WHO Scientific Resource Group on Health Equity Analysis and Research
In January 2010, the World Health Organization established a global WHO Scientific Resource Group (SRG) on Health Equity Analysis and Research to support WHO on its programme of work on equity and health. The SRG, chaired by Professor Cesar G. Victora (President Elect of the International Epidemiological Association), will channel global expertise and international collaboration to reduce health inequities through action on the social determinants of health. The convening of this SRG is one response to the World Health Assembly Resolution 62.14 passed in May 2009, which calls upon the international community to consider health equity in working towards achievement of the core global development goals, develop indicators to monitor progress, and strengthen international collaboration. Members of the SRG will advise WHO on strategic directions, program activities, objectives and priorities, as well as contribute to norms and standards, products and services addressing equity and health, including the WHO Global Health Observatory.
The SRG is divided into four subgroups -- Indicators, Advocacy, Research, and Policy -- each with a sub chair. Each subgroup includes established experts as well as promising leaders in relation to measurement, monitoring and analysis, research methods, management and policy. Members are drawn from research and training institutions, universities, ministries, other institutes, governmental and non-governmental, as well as from other UN organizations, development banks, etc., from all regions of the world. A fifth subgroup exists, made up of interested WHO staff from across the organization.
Indicators
This subgroup focuses on recommendations for what and how WHO should monitor and report on health inequities within and across countries, as part of core WHO global health statistics and the new WHO Global Health Observatory. The subgroup will also develop guidelines for national surveillance and monitoring in light of different contexts and data availability.
Advocacy
This subgroup focuses on further assembling of evidence on the extent of inequities within public health conditions - specifically those which involve large inequities in social determinants, in effective coverage or in health outcomes. This subgroup will identify select interventions that can be put in place and the impact of these interventions on health equity. The group will also advocate for interventions to be implemented and evaluated in different contexts.
Research
This subgroup focuses on research policy guidance on ways to incorporate equity and health topics within research calls and selection of proposals, improve research questions, methods and capacities in this area, and extend beyond traditional knowledge producers; this includes a particular focus on approaches to evaluate complex and specific policies and interventions from an equity perspective.
Policy
This subgroup, mostly made up of individuals working in Ministries of Health, focuses on practical tools and solutions to challenges faced by Ministries in terms of addressing health inequities, improving the documentation on what works in different settings, and sharing experiences, including approaches to communicate social determinants and health equity issues to all stakeholders.
WHO staff
Reflecting specific objectives agreed upon by interested staff, this subgroup seeks to mainstream equity considerations across WHO through improving standardized approaches to analysis, interpretation and evaluation from an equity perspective, including sharing data, facilitating peer-learning, and enhancing in-house capacities and those of our constituents. This subgroup is expected to expand during 2010.