@article { author = {Gostin, Lawrence O.}, title = {The Legal Determinants of Health: How Can We Achieve Universal Health Coverage and What Does it Mean?}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {1-4}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.64}, abstract = {How can we keep people – wherever they live – healthy and safe? Among all global health initiatives, universal health coverage (UHC) has garnered most political attention. But can UHC (as important as it is) actually achieve the two fundamental aspirations of the right to health: keeping people healthy and safe, while leaving no one behind? There is a universal longing for health and security, but also a deep-seated belief in fairness and equity. Can UHC achieve both health and equity, or what I have called, “global health with justice?” What makes a population healthy and safe? Certainly, universal and affordable access to healthcare is essential, including clinical prevention, treatment, and essential medicines. But beyond medical care are public health services, including surveillance, clean air, potable water, sanitation, vector control, and tobacco control. The final and most important factor in good health are social determinants, including housing, employment, education, and equity. If we can provide everyone with these three essential conditions for good health (healthcare, public health and social determinants), it would vastly improve global health. But we also need to take measures to leave no one behind. To achieve equity, we need to plan for it, and here I propose national health equity programs of action. Society’s highest obligation is to achieve global health, with justice.}, keywords = {Universal Health Coverage,Global Health,Public Health,Equity,Justice}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3807.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3807_16a0516bb327c6f3e817f309bbd8558d.pdf} } @article { author = {Zheng, Yan and Chen, Mengni and Yip, Paul SF}, title = {A Decomposition of Life Expectancy and Life Disparity: Comparison Between Hong Kong and Japan}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {5-13}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2019.142}, abstract = {Background Life expectancy and life disparity are 2 useful indicators to assess the health condition of a society. Both Hong Kong and Japan have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. Recently, Hong Kong has overtaken Japan and topped the life expectancy rankings. However, whether Hong Kong has also outperformed Japan in life disparity is still unknown.   Methods Decomposition analyses have been conducted to evaluate age-specific contributions to the changes in life expectancy and life disparity for each of the populations. Furthermore, the differences between the 2 populations were examined over the period 1977-2016.   Results Reduction in mortality of the adult and the old age groups contributes most to the increase in life expectancy for the study period. Hong Kong has a higher life disparity than Japan, and due to the great improvement in reducing premature deaths, the Hong Kong-Japan gap has been narrowing. However, in recent years, further reduction in mortality of the oldest elderly in Hong Kong has actually contributed to the increase in its disparity, thus widening its gap with Japan again.   Conclusion Increasing dominant influence of “saving lives at late ages” is very likely to cause the reemergence of increasing life disparity in these 2 long-lived populations.}, keywords = {Mortality,Life Expectancy,Life Disparity,Hong Kong,Japan}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3748.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3748_d70ab8af86dabdb95ce1b522f654893d.pdf} } @article { author = {Wu, Dan and Lam, Tai Pong and Lam, Kwok Fai and Sun, Kai Sing and Zhou, Xu Dong}, title = {Patients’ Coping Behaviors to Unavailability of Essential Medicines in Primary Care in Developed Urban China}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {14-21}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2020.09}, abstract = {Background China rolled out the national essential medicines policy (NEMP) in primary care in 2009 and led to some unintended consequences including unavailability of essential medicines. This study examined patients’ coping behaviors to these unintended consequences of NEMP as well as the potential impact on primary care system development in Hangzhou, a developed city of China.   Methods We conducted qualitative interviews and surveys with service users, primary care physicians (PCPs), and specialists in tertiary hospitals. Qualitative findings informed the design of the survey questionnaires. Main outcomes included patients’ coping behaviors after the NEMP implementation, as well as providers’ perceptions of NEMP’s impact on primary care development. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data and descriptive analysis of the survey data were conducted.   Results Unintended effects of NEMP included frequent unavailability of certain essential drugs, leading to patient flow from primary care to hospital outpatient clinics for drug refills, difficulties in the provision of continuing care in primary care, as well as compromised patient trust in PCPs. In total, 1248 service users completed the questionnaires. A total of 132 (10.6%) were aged 60 years or above. Among 153 (57.7%) of the 265 who had some chronic condition(s) and needed long-term medication treatment, 60.1% went to hospitals for refills. Four-hundred sixty PCPs and 651 specialists were recruited. Among 404 PCPs who were aware of the NEMP policy implementation in their facility, 169 (41.8%) reported that there was often a shortage of drugs at their facilities and 44 (10.9%) reported always. Moreover, 68.6% of these PCPs thought that the NEMP could not meet their patients’ needs. Further, 44.2% (220/498) of specialists who were aware of the NEMP policy in primary care reported that they often heard patients complaining about the policy. In total, 53.1% of PCPs and 42.4% of specialists disagreed that NEMP helped direct patient flow to community-based care.   Conclusion NEMP’s unintended effects undermined patients’ utilization of primary care in a developed city in China and led to unnecessary hospital visits. Countermeasures are needed to mitigate the negative impacts of NEMP on the primary care system.}, keywords = {Essential Medicines Policy,Primary Care,Service Utilization,China}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3749.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3749_6a1986559e49d0fb75799ac27c852519.pdf} } @article { author = {Noya, Farah and Freeman, Kirsty and Carr, Sandra and Thompson, Sandra and Clifford, Rhonda and Playford, Denese}, title = {Approaches to Facilitate Improved Recruitment, Development, and Retention of the Rural and Remote Medical Workforce: A Scoping Review Protocol}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {22-28}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.27}, abstract = {Background Medical workforce scarcity in rural and remote communities is a global problem, severely challenging healthcare delivery and health equity. Both developed and developing countries report geographically uneven distributions of the medical workforce. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed and grey literature concerning approaches implemented to improve the recruitment, development, and retention of the rural medical workforce in both developed and developing countries.   Methods We will utilize the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework as the basis for this scoping review. The databases to be searched include Medline, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL Plus, and PubMed for articles from the last decade (2010-2019). Searches for unpublished studies and grey literature will be undertaken using the Google Scholar - Advanced Search tool. Quantitative and qualitative study designs will be included. Two authors will independently screen and extract relevant articles and information, with disagreements resolved by a third. Quantitative and qualitative analyses (thematic) will be conducted to evaluate and categorize the study findings.   Discussion The scoping review will aid in mapping the available evidence for approaches implemented to advance the process of recruitment, development, and retention of the medical workforce in the rural and remote areas in developed and developing nations.   Registry This protocol has been registered to Open Source Framework (https://osf.io/e83hp/).}, keywords = {Recruitment and Retention,Medical Workforce,Rural and Remote,Workforce Development,Job Satisfaction}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3772.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3772_f0b9fc578971d99a6c39333a233cd3af.pdf} } @article { author = {Kouki, Hara}, title = {Introducing Care Ethics into Humanitarianism; Comment on “A Crisis of Humanitarianism: Refugees at the Gates of Europe”}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {29-31}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2020.14}, abstract = {Since 2015, the so-called refugee crisis has transformed ‘humanitarianism’ into a word devoid of meaning or value for European politics. By now, we all know there are numerous migrant populations in Europe living under inhuman conditions and denied their inalienable human rights; still, it seems futile to argue that equal value should be attached to all lives. Introducing care ethics into relief work calls to reflect upon humanitarianism differently, as a relationship between local communities, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers and refugees that is embedded in space and time and might be allowed to have a future.}, keywords = {Refugee ‘Crisis’,Humanitarianism,Care Ethics,Solidarity Movement,Greece}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3752.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3752_dd96680967090334bdc6abf56a9a0c14.pdf} } @article { author = {Phua, Kai Hong and Goh, Lee Gan and Sharipova, Dina}, title = {Ageing in Asia: Beyond the Astana Declaration Towards Financing Long-term Care for All; Comment on “Financing Long-term Care: Lessons From Japan”}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {32-35}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.15}, abstract = {The Astana Declaration on primary healthcare in 2018 was the attempt to revive the ideals of the World Health Organization (WHO) Alma-Ata Declaration 40 years later, together with a call for the political will to provide adequate financing at acceptable quality of care. This approach is taken to achieve the past ideals of Health for All, given the new challenges of universal health coverage. The economic case for primary healthcare is justified against the growing demand due in part to the growing costs of chronic conditions and the rise of ageing population, other than the supply-side factors of the healthcare industry. Past healthcare systems have evolved greater roles of the state versus the market, but few have involved the Third Sector or civil society in more integrated ways to provide and finance long-term care (LTC) with population ageing. From the extremes of the communist state to capitalist free markets, an optimal public-private system has to reach a balance in access, cost and quality for health and LTC. Recent studies of health and LTC have distilled newer developments in public-private mixes of provision, financing and regulation, in response to the needs of fast-ageing Asian societies. While Japan was the oldest country in the world, other countries in Asia have caught up and are now acknowledged where innovative models of integrated eldercare under economic limits, hold great promise of their transferability to the rest of ageing societies. Besides other forms of integrated LTC delivery with traditional systems, newer forms of financing like savings funds and superannuation have been developed, with participation from government, industry and civil society. There is much to learn from the new Asian models of financing, using appropriate technology and social innovations, and integrating health and social systems for LTC.}, keywords = {Population Ageing,Long-term Care,Healthcare Financing,Astana Declaration,WHO Declaration on Primary Healthcare}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3758.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3758_6050a01ec239fed17e6b37adc642aa4c.pdf} } @article { author = {Partington, Andrew and Karnon, Jonathan}, title = {It’s Not the Model, It’s the Way You Use It: Exploratory Early Health Economics Amid Complexity; Comment on “Problems and Promises of Health Technologies: The Role of Early Health Economic Modelling”}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {36-38}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2020.04}, abstract = {In a review recently published in this journal, Grutters et al outline the scope and impact of their early health economic modelling of healthcare innovations. Their reflections shed light on ways that health economists can shift-away from traditional reimbursement decision-support, towards a broader role of facilitating the exploration of existing care pathways, and the design of options to implement or discontinue healthcare services. This is a crucial role in organisations that face constant pressure to react and adapt with changes to their existing service configurations, but where there may exist significant disagreement and uncertainty on the extent to which change is warranted. Such dynamics are known to create complex implementation environments, where changes risk being poorly implemented or fail to be sustained. In this commentary, we extend the discussion by Grutters et al on early health economic modelling, to the evaluation of complex interventions and systems. We highlight how early health economic modelling can contribute to a participatory approach for ongoing learning and development within healthcare organisations.}, keywords = {Economic Evaluation,Health Systems,Complexity,Decision-Making,Early Assessment}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3738.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3738_f99dbcd8962e649f118b85976e17a2e4.pdf} } @article { author = {Bowen, Sarah and Botting, Ingrid and Graham, Ian D.}, title = {Re-imagining Health Research Partnership in a Post-COVID World: A Response to Recent Commentaries}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {39-41}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.69}, abstract = {}, keywords = {Interdisciplinarity,Research Partnerships,System Change}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3810.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3810_ed62d7a4e85d7a8922730ddc692f0246.pdf} } @article { author = {Grutters, Janneke P.C. and Govers, Tim M. and Nijboer, Jorte and Tummers, Marcia and van der Wilt, Gert Jan and Rovers, Maroeska M.}, title = {Exploratory, Participatory and Iterative Assessment of Value: A Response to Recent Commentaries}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {42-44}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.76}, abstract = {}, keywords = {Innovation Policy,Innovation,Health Technology Assessment,Health Economic Modeling,Early Assessment}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3814.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3814_9b41ed51501113e90fb83800c420344f.pdf} } @article { author = {Keshvardoost, Sareh and Dehnavieh, Reza and Bahaadinibeigy, Kambiz}, title = {Climate Change and Telemedicine: A Prospective View}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {45-46}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.15171/ijhpm.2020.08}, abstract = {}, keywords = {Air Pollution,Telemedicine,Policy,Global Warming,Climate Change}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3746.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3746_716bc6155432d709e80c645989cf71e7.pdf} } @article { author = {Ozaki, Akihiko and Senoo, Yuki and Saito, Hiroaki and Crump, Andy and Tanimoto, Tetsuya}, title = {Japan’s Drug Regulation Framework: Aiming for Better Health or Bigger Profits?}, journal = {International Journal of Health Policy and Management}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {47-48}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Kerman University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2322-5939}, eissn = {2322-5939}, doi = {10.34172/ijhpm.2020.56}, abstract = {}, keywords = {Drug Regulation,Gene Therapy,Health Policy,Immunotherapy,Japan,Regenerative Medicines}, url = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3792.html}, eprint = {https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3792_8d84a2ac52282c304fd8617454806541.pdf} }