Health systems analysis for better health system strengthening

The purpose of this literature review is to summarize current efforts in measuring health system performance and to highlight the indicators and performance benchmarks most frequently used by the global community. The review also aims to serve as a resource for health system experts working on building consensus around a core set of indicators for monitoring and evaluating health system performance. The literature review is particularly useful in the context of the Millennium Development Goals and the “Countdown to 2015” initiative, as well as in the context of current U.S. Government presidential initiatives, bilateral programs, and host-country planning processes.

Health Policy and Planning, 2012

DK and JVL have been engaged in establishing a new society for health systems research (Health Systems Global) since its idea phase, over a year ago. MPK has actively participated in the discussions leading to the translation of this concept into reality. This paper outlines some of the thinking that has gone into the initial interim design of the society and includes our hopes for how the society will develop.

PLOS One, 2011

Background: The past decade has seen several high-level events and documents committing to strengthening the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR) as a critical input to strengthening health systems. Specifically, they called for increased production, capacity to undertake and funding for HPSR. The objective of this paper is to assess the extent to which progress has been achieved, an important feedback for stakeholders in this field.

Background: While there is an extensive literature on Health System (HS) strengthening and on the performance of specific HSs, there are few exhaustive syntheses of the challenges HSs are facing worldwide. This paper reports the findings of a scoping review aiming to classify the challenges of HSs investigated in the scientific literature. Specifically, it determines the kind of research conducted on HS challenges, where it was performed, in which health sectors and on which populations. It also identifies the types of challenge described the most and how they varied across countries. Methods: We searched 8 databases to identify scientific papers published in English, French and Italian between January 2000 and April 2016 that addressed HS needs and challenges. The challenges reported in the articles were classified using van Olmen et al.'s dynamic HS framework. Countries were classified using the Human Development Index (HDI). Our analyses relied on descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Health Policy, 2009

Governance is thought to be a key determinant of economic growth, social advancement and overall development, as well as for the attainment of the MDGs in low-and middleincome countries. Governance of the health system is the least well-understood aspect of health systems. A framework for assessing health system governance (HSG) at national and sub-national levels is presented, which has been applied in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean.

2010

Abstract: The World Bank often carries out in-depth analysis of the conditions and challenges facing different sectors in our client countries as a contribution to developing the analytical and information base for lending, policy dialogue, and more in-depth analytical ...

2010

Weaknesses in health systems contribute to a failure to improve health outcomes in developing countries, despite increased official development assistance. Changes in the demands on health systems, as well as their scope to respond, mean that the situation is likely to become more problematic in the future. Diverse global initiatives seek to strengthen health systems, but progress will require better coordination between them, use of strategies based on the best available evidence obtained especially from evaluation of large scale programs, and improved global aid architecture that supports these processes. This paper sets out the case for global leadership to support health systems investments and help ensure the synergies between vertical and horizontal programs that are essential for effective functioning of health systems. At national level, it is essential to increase capacity to manage and deliver services, situate interventions firmly within national strategies, ensure effective implementation, and coordinate external support with local resources. Health systems performance should be monitored, with clear lines of accountability, and reforms should build on evidence of what works in what circumstances.

Health policy and …, 2011

Significant scale-up of donors' investments in health systems strengthening (HSS), and the increased application of harmonization mechanisms for jointly channelling donor resources in countries, necessitate the development of a common framework for tracking ...