Priorities for research on equity and health: Implications for global and national priority setting and the role of WHO to take the health equity research agenda forward

Abstract

The current issues paper was commissioned by the Equity Analysis and Research Unit of WHO Geneva to update the advice provided in 2005. It sets forth the broad parameters for a global research agenda on equity and health taking stock of contemporary efforts stakeholder discussions relevance to Member States and expected innovations. Organised in three sections (Background Research priorities and Next steps) this paper aims to stimulate further thinking debate and refinement of strategic approaches focussing WHO support and collaborations to advance global research on equity and health. It is not a comprehensive review of research in the area of equity and health nor of approaches to support research policies and their implementation in this area. Key strategic issues on which this paper aims to stimulate discussion are: 1. Based on recommendations and learning from the Commission on Social Determinants of Health the Knowledge Networks set up to support the CSDH and other contemporary efforts what areas of research could WHO concentrate support on to best advance greater health equity? 2. What aspects of research including the development of concepts methods norms and standards and synthesis approaches could best benefit from global collaboration? 3. How can WHO support and guide collaborations to maximise the relevance of global research on equity and health to specific countries and sub-populations; and 4. What core strategies and innovative opportunities could increase research collaborations and the uptake of research involving a wider range of investigators institutions and civil society organisations from low- and middle-income countries? (Excerpts)