Global spending on health research by both the public and private sectors amounts to about US$56 billion annually (1992 estimate). Less than 10% of this amount is devoted to 90% of the world’s health problems (the 10/90 gap).
The Global Forum for Health Research was established as a Foundation in Geneva in 1998. Its central objective is to help correct the 10/90 gap by increasing the allocation of research funds for diseases affecting the large majority of the world’s population and by linking the efforts of key partner institutions.
The Global Forum uses two main strategies: Analytical work for priority setting helps prioritize health research agendas and highlight neglected research areas. The Global Forum proposes a practical priority-setting framework for use at global, regional and national levels. The framework is based on a five-step process: (i) magnitude of the problem (burden of disease), (ii) determinants of the burden of disease, (iii) present knowledge, (iv) cost-effectiveness of future interventions, (v) resource flows for research. Initiatives bring together a wide range of partners to find solutions to priority health problems, thus attracting new financing. Examples include the Alliance for Health Systems and Policy Research, Medicines for Malaria Venture, Child Health and Nutrition Research, Global Tuberculosis Research Initiative, Cardiovascular Health in Developing Countries, Violence against Women, and Public/Private Partnerships Initiative. An annual meeting brings together partners committed to helping correct the 10/90 gap. Forum 4 is part of the International Conference on Health Research for Development (Bangkok, October 2000).
Learning Objectives: To foster partnerships to help solve the 10/90 gap in health research funding and to use priority-setting mechanisms to help coordinate donor investments to guide health research funding
Keywords: Research, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Discussion will focus on the work of the Global Forum for Health Research, a non-profit foundation promoting research to improve the health of the poor
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Dr de Francisco is Senior Public Health Specialist at the Global Forum for Health Research. The Global Forum is a non-profit foundation.