plan

VII. Managing unexpected trial closures

Chapter Six: Preparing for and Disseminating Study Results

I. The minimum package of dissemination activities

II. The dissemination team and plan: compiling the core elements

III. Timing, timelines, and time zones

IV. Planning for various outcome scenarios

V. Managing embargoes and pre-release issues

VI. Orchestrating the public announcement

VII. Post-announcement dissemination activities

Chapter Seven: Developing and Using Key Messages

I. Why key messages are important

II. How to develop key messages and supporting messages

III. Creating tailored messages for any situation

IV. Refining and testing your messages

V. Delivering key messages

Chapter Eight: Communicating Science Clearly

I. Why research is necessary

II. Translating the language of clinical trials

III. Demystifying statistics

IV. Five ways to avoid misunderstandings

Chapter Nine: Working with the Media

I. Understanding the media

II. Developing a media strategy

III. Responding to media requests

IV. Getting your message across

V. Being interviewed by the media

VI. Helping journalists write good stories

VII. Nurturing relationships with the media

Appendices





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