Global health briefs April 2013

March / April 2013 | Volume 12, Issue 2

New journal examines implementation

Global Health: Science and Practice is a new open-source journal targeting program implementers. The peer-reviewed publication is produced by USAID, Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University.

mHealth standards vital to scale-up

The current lack of standards and limited technological integration in mHealth are key barriers that must be addressed, according to a report from the mHealth Alliance. The study provides an overview of the current state of the field and offers recommendations for action.

• Read the full March 15, 2013 news release Standards for Mobile Health Vital to Reaching Scale from the mHealth Alliance.

Vaccine patch holds promise

An innovative product may make it easier and cheaper to deliver lifesaving vaccines in low-resource settings. Studies of the vaccine patch, which offers easy application and safe storage at room temperature, are partly funded by the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

• Read the full article, Preventing Diseases May Soon Be As Simple As Applying A Band-Aid from the February 16, 2013 Business Insider Science.

USAID launches university network

USAID has formed a partnership with seven U.S. and foreign universities to develop novel solutions to global challenges. The $26 million Higher Education Solutions Network will establish development labs at each institution.

• Read more about how USAID launched a new network to engage students and universities in solving international development challenges, which USAID announced in a November 9, 2012 news release.

PEPFAR evaluation released

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been "globally transformative," according to an extensive program evaluation conducted by the Institute of Medicine.

• Access more information about the evaluation of PEPFAR by IOM, including a news release, report brief, and free download of the e-book of the full report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

US global health engagement studied

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has published a primer on the U.S. government engagement in global health, highlighting bipartisan support, conceptual and operational gains achieved and the need for sustained involvement.

• Access the full report, Global Health Policy in the Second Obama Term from SmartGlobalHealth.org of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Addressing noncommunicable diseases research gaps

New findings offer systemic solutions to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries. The Johns Hopkins University study provides actionable recommendations for improving NCD policy, research and, ultimately, care.

• Read the full February 4, 2013 news release New findings offer systemic solutions to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries [PDF, <1M] from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).

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