Situation analysis on evidence-informed health policy-making in Poland

Background

Over the last few years, increased international attention has been paid to bridging the gap between health research and policy-making. The situation analysis on evidence-informed policy-making (EIP) in Poland aims to increase understanding of interactions among a country’s research and policy-making communities, to determine where and how to best establish a knowledge translation platform (KTP), i.e. an organization or network that through its structure and functioning brings the worlds of research and policy together.

Methods

The methods were guided by the EVIPNet Europe Situation Analysis Manual and included a literature review, key-informant interviews and survey data analysis.

Results

In Poland, the existence of incentives or requirements stipulating the use of research evidence in health policy varies, depending on the type of policy. The use of evidence is a standard practice in drug policy, and in decisions related to the inclusion of services in the health benefit package. In other areas, some good practice examples of using evidence in policy can be identified. Yet these are rather individual, isolated and bottom-up initiatives, which neither occur systematically, nor routinely. Key challenges in view of strengthening a systemic approach to EIP relate to: overlapping mandates of key health system and research institutions, generally low research capacity and lack of knowledge translation skills.

Conclusions

Establishing and operationalizing a KTP can be an effective means of supporting sustainable EIP. Building such infrastructure, however, is a longer-term and complex process that needs to be based on the current characteristics of the country’s EIP landscape. The proposed model of a future KTP in Poland is a network with a joint secretariat within the Ministry of Health. Such form can take advantage of existing organizations’ competencies via information exchange and cooperation.

Key messages

Although systemic mechanisms for evidence-informed health policy are missing in Poland, its importance is recognized among major health system stakeholders. The proposed model of a future knowledge translation platform in Poland is a network with a joint secretariat within the Ministry of Health.

Capacity for evidence-informed policymaking across Europe: development and piloting of a multistakeholder survey

OBJECTIVES

Evidence-informed policymaking (EIP) is increasingly viewed as a complex endeavour that requires integration of research evidence with available resources and the preferences of those affected by the policy. The first technical expert meeting to enhance EIP in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region identified the scope to develop and conduct a survey to gather insights into the generation, translation and application of research evidence across the region. This article describes the process of developing and piloting a multistakeholder survey (promoted and technically supported by WHO/Europe) on the topic of capacity for EIP.

STUDY DESIGN

Rapid review and pilot cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A survey instrument was developed based on findings from the published literature and refined with input from EIP experts/champions. The online survey was then piloted using various recruitment strategies designed to maximise its reach among the key target groups (senior researchers, knowledge brokers and members of civil society).

RESULTS

The rapid review revealed a clear gap in the evidence base in relation to broader surveys of capacity for EIP, as opposed to evidence-based practice at an individual level. Thirteen responses to the pilot survey were received from individuals in 10 European countries. Reported barriers to EIP included a lack of understanding among policymakers and a lack of interaction with researchers. There were examples of efforts to enhance capacity for EIP, both at region or country level and through membership of international networks and collaborations. However, few examples were given of the application and impact of research evidence on the policymaking process.

CONCLUSION

This research has demonstrated the feasibility of developing and piloting a multicountry, multistakeholder survey to generate better understanding of evidence use in health policymaking. Next steps include incorporating the lessons learned into a revised version of the survey to be implemented with all 53 WHO/Europe Member States.

World Health Organization initiative to estimate the global burden of foodborne diseases

Foodborne diseases are a multi-sectoral public health risk closely linked with the agricultural and animal health sectors. Many foodborne diseases are zoonotic in nature. The World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to measure for the first time the real impact of foodborne diseases through the advice of its independent expert body, the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG). Through the FERG, the WHO works on both assembling and appraising existing data as well as supporting countries in conducting their own studies into the national burden of foodborne disease. This is complemented by efforts to ensure thatthe findings are meaningful and useable to policy-makers and other research end-users to implement informed policy and interventions. For the Initiative to operate effectively and achieve its objectives, linkages and collaboration at all levels, especially at the human-animal interface, need to be fostered.

Evolving public health approaches to the global challenge of foodborne infections

The landscape of foodborne infections is in flux. New pathogens emerge, established pathogens may acquire new characteristics and appear in unexpected food vehicles, while many existing problems remain unsolved. Consumers want more fresh foods year round, populations age and migrate, and the technologies and trade practices that produce foods change. Protecting the public health and minimizing the burden of foodborne illness mean expecting the unexpected, and being prepared to understand it when it occurs, so that prevention can be improved. Public health surveillance is also constantly evolving, as new diseases emerge and are judged worthy of notification, as new diagnostic tests change the ease and specificity of routine diagnosis and as social interest in particular issues waxes and wanes. Accurate health information, including reliable estimates of the burden of foodborne disease, can improve foodborne disease prevention, foster global health security, promote economic growth and development and strengthen evidence-based policy making.

Estimating the global burden of foodborne diseases--a collaborative effort

Illness and death from diseases caused by unsafe food are a constant threat to public health security as well as socio-economic development throughout the world. The full extent of the burden and cost of foodborne diseases associated with pathogenic bacterial, viral and parasitic microorganisms, and food contaminated by chemicals is still unknown but is thought to be substantial. The World Health Organization (WHO) Initiative to estimate the global burden of foodborne diseases aims to fill the current data gap and respond to the increasing global interest in health information. Collaborative efforts are required to achieve the ambitious task of assessing the foodborne disease burden from all causes worldwide. Recognising the need to join forces, the WHO Initiative has assembled an alliance of stakeholders which share and support the Initiative's vision, intended objectives and outcomes. One important collaborator is the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) which has embarked on a burden of disease study covering at least 18 foodborne diseases in nearly 30 countries.