Findings from the Field
What We're Reading: Week of February 25
- Domestic spending for health is on the rise, but still isn’t high enough. A new report on global health expenditure shows that less than 40 percent of all spending on primary health care comes from governments.
- A study in the US found that people in communities with more primary health care physicians live longer: moving to a zip code with a higher density of primary care physicians was found to increase a person’s life expectancy by up to 51 days.
- The WHO announced that this year's World Health Day will focus on universal health coverage. Details for how to join the campaign are forthcoming.
- Measuring primary health care expenditure has been difficult in part because of the lack of a universal definition and methodology. A new study finally provides a path forward.
- The UK National Institute of Health Research has launched a health policy and systems online research community via Slack. Individuals can share thoughts and ideas that will help inform future funding and programs.
- Cross-border vaccination continues to be a priority for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as unchecked movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan is threatening efforts to eradicate polio. Building resilient health systems can help ensure no one falls through the cracks.
- “Gathering real-time data is likely essential for advancing the scientific community’s ability to predict outbreaks,” writes a group of scientists attempting to identify outbreaks before they become pandemics.
- Prioritizing women’s health over all other health goals can, paradoxically, threaten the wellbeing of people and societies. Malawi’s experience highlights why we need equitable health systems that meet everyone’s needs.