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Advancing Science for Global Health
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Home > Global Health Matters Jul/Aug 2019 > WHO uses World Report funding data in its analyses Print

WHO uses World Report funding data in its analyses

July / August 2019 | Volume 18, Number 4

The world’s leading research funders should give more consideration to the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), according to a recent commentary in the WHO Bulletin. Using data in the World Report platform, an analysis showed that globally, almost three-quarters of all grants in 2016 were for NCDs (72%; 40,035), followed by communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions (20%; 11,123) and injuries (6%; 3,056). Yet when these data are analyzed in LMICs, the findings are reversed, with roughly three-quarters of grants awarded for research into infectious diseases, maternal health and nutritional conditions.

Responding more effectively and equitably to the health-care needs of people with NCDs, and influencing public policies in sectors outside health that tackle shared risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, could prevent most premature deaths from NCDs, according to the article. “Addressing these needs through locally relevant research questions would contribute to halting this increasing burden of largely preventable diseases.”

The WHO’s Global Observatory on Health Research and Development was established in January 2017 to assist partners in coordinating and prioritizing new investments in health research and development.

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