Macroeconomics and Health at Forum 8 and Ministerial Summit on Health Research - November 2004
Macroeconomics and Health work in countries was highlighted during two sessions at Forum 8, the annual meeting of the Global Forum on Health Research, and the Ministerial Summit for Health Research. Forum 8 focused on global efforts to expand health research in neglected areas to support achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Ministerial Summit for Health Research was a parallel event organized by WHO and hosted by the Mexican Government. It focused on how knowledge could be shared and translated into action at the country level to address the constraints to achieving the health-related MDGs. Both events were held 16-20 November 2004 in Mexico City.
Forum 8 session
At the Forum 8 session, the Mexican national commission (CMMS) presented its report, which studies the relationship between health and economic development in Mexico and helps identify priority actions that better link health and economic policies. The session was co-chaired by Eduardo González Pier, CMMS Executive Secretary and Head of Economic Analysis, Ministry of Health, Mexico and Sergio Spinaci, Executive Secretary of the Coordination of Macroeconomics and Health Support Unit. The report is now being circulated to key stakeholders for comments. Please see the report at http://ipd.udlap.mx/
Ministerial Summit session
The objective of the working session at the Ministerial Summit was to review progress in development of the national MH commissions in Mexico, India and China. It found similarities in each with respect to 1) creation of a national mechanism 2) similar and central issues of macroeconomics and health being analysed, and 3) all will soon complete a report containing evidence for review of health policies. Issues that the national mechanisms are dealing with include the following:
- measuring the main health problems in the country
- analyzing the relationships between health, growth, and poverty in their various dimensions (including the great similarities between the health situation of the poorest of these countries and that of the least developed countries)
- specific health issues confronting the absolute poor
- health financing and issues of universal health insurance programs
- the functioning of health systems and health research systems
- health as a public good in economic development
- formulation of new health goals for the country.
Attention was drawn to gaps in availability of data and other constraints to producing research to inform national planning and policymaking. It was agreed that the CMH report and follow-up process have helped shift the focus from health as an expenditure to health as an investment.
This session was chaired by Julio Frenk, Secretary of Health of Mexico. Featured speakers included Nora Lustig, President of the Mexico Commission on Macroeconomics and Health; Sujatha Rao, Member Secretary of the India National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health; Ann Mills, Head of the Health Economics and Financing Programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; and Sergio Spinaci. A representative involved in MH work in China was not able to attend but a presentation was passed around to participants.
Presentations
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Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic Development - Report by the Mexican Commission on Macroeconomics and Health
ppt, 7.79Mb -
Investing in targeted research to drive health planning and financing: experience of NCMH India
pdf, 787kb -
Investing in Targeted Research to Drive Health Planning & Financing ― A brief introduction to the joint research program between DRC and WHO in China
pdf, 79kb
Note: The representative from China did not attend the session. This presentation was distributed to participants.