Responding to requests for information on health systems from policy makers in Asian countries
Judith Healy (1), John Maxwell (1), Phua Kai Hong (2), Vivian Lin (3) and collaborators
1. Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
2. National University of Singapore
3. La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization, December 2007
“……Policy makers in the Asian region, compared to those in Europe and OECD countries, generally have less access to relevant evidence-based information on the workings of their health systems. This study aimed to assess the level of interest in the establishment of an Asian regional mechanism, whether a centre or network, with the capacity to respond to questions from policy makers.
The purpose of a regional mechanism with the capacity to offer information on health systems would be to promote the take-up of research evidence by policy makers in participating Asian countries, and thus help strengthen their health systems and thereby improve the health of their populations…”
Contents
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 Health policy challenges in rapidly changing societies
3 Views on an Asian region information mechanism
4 Health systems information mechanisms: international overview
4.1 On-call evidence for policy-makers
4.2 Information centres and knowledge networks
4.3 Centres for systematic reviews
5 Information mechanisms: options for Asia
6 From ideas to action
Bibliography