Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) Presented by, John Frank, Scientific Director, Institute of Population and Public Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Canada s involvement in Global Health Research through the 1990s hdeclining ODA during the 1990 s--from 0.50% of GNP in 1988 to 0.29% in 1998 [the international target is 0.70%] hthe core health research budget of IDRC (International Development Research Centre) fell from CAN $15 million to $4 million during the 1990 s. hcida s ODA budget for the social development (including health) is beginning to rise again; the projection for health & nutrition is for an increase over 5 years from $152 to $305 million. hsomewhat patchy university involvement in GHR
Global Health Research Mosaic Fractured Canadian Capacity to Support Global Health Research Pre-2000: MRC (Medical Research Council) Predominantly domestic focus IDRC (International Development Research Centre) Targeting of Southern researchers; health focus reduced in 1990s CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) Development (not research) focus; targeting Southern partners Health Canada Interest in global health concerns, but limited research funding
Sharing the Vision in 2001: Global Health Research Initiative Partners A partnership that brings together four federal agencies deploying their distinctive strengths to increase Canada s contributions to global health research and its use. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Experience with research in developing countries; Health Canada (HC) Considerable knowledge base and recognized leadership; Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Considerable development experience and its emphasis on evidence-based health development; and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strong tradition of excellence in research through the peer-review process.
The Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) The GHRI partners, CIDA, CIHR, HC, IDRC, support activities that meet the following objectives: shaping and responding to the global health research agenda influencing policy and policy coherence relating to global health research and, facilitating information sharing among partner agencies
In the last 2 years the GHRI partners have invested: $7.9 M in Research grants in 2003 and 2004 sixty-two (62) one-year grants were supported by IDRC and CIHR Nine (9) Institutes and CIHR s HIV/AIDS Program were involved a total of 148 applications were accepted. Six (6) two-to-four year grants were supported in 2004 through CIDA s Canadian International Immunization Initiative (CIII) under the GHRI Operational Research Grants program
Guiding Principles for Global Health Research Collaborations Equity-oriented focus Balanced approach Putting Southern countries first Inclusive partnerships Mentoring Link to international development agenda
A Sampling of Topics and Settings of Funded GHR Grants Child and Maternal Health - Canada and Ghana, China, Mongolia, Tanzania, India, Nepal, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Senegal Health of Indigenous Populations Globally - Canada and USA, Greenland, Russia, Australia, Colombia, Panama, Japan, Thailand Equity and Health Canada and Tanzania, South Africa Aging Canada and India, Chile Gender & Health Canada and Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia, Nigeria, Cuba, Mexico Mental Health Canada and Brazil, Jamaica, Peru Environment & Health Canada and Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Cote d Ivoire HIV/AIDS Canada and India, South Africa, Uganda, Mali, Mongolia, Burkina Faso, Cote d Ivoire, Nigeria, Mexico, Argentina, Uganda Circulatory and Respiratory Disease Canada and China, Chile, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Russia, UAE, Zimbabwe Strengthening National Health Systems Canada and Uruguay, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Israel, Chile Malaria and Water-borne infections Canada and Vietnam Global Pandemics of Chronic Disease Canada and China, Australasia
In the last 2 years the GHRI partners have invested in: Afri-Canada Working Group African Health Research Forum (AfHRF), GHRI partners and CCGHR collaborate on health research priorities identified by AfHRF in 2000. Priorities are Research Leadership and Management Capacity. Partnership for Global Health Equity The IDRC-led small grants program to catalyse the exploration of mechanisms for Canada-South-global partnerships that involve the production or utilization of equity-oriented research for health was launched for the first time in 2001 with multiple-partner contributions from GHRI and others.
Building capacity for GHR in Canada - the creation of the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR) We promote better and more equitable health worldwide by: mobilizing greater Canadian investment in global health research nurturing productive research partnerships among Canadians and people in low and middle-income countries translating research into action A not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board. Currently 278 members including: Global health researchers People actively engaged in applying research to improve global health Organizations interested in funding health research Members of the general public who share our vision and goals
Turning Research into Action the GHRI Supports CCGHR s 1 st Summer Institute for New Global Researchers 1 st Summer Institute for New Global Health Researchers Halifax, Nova Scotia 2004 This year s training opportunity encouraged south-north partnership in addressing a specific research to action challenge. Pairs of researchers came from Canada (10) and Bolivia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, China (2), Cuba (2) Mali, Malawi, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda (2) and Zambia.
Future Challenges to the GHRI Global Health Research centres or networks Country focussed initiative Intervention research on priority problems
CIHR: Current Home to the Administrative Team Coordinating Global Health Research in Canada For further information, please visit the CIHR website http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/13249.html or contact: Roberta Llloyd, Global Health Research Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) 160 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9 E-mail: rlloyd@cihr-irsc.gc.ca