Global health briefs - September 2018

New report examines global quality of care

Up to 8 million deaths occur each year from poor quality of care in developing countries−more than HIV, TB and malaria combined−according to a report published by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The study calls for more implementation science research and development of interventions to improve care.

• Crossing the Global Quality Chasm: Improving Health Care Worldwide
  National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, August 28, 2018

Study explores gaps in postdoc training

A landmark report identifies gaps in externally funded international postgraduate research training in Africa. While strengthening research capacity is recognized as a leading strategy to overcome health disparities worldwide, the study finds that support for research training is very unevenly distributed.

• New report highlights gaps in postgraduate research training in Africa
  TDR news, September 7, 2018

Health policy and systems research studied

For health policy and systems research to remain relevant, its practitioners must re-think how health systems are conceptualized to keep up with rapid changes in how diseases are diagnosed and managed, according to a recent report published in the journal Health Research Policy and Systems.

• Health policy and systems research: the future of the field
  Health Research Policy and Systems, December 2018

NIH develops resource for behavioral trials

The NIH is requesting public comment on a draft Behavioral and Social Clinical Trials Template, created to guide investigators through the systematic development of a comprehensive clinical protocol. This is an expansion of the e-Protocol Tool.

• The Behavioral and Social Clinical Trials Template: a new resource
  NIH Office of Science Policy blog post, August 27, 2018

Free diabetes resource published online

A one-stop reference for medical information about diabetes has been published online by the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The publication contains prevention, treatment and other information.

• Diabetes in America
  NIDDK/NIH, August 2018

FDA expands incentive program

The FDA has added Lassa fever, chikungunya, rabies and cryptococcal meningitis to a program designed to encourage development of new treatments. The initiative gives companies that develop drugs for certain tropical diseases a special pass to speed up the process for a future drug application.

• FDA adds four tropical diseases to priority review voucher program to encourage drug development in areas of unmet need
  FDA In Brief, August 23, 2018

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