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Fell M, Chadha A, van Eeden S. Are NHS cleft services in England ready for delegation to integrated care systems? Br Dent J 2024; 236:443-446. [PMID: 38519672 DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7172-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cleft care services in the UK have been nationally funded since centralisation 25 years ago and during this time have been able to demonstrate improved clinical outcomes. Integrated care systems have been introduced into legislature as part of the Health Care Act of 2022 and will be responsible for the paradigm shift of allocating funds on a regional basis for cleft care services in England from 2024. The proposed population-based funding formulas present an opportunity to improve current inequities in cleft care, including access to speech therapy and adult services. However, the regional footprint of integrated care systems does not align with that of the centralised cleft service system and represents a threat to the standardised patient-centred care that has taken two decades to build. Awareness needs to be raised so that cleft care providers can proactively adapt to this mandatory change to service funding to ensure that clinical standards are maintained and continue to improve.
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Wangler J, Jansky M. Experiences with Innovation Fund healthcare models in primary care: a qualitative study amongst German general practitioners. Wien Med Wochenschr 2024; 174:53-60. [PMID: 35503146 PMCID: PMC10896771 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-022-00935-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Innovation Fund was set up in 2015 with the aim of improving medical care in the German statutory health insurance system. Primary care needs to be involved in testing interventions and new forms of care for effectiveness and inclusion in standard care. There has so far been hardly any research on how far Innovation Fund models accommodate the primary care setting, or on the experience general practitioners have had with these models. Between September 2021 and January 2022, 36 semi-standardized individual interviews were performed with general practitioners who had already participated in Innovation Fund projects. Eleven regional physician networks in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein were involved in the recruitment process. Most of the interviewees associated the Innovation Fund with potential and opportunity including intensification of application-oriented healthcare research, independent financing, and general healthcare involvement. Even so, many general practitioners were unsure as to how far primary care in particular would stand to benefit from the Innovation Fund in the long term. A mostly positive balance was drawn from participation in care models-benefit of intervention as well as cost-benefit ratio. However, some also reported hurdles and stress factors such as documentation requirements and disruption in everyday office routine. Innovation Fund projects will need to be suitable for general practitioners especially regarding medical decision-making leeway, limits to documentation requirements, preserving established office routine, greater involvement in research planning, and improvements to the primary care setting to encourage willingness to participate in Innovation Fund projects amongst general practitioners.
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Gulzar R, Bhat AA, Mir AA, Athari SA, Al-Adwan AS. Green banking practices and environmental performance: navigating sustainability in banks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:23211-23226. [PMID: 38413528 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32418-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The growing concerns about global climate change have thrust green banking and green finance into the forefront of discussions. The research suggests that green banking plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental sustainability. This study focuses on examining the profound impact of green banking practices on the environmental performance of banks, with a specific focus on both private and public sector banks operating in India through a survey involving 500 bank employees the study employed partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings highlight various aspects of green banking, encompassing employee-related practices, operational procedures, customer engagement, and policy adherence, and significantly contribute to the promotion of green finance, resulting in substantial positive effects. Moreover, the study underscores the substantial and positive influence of banks' green financing on their environmental performance. Interestingly, the operational features of green banking practices emerged as having a notable impact on banks' environmental performance, whereas aspects related to employees, policies, and customers did not directly and significantly influence environmental performance. The results of the study carry significant policy implications, especially for India's banking sector, in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.
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Malcomson FC, Parra-Soto S, Lu L, Ho F, Celis-Morales C, Sharp L, Mathers JC. Socio-demographic variation in adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations within the UK Biobank prospective cohort study. J Public Health (Oxf) 2024; 46:61-71. [PMID: 37986550 PMCID: PMC10901269 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2018 (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations are evidence-based lifestyle recommendations which aim to reduce the risk of cancer worldwide. Sociodemographic factors modulate lifestyle behaviours, and both cancer incidence and survival are socio-economically patterned. We investigated adherence to these recommendations and examined patterns of adherence across sociodemographic subgroups in the UK Biobank cohort. METHODS We included 158 415 UK Biobank participants (mean age 56 years, 53% female). Total adherence scores were derived from dietary, physical activity and anthropometric data using the 2018 WCRF/AICR standardized scoring system. One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in total scores and in values for individual score components according to sociodemographic factors and Pearson's Χ2 test to investigate associations between sociodemographic factors according to tertiles of adherence score. RESULTS Mean total adherence score was 3.85 points (SD 1.05, range 0-7 points). Higher total scores were observed in females, and older (>57 years), Chinese or South Asian, and more educated participants. We found significant variations in adherence to individual recommendations by sociodemographic factors including education, Townsend deprivation index and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Identifying and understanding lifestyle and dietary patterns according to sociodemographic factors could help to guide public health strategies for the prevention of cancers and other non-communicable diseases.
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Messori A, Trippoli S, Marinai C. In-hospital expenditure for medical devices in relation to funds from diagnosis-related groups and ambulatory activity: temporal trend from 2019 to 2022. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2024; 31:179-180. [PMID: 36822845 PMCID: PMC10895170 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2023-003723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
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Rimmer A. Fund "broken" mental health services based on current need, demands BMA. BMJ 2024; 384:q447. [PMID: 38378194 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
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Shimokihara S, Ikeda Y, Matsuda F, Tabira T. Association of mobile device proficiency and subjective cognitive complaints with financial management ability among community-dwelling older adults: a population-based cross-sectional study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2024; 36:44. [PMID: 38367133 PMCID: PMC10874308 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-024-02697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile devices have been used by many older adults and have the potential to assist individuals with subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in daily living tasks. Financial management is one of the most complex daily activity for older adults, as it is easily impaired in the prodromal stage of dementia and cognitive impairment. AIM To investigate financial management ability among older adults from SCCs and mobile device proficiency. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 529 participants who were ≥ 65 years and regularly use mobile devices. Participants were divided into four groups based on SCC prevalence and scores of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-16). Financial management abilities were compared between groups using the Process Analysis of Daily Activities for Dementia subscale. Regression model and crosstabulation table were used to investigate associations in detail. RESULTS A significant difference in financial management ability was observed among the four groups (p < 0.001), with the dual impairment group showed significantly lower than the robust and SCC groups (p < 0.001). Educational history, sex, and MDPQ-16 score were significantly associated with participants' financial management ability (p ≤ 0.01). The proportion of participants who could use ATMs and electronic money independently was significantly lower among those with low proficiency in mobile devices (LPM), regardless of SCC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The LPM group showed an impaired ability to manage their finances, particularly in situations where they would use information devices. Therefore, healthcare professionals should assess not only the SCC but also their proficiency with mobile devices to predict their impairment in activities of daily living.
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Burgdorf CE, Riley WT, Akbar F, Zuehlke AD, Bibb K, Eshleman HD, Shah A, Belis D, Spittel M, Fearon P. Analysis of the health economics portfolio funded by the National Institutes of Health in response to published guidance. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0284235. [PMID: 38354126 PMCID: PMC10866517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Health services, economics, and outcomes research (referred to as health economics research hereinafter) is one of the interdisciplinary sciences that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports in order to pursue its overall mission to improve health. In 2015, NIH guidance was published to clarify the type of health economics research that NIH would continue to fund. This analysis aimed to determine if there were changes in the number of health economics applications received and funded by NIH after the release of the guidance. Health economics applications submitted to NIH both before and after publication of the guidance were identified using a machine learning approach with input from subject matter experts. Application and funding trends were examined by fiscal year, method of application (solicited vs. unsolicited), and activity code. This study found that application and funding rates of health economics research were decreasing prior to guidance. Following publication of this guidance, the application and funding rate of health economics applications increased.
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Huang A, Zhao Y, Cao C, Lyu M, Tang K. Development assistance, donor-recipient dynamic, and domestic policy: a case study of two health interventions supported by World Bank-UK and Global Fund in China. Glob Health Res Policy 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38310321 PMCID: PMC10838425 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-024-00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study views sustainability after the exit of development assistance for health (DAH) as a shared responsibility between donors and recipients and sees transitioning DAH-supported interventions into domestic health policy as a pathway to this sustainability. It aims to uncover and understand the reemergent aspects of the donor-recipient dynamic in DAH and how they contribute to formulating domestic health policy and post-DAH sustainability. METHODS We conducted a case study on two DAH-supported interventions: medical financial assistance in the Basic Health Services Project supported by the World Bank and UK (1998-2007) and civil society engagement in the HIV/AIDS Rolling Continuation Channel supported by the Global Fund (2010-2013) in China. From December 2021 to December 2022, we analyzed 129 documents and interviewed 46 key informants. Our data collection and coding were guided by a conceptual framework based on Walt and Gilson's health policy analysis model and the World Health Organization's health system building blocks. We used process tracing for analysis. RESULTS According to the collected data, our case study identified three reemergent, interrelated aspects of donor-recipient dynamics: different preferences and compromise, partnership dialogues, and responsiveness to the changing context. In the case of medical financial assistance, the dynamic was characterized by long-term commitment to addressing local needs, on-site mutual learning and understanding, and local expertise cultivation and knowledge generation, enabling proactive responses to the changing context. In contrast, the dynamic in the case of HIV/AIDS civil society engagement marginalized genuine civil society engagement, lacked sufficient dialogue, and exhibited a passive response to the context. These differences led to varying outcomes in transnational policy diffusion and sustainability of DAH-supported interventions between the cases. CONCLUSIONS Given the similarities in potential alternative factors observed in the two cases, we emphasize the significance of the donor-recipient dynamic in transnational policy diffusion through DAH. The study implies that achieving post-DAH sustainability requires a balance between donor priorities and recipient ownership to address local needs, partnership dialogues for mutual understanding and learning, and collaborative international-domestic expert partnerships to identify and respond to contextual enablers and barriers.
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Van den Broeck K, Bielen L, Maelstaf H, Van Roy K, Versele A. Well-being Effects of a Subsidy Retention Fund for Renovation of Dwellings of Locked-in Owners in Ghent. J Urban Health 2024; 101:170-180. [PMID: 38347275 PMCID: PMC10897071 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-023-00793-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
With its subsidy retention fund, the city of Ghent targets homeowners, who live in a dwelling of bad quality and do not have the resources to renovate or move out. Being in this no-choice situation, they are locked-in homeowners. Through this innovative policy instrument, Ghent aims to improve the quality of its housing stock targeting households who may not take up other renovation-encouraging instruments. To reach the households who would otherwise not be able to renovate, important efforts in outreaching and offering technical and social guidance accompany the renovation subsidy. Guidance activities substantially increase the cost of the instrument, but in reaching the households living in bad-quality houses, it has the potential to create major benefits not only technically but also socially as housing quality is related to well-being. Generally, the identification of a causal relationship is difficult as well-being and its mediators are complex matters. This case offered a unique opportunity to collect information from the beneficiaries on a range of well-being domains both before the renovation of their dwelling and after the renovation. Even though the research was restricted to short-term effects, the results suggest that improvements in different domains of well-being can be linked to the improvement of housing quality. These improvements in well-being in Ghent show that (local) government spending in housing renovation of locked-in homeowners can be an instrument to achieve social progress.
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Daoud A, Johansson FD. The impact of austerity on children: Uncovering effect heterogeneity by political, economic, and family factors in low- and middle-income countries. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2024; 118:102973. [PMID: 38336420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2023.102973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Which children are most vulnerable when their government imposes austerity? Research tends to focus on either the political-economic level or the family level. Using a sample of nearly two million children in 67 countries, this study synthesizes theories from family sociology and political science to examine the heterogeneous effects on child poverty of economic shocks following the implementation of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) program. To discover effect heterogeneity, we apply machine learning to policy evaluation. We find that children's average probability of falling into poverty increases by 14 percentage points. We find substantial effect heterogeneity, with family wealth and governments' education spending as the two most important moderators. In contrast to studies that emphasize the vulnerability of low-income families, we find that middle-class children face an equally high risk of poverty. Our results show that synthesizing family and political factors yield deeper knowledge of how economic shocks affect children.
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Theaker S. BDA Benevolent Fund articles. Br Dent J 2024; 236:147-148. [PMID: 38332060 DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
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Baraniuk C. Northern Ireland's doctors are relieved as Stormont is set to return-but will funds go far enough? BMJ 2024; 384:q270. [PMID: 38296346 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
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Limb M. Give mayors the power and funds to tackle areas of poor health says commission. BMJ 2024; 384:q143. [PMID: 38242583 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
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Wahdi AE, Sutanto E, Setyawan A, Astrini YP, Adani N, Mardani H, Maulana N, Pattnaik A, Trihono T, Wilopo SA. National health insurance contribution to family planning program funding in Indonesia: A fund flow analysis. Gates Open Res 2024; 7:105. [PMID: 38605912 PMCID: PMC11006955 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.14642.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Launched in 2014, Indonesia's national health insurance system (JKN) aimed to provide universal health coverage, including contraceptive services, to its population. We aim to evaluate the contribution of JKN to the overall spending for the family planning program in Indonesia. Methods Data from the Indonesian Demographic Health Survey, Survey on Financial Flows for Family Planning, Indonesia Motion Tracker Matrix, World Population Prospect, and Indonesian ministries' budget accountability reports were entered into the CastCost Contraceptive Projection Tool to define budgetary allocation and spending for the family planning program at the national level in 2019. Results Indonesia's family planning program in 2019 was financed mostly by the national budget (64.0%) and out-of-pocket payments (34.6%). There were three main ministries responsible for family planning financing: the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) (35.8%), the Ministry of Finance (26.2%), and the Ministry of Health (2.0%). Overall, JKN contributed less than 0.4% of the funding for family planning services in Indonesia in 2019. The majority of family planning spending was by public facilities (57.3%) as opposed to private facilities (28.6%). Conclusion JKN's contribution to funding Indonesia's family planning programs in 2019 was low and highlights a huge opportunity to expand these contributions. A coordinated effort should be conducted to identify possible opportunities to realign BKKBN and JKN roles in the family planning programs and lift barriers to accessing family planning services in public and private facilities. This includes a concerted effort to improve integration of private family planning providers into the JKN program.
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Yu W, Wang Q, Qiao Z. Study on the time and scale of mutual aid for aging care under the background of active aging. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1196411. [PMID: 38288428 PMCID: PMC10823878 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1196411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background China has entered an aging society and will likely become the fastest-aging country in the world. The demand for aging care services has greatly increased. In recent years, the model of mutual aid for aging care has met the needs of older adults, especially those in rural areas. In this case, how much time should be spent on mutual aid for the older adult in terms of time and how much influence the size of the group has in terms of space are two very important questions when studying mutual aid for aging care. Methods An overlapping generations model is built in this article, which includes representative agents, representative enterprises, the endowment insurance system constructed by the government, and the behavior of representative agents in mutual aid for aging care under the background of active aging. Results In the base case, the optimal proportion of time to participate in the mutual aid group is 9.31%, and the optimal proportion of time is influenced by the benchmark time of care and the size of the care group. With the increase in the benchmark time of care, the optimal proportion of time increases correspondingly, but the increase is decreasing. With the increase in the size of the care group, the optimal proportion of time decreases, but after the size reaches 4 or 5, the impact becomes very small. When parents' psychological preference coefficient changes from 0.1 to 0.9, that is, when parents change from introverted to extroverted personalities, the optimal proportion of time and parents' utility will also change. Conclusion For children who usually take care of their parents for a long benchmark time, the optimal time to participate in the mutual aid group based on personal utility maximization is also long. Second, as the size of the group increases, the time for representative agents to participate in the mutual aid group gradually decreases. In addition, the model of mutual aid for aging care is highly correlated with parents' personalities, and extrovert parents benefit more from this model.
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Maiba J, Singh NS, Cassidy R, Mtei G, Borghi J, Kapologwe NA, Binyaruka P. Assessment of strategic healthcare purchasing and financial autonomy in Tanzania: the case of results-based financing and health basket fund. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1260236. [PMID: 38283298 PMCID: PMC10811957 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are implementing health financing reforms toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In Tanzania direct health facility financing of health basket funds (DHFF-HBF) scheme was introduced in 2017/18, while the results-based financing (RBF) scheme was introduced in 2016. The DHFF-HBF involves a direct transfer of pooled donor funds (Health Basket Funds, HBF) from the central government to public primary healthcare-PHC (including a few selected non-public PHC with a service agreement) facilities bank accounts, while the RBF involves paying providers based on pre-defined performance indicators or targets in PHC facilities. We consider whether these two reforms align with strategic healthcare purchasing principles by describing and comparing their purchasing arrangements and associated financial autonomy. Methods We used document review and qualitative methods. Key policy documents and articles related to strategic purchasing and financial autonomy were reviewed. In-depth interviews were conducted with health managers and providers (n = 31) from 25 public facilities, health managers (n = 4) in the Mwanza region (implementing DHFF-HBF and RBF), and national-level stakeholders (n = 2). In this paper, we describe and compare DHFF-HBF and RBF in terms of four functions of strategic purchasing (benefit specification, contracting, payment method, and performance monitoring), but also compare the degree of purchaser-provider split and financial autonomy. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic framework approach. Results The RBF paid facilities based on 17 health services and 18 groups of quality indicators, whilst the DHFF-HBF payment accounts for performance on two quality indicators, six service indicators, distance from district headquarters, and population catchment size. Both schemes purchased services from PHC facilities (dispensaries, health centers, and district hospitals). RBF uses a fee-for-service payment adjusted by the quality of care score method adjusted by quality of care score, while the DHFF-HBF scheme uses a formula-based capitation payment method with adjustors. Unlike DHFF-HBF which relies on an annual general auditing process, the RBF involved more detailed and intensive performance monitoring including data before verification prior to payment across all facilities on a quarterly basis. RBF scheme had a clear purchaser-provider split arrangement compared to a partial arrangement under the DHFF-HBF scheme. Study participants reported that the RBF scheme provided more autonomy on spending facility funds, while the DHFF-HBF scheme was less flexible due to a budget ceiling on specific spending items. Conclusion Both RBF and DHFF-HBF considered most of the strategic healthcare purchasing principles, but further efforts are needed to strengthen the alignment towards UHC. This may include further strengthening the data verification process and spending autonomy for DHFF-HBF, although it is important to contain costs associated with verification and ensuring public financial management around spending autonomy.
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Stuikyte R, Varentsov I, Cook C, Dvoriak S. Measuring sustainability of opioid agonist therapy programs in the context of transition from global fund support. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:7. [PMID: 38212809 PMCID: PMC10785371 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00931-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmatic and financial sustainability of health responses dependent on donor funding has risen as a major concern. In the HIV field in particular, it generated a number of instruments and assessments on sustainability and processes related to donor transition planning. The authors aimed to develop an instrument specific to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programs as they were addressed only marginally by the HIV-specific assessments. METHODS The development of the OAT sustainability instrument used desk review of existing HIV sustainability concepts and tools, an International Advisory Board, and piloting to validate the instrument. RESULTS The new OAT sustainability instrument is comprised of the three parts: the conceptual framework, methodological guidelines and a practical implementation tool for assessing the degree of OAT sustainability at the country level. It measures sustainability in the three broad areas for sustainability measuring-Policy & Governance; Finance & Resources; and Services. The selection of indicators and their composites for the three sustainability areas extensively used the United Nations and World Health Organization's guidance on health system building blocks, on care and HIV and viral hepatitis prevention among people using opioids and for opioid dependence, and the definition of access to health framed by the United Nations Convent on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The instrument's methodological guidelines require the engagement of a national consultant to conduct desk review, key informant interviews and focus groups for measuring discrete milestones and adding qualitative information for interpretation of the data, progress and opportunities. The guidelines advise engaging a country-specific multi-stakeholder advisory group for planning, validation and follow-up of the assessment. The pilot of the instrument in 3 countries in 2020 validated it and required minor adjustments in the instrument. By mid-2023, the instrument has been successfully applied in 5 countries. CONCLUSIONS The developed instrument enables a comprehensive review of the resilience of OAT programs and their ability to scale up and to inform a roadmap for improved sustainability. While developed in the context of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, it has been reviewed by a global advisory panel and could be easily adapted outside this regional context.
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Jha A, Kolesar RJ, Comas S, Gribble J, Ugaz J, Gonzalez-Pier E. Getting ready for reduced donor dependency: the co-financing of family planning commodities. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:87-93. [PMID: 37987720 PMCID: PMC10775212 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Family planning (FP) programmes in low and lower-middle income countries are confronting the dual impact of reduced external donor commitments and stagnant or reduced domestic financing, worsened by economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-financing-a donor-government agreement to jointly fund aspects of a programme, with transition towards the government assuming increasing responsibility for total cost-can be a powerful tool to help build national ownership, fiscal sustainability and programme visibility. Using Gavi's successful co-financing model as reference, the current paper draws out a set of key considerations for developing policies on co-financing of FP commodities in resource-poor settings. Macroeconomic and contextual sensitivities must be incorporated while classifying countries and determining co-financing obligations-using the actual GNI per capita on a scale or sovereign credit ratings, in conjunction with programmatic indicators, may be preferred. It is also important for policies to allow sufficiently long time for countries to transition-dependent on the country context, may be up to 10 years as allowed under the US Agency for International Development FP graduation policy and flexibility to revisit the terms following externalities that can influence the fiscal space for health. Incentivizing new domestic financing to pay for co-financing dues is critical, so as not to displace government funding from related health or social sector programs. Pragmatic ways to ensure country compliance can include engaging both the ministries of health and finance as co-signatories to identify and address known administrative and fiscal challenges; establishing dedicated co-financing account with the finance ministry; and instituting a mutual monitoring mechanism. Lastly, the overall process of policymaking can benefit from an alignment of goals and interests of the key development partners.
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Peng Y, Bassett JK, Hodge AM, Melaku YA, Afshar N, Hopper JL, MacInnis RJ, Lynch BM, Smith-Warner SA, Giles GG, Milne RL, Jayasekara H. Adherence to 2018 WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations and Risk of Cancer: The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024; 33:43-54. [PMID: 37943161 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined associations between adherence to adaptations of the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations and total, exposure-related and site-specific cancer risk. METHODS A total of 20,001 participants ages 40 to 69 years at enrollment into the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study in 1990 to 1994, who had diet, body size, and lifestyle reassessed in 2003 to 2007 ("baseline"), were followed-up through June 2021. We constructed diet and standardized lifestyle scores based on core WCRF/AICR recommendations on diet, alcohol intake, body size and physical activity, and additional scores incorporating weight change, sedentary behavior, and smoking. Associations with cancer risk were estimated using Cox regression, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS During follow-up (mean = 16 years), 4,710 incident cancers were diagnosed. For highest quintile ("most adherent") of the standardized lifestyle score, compared with lowest ("least adherent"), a HR of 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.92] was observed for total cancer. This association was stronger with smoking included in the score (HR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.67-0.81). A higher score was associated with lower breast and prostate cancer risk for the standardized score, and with lung, stomach, rectal, and pancreatic cancer risk when the score included smoking. Our analyses identified alcohol use, waist circumference and smoking as key drivers of associations with total cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS Adherence to WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations is associated with lower cancer risk. IMPACT With <0.2% of our sample fully adherent to the recommendations, the study emphasizes the vast potential for preventing cancer through modulation of lifestyle habits.
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Yu Z, Chen J, Yu R. Dose the increasing burden of social endowment affect sustainable development of economy? PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296512. [PMID: 38165985 PMCID: PMC10760761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid increase in the number of older people under the background of population aging has gradually changed the disease spectrum of society, making aging diseases more prevalent, and increasing the demand for health care services, medical and health services, and health insurance among older people, ultimately leading to increasing household and social spending on old age. This study is conducted to assess the impact of those spending burden on the sustainable development of economy and find out some practical and effective solutions. This paper constructs a theoretical model to illustrate the relationship between the old-age dependency ratio and the marginal product of capital (MPK), and then establishes a two-way fixed effect model based on transnational panel data of 81 countries from 1981 to 2017 to verify this relationship empirically. This paper finds that, after controlling a series of variables, an increased burden of old-age dependency leads to a decline in the MPK, a key macroeconomic variable and also a sustainable development criteria, but in which health care, health security systems, and technological innovation play a key and moderating role. The conclusion is also valid after tackling the problem of endogeneity with different methods, like two-stage least squares (TSLS) and the generalized methods of moments (GMM). Overall, before population aging, countries that are old-but-not-rich should encourage more supply-side investments in public health system or technological innovation, and adjust retirement system, or gradually encourage childbearing to strive for time and space for later sustainable development of public health system and economy.
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Modise GL, Uys K, Masenge A, du Plooy E. Relationship between demographic characteristics and return-to-work for loss of income claimants at the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Botswana. Work 2024; 77:1101-1114. [PMID: 37781840 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund Botswana compensates claimants who lose their incomes due to road traffic accidents. In Botswana, road traffic accidents are becoming more frequent, and the MVA Fund is experiencing escalating claims. We describe the demographic characteristics of loss of income (LOI) claimants of the MVA Fund Botswana. We assess whether demographic characteristics are related to return to work (RTW). OBJECTIVE We retrospectively reviewed records of MVA Fund claimants and extracted demographic information. We investigated the demographic profile and the relationship between demographic information and RTW. METHODS We reviewed 432 LOI claims received by MVA Fund from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. We descriptively analysed the demographic profiles of claimants. We used a univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between independent demographic variables and the dependent variable, RTW. RESULTS MVA Fund claimants were on average 37-years-old. Claimants were mostly from low-income socio-economic backgrounds. RTW was significantly associated with injury severity, type of injury, and having a RTW plan offer. The final predictors of RTW, using logistic regression, were time away from work and severity of injury. CONCLUSION In Botswana, claimants who had severe injuries and who stayed away from work for longer were less likely to RTW. The MVA Fund Botswana must recognise the demographic profiles of claimants which are likely to influence RTW.
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Wang X, Wang X, Zhai Y. Advancing sustainable financial management in greening companies through big data technology innovation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5641-5654. [PMID: 38123775 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30950-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Incorporating sustainability into financial management procedures has emerged as a critical component in the modern business landscape for organizations looking to strengthen their environmental stewardship while guaranteeing financial viability. The study "Advancing Sustainable Financial Management in Greening Companies through Big Data Technology Innovation" explains the crucial role that big data technologies play in empowering businesses to incorporate environmental sustainability into their financial management strategies. The research the strong link between big data analytics and the optimization of sustainable financial management in businesses from year 1990 to 2022. The study's findings show that big data analytics enables firms to make data-driven decisions, significantly increasing the effectiveness of their sustainability activities. With the enormous amounts of data that big data technologies can analyze, businesses can access actionable insights that make it easier to identify and reduce environmental impacts, use resources more efficiently, and streamline supply chains to support sustainability. To emphasizes the businesses can match their financial goals with sustainability objectives through big data technology without sacrificing profitability. Big data analytics may help businesses assess environmental risks and find possibilities for sustainable investment, enabling them to make well-informed financial decisions consistent with their commitment to environmental stewardship. The conclusion emphasizes the businesses to adopt big data technology focusing on long-term financial management strategically. The growing environmental problems that endanger the world's ecosystems underscore even more how crucial it is to include these advancements. Therefore, integrating sustainability into financial management using big data technology is not just a choice but a requirement for businesses to succeed in this century. The study demonstrated that the businesses, decision-makers, and other stakeholders to understand and use big data technologies' potential to advance sustainable financial management and build more resilient and sustainable corporate environments.
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Longo F, Locatelli F, Del Vecchio M, Di Giulio P, Giordano S, Odone A, Ranieri VM, Vineis P. Tackling the crisis of the Italian National Health Fund. Lancet Public Health 2024; 9:e6-e7. [PMID: 38176843 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(23)00277-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
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Ham C. Think tanks and health policy in the United Kingdom: The role of the King's Fund. J Health Serv Res Policy 2024; 29:51-55. [PMID: 37878662 PMCID: PMC10729535 DOI: 10.1177/13558196231207808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The King's Fund is a long-established health policy think tank involved in work on evidence-based policy in the United Kingdom. There have been few accounts of how think tanks operate. This essay seeks to partially fill that gap by reviewing the work of the Fund between 2010 and 2018, when the author was its chief executive. The essay outlines the history and status of the Fund, its funding and staffing, and the range of activities undertaken. Examples of policy areas in which the Fund was active and its impact on both policymakers in central government and leaders working in the National Health Service are discussed.
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