1.  Title: Global action for health system strengthening: Policy recommendations to the G8 Task Force on Global Action for Health System Strengthening. Author: Japan Center for International Exchange. Task Force on Global Action for Health System Strengthening Source: Tokyo, Japan, Japan Center for International Exchange, 2009. 131 p. Abstract: On January 16, 2009, a high-level working group on global health convened by the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) released a report to the Japanese government outlining measures that the G8 countries should take to set them on a path toward fulfilling their existing commitments to contributing to an overall improvement in the health of individuals and communities around the world. The Working Group on Challenges in Global Health and Japan's Contributions (the "Takemi Working Group") is chaired by Japan's former Senior Vice Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare Keizo Takemi and directed by JCIE President Tadashi Yamamoto. The Japanese government will pass the report to the Italian government, encouraging them to put these recommendations on the agenda of the 2009 G8 Summit in Italy. The report includes chapters by an international team of researchers and advisors on three specific building blocks of health systems-health financing, health information, and the health workforce-that are generally acknowledged to be critical components of any strong health system. While each paper offers specific recommendations for improvements that can be made in each individual building block, they also come to several common conclusions: 1.) While there is still a dire need for more resources-financial, human, and knowledge resources-in the global health field, there is also a critical need to use existing resources more efficiently and more effectively. Recognizing that the current global financial environment will make it even more difficult to secure the resources needed to make health systems work better for everyone, the paper writers recommend complementing the quest for more resources with creative thinking on ways to achieve better health outcomes with the resources we already have. 2.) The human security concept, which has become a pillar of Japan's foreign policy, is identified as a promising approach that can be adopted globally for strengthening health systems. Human security's emphasis on the wellbeing of individuals and communities is very much in line with the ultimate goal of health system strengthening: improving people's health and making health services available to all so that they can be healthy, productive members of society. Human security also responds to the complexity of health system strengthening with its focus on integrating community empowerment with protection strategies and its recognition of the dynamic way in which health is interconnected with many other human security challenges. 3.) In all areas of health system strengthening, donor countries tend to tell their partners in developing countries how they should behave and make decisions. This can lead to confusion, with contradicting instructions often coming from multiple donors and even from single donors, and loss of motivation for stakeholders in partner countries to take ownership of processes to improve their own health sectors. Contributing to this challenge, capacity for making informed decisions on health is often weak, further discouraging domestic decision making in planning and management of health systems. The paper writers all recommend that donor countries invest in capacity building for health sector decision making at the national and local levels and, at the same time, encourage stakeholders in partner countries to drive their own planning and implementation processes. 4.) Finally, the paper writers all recommend that the G8 follow through on its commitment to accountability by establishing an annual review of its activities and accomplishments within each of these three building blocks. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | CONFERENCES AND CONGRESSES | RECOMMENDATIONS | SYSTEMS ANALYSIS | HEALTH PERSONNEL | LABOR FORCE | HEALTH POLICY | FOREIGN AID | CAPACITY BUILDING | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | INFORMATION SERVICES | PRIMARY HEALTH CARE | INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION | COORDINATION | Research Methodology | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Human Resources | Economic Factors | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Financial Activities | Program Sustainability | Programs | Organization and Administration | Information | Health Services Document Number: 328416 |
| 2. Title: Celebrating life: The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. 2009 Annual Report to Congress. Author: United States. Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator Source: Washington, D.C., Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator, 2009. 64 p. Abstract: The fifth Annual Report celebrates life. In countless communities around the world, through partnerships with the American people, courageous individuals in nations devastated by HIV/AIDS are choosing life, saving the lives of their fellow countrymen and women, and creating hope for a future free of HIV/AIDS. Through the power of these partnerships, the American people and the dedicated men and women in nations devastated by HIV/ AIDS have proven that the seemingly impossible is possible. Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | ANNUAL REPORT | EVALUATION | POLICYMAKERS | PROGRAM EVALUATION | AIDS PREVENTION | HIV PREVENTION | ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY | FOREIGN AID | INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION | TREATMENT | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | INTERVENTIONS | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Programs | AIDS | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | HIV | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health Document Number: 328418 |
3.  Title: Does health aid matter? Author: Mishra P; Newhouse D Source: Journal of Health Economics. 2009 Jun 13; Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between health aid and infant mortality, using data from 118 countries between 1973 and 2004. Health aid has a beneficial and statistically significant effect on infant mortality: doubling per capita health aid is associated with a 2 percent reduction in the infant mortality rate. For the average country, this implies that increasing per capita health aid by US$1.60 per year is associated with 1.5 fewer infant deaths per thousand births. The estimated effect is small, relative to the 2015 target envisioned by the Millennium Development Goals. It implies that achieving the MDG target through additional health aid alone would require a roughly 15-fold increase in current levels of aid. Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | RESEARCH REPORT | HISTORICAL REVIEW | HEALTH | ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES | FOREIGN AID | INFANT MORTALITY | GOALS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | RESOURCE ALLOCATION | PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS | Research Methodology | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Mortality | Population Dynamics | Demographic Factors | Population | Planning | Organization and Administration | Program Evaluation | Programs Document Number: 342295 |
| 4. Title: National AIDS Commissions in Africa: Performance and emerging challenges. Author: Morah E; Ihalainen M Source: Development Policy Review. 2009 Mar;27(2):185-214. Abstract: This article consolidates and expands on evidence on how National AIDS Commissions (NACs) in sub-Saharan Africa are measuring up to expectations that drove their rapid adoption across the continent. While their overall performance seems reasonably good, most NACs still lack adequate power and incentive structures to hold line ministries accountable, a key requirement for co-ordinating activities and mainstreaming HIV-AIDS across the public sector. Second-generation African NACs urgently need the authority and institutional stature to effectively co-ordinate the channelling of the larger funds now available through government bureaucracy. The evolution of the epidemic also imposes requirements different from those when the current NAC architecture was crafted. Language: English Keywords: AFRICA, SUB SAHARAN | CRITIQUE | RECOMMENDATIONS | EVALUATION | GOVERNMENT AGENCIES | POLICYMAKERS | INCENTIVES | COORDINATION | HIV PREVENTION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | INSTITUTION BUILDING | CAPACITY BUILDING | RESOURCE ALLOCATION | Africa | Developing Countries | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Policy | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Program Sustainability | Programs Document Number: 341093 |
| 5. Title: Decentralizing Kenya's health management system: an evaluation. January 2009. Based on further analysis of the 2004 Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey. Author: Ndavi PM; Ogola S; Kizito PM; Johnson K Source: Calverton, Maryland, Macro International, MEASURE DHS, 2009 Jan. [37] p. (USAID Contract No. GPO-C-00-03-00002-00Kenya Working Papers No. 1) Abstract: Kenya's Ministry of Health (MOH) commitment to address the inherent constraints in the health sector has included deliberate decentralization efforts aimed at strengthening the effective implementation of activities at the district level, and fostering closer coordination and collaboration amongst the line ministries, donors, organizations, and other stakeholders. Among these efforts, local District Health Management Boards (DHMBs) and District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) gradually assumed responsibilities for the operation of the facilities under their jurisdiction through a single line grant, annual work plans, and procurement plans. To assess the current effectiveness of the district health management systems in meeting their responsibilities, we analyze data from a special District Health Management module of the 2004 Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey to discern the degree to which the DHMTs and DHMBs meet norms and standards in the areas of governance and management, human resource development and management, commodity management, infrastructure development, health care financing, budgeting and management, and performance monitoring. Notably, data on DHMTs and DHMBs were missing for 20 percent of the districts. This level of nonresponse has the potential to weaken the validity of the findings, particularly when the excluded DHMTs are in provinces with some of the worst health indicators in the country. Their exclusion was due to difficult terrain and insecure environment, both of which imply that the right of the population to health care services is compromised. The results of this descriptive analysis indicate that although most of the DHMTs hold meetings frequently, the unavailability of the guidelines on the functioning of the DHMTs made it difficult to determine compliance of DHMTs with any existing norms and standards. The survey missed the opportunity to assess the activities and achievements of the HFMCs and HCMTs, which are important for decentralization. Although most of the DHMTs had documented plans for improving reproductive health, less than a quarter reported implementing their plans on time. Lack of funds and transport were the most cited reasons for failure by DHMTs to meet their supervision targets despite the near universal existence of documented supervision plans. In terms of support of human resources, continuing professional development is an accepted norm in the districts, but there is urgent need to strengthen and expand the scope of updates to serving staff through the establishment of district health training committees and regular monitoring of their activities. An assessment of available infrastructure indicated that repair and maintenance units existed in most districts, with nearly all of the districts contracted with the provincial workshop for repair and maintenance work. Communication facilities between most district hospitals and close to three quarters of the health centers with referral facilities under government management had capacity to communicate easily by telephone or two-way radio with a referral facility to arrange transport during emergencies. The situation was much better for NGO/mission-run facilities. Regarding financing issues, despite existence of both recurrent and development funds, funding for medicines, equipment, and maintaining buildings was inadequate for most districts. Sources for funding for district health services included central government funding supplemented by local government, revolving funds, and other sources. Increased annual budgetary allocations to the agreed 15 percent to ministries of health, in agreement with the Abuja accord, may increase financial resources required for medicines, equipment, and maintenance of buildings. Language: English Keywords: KENYA | ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS | RESEARCH REPORT | HEALTH SURVEYS | ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL | POLICYMAKERS | HEALTH PERSONNEL | GOVERNMENT AGENCIES | DECENTRALIZATION | HEALTH SERVICES EVALUATION | DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE | QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE | MONITORING | PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | Africa, Eastern | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Geographic Factors | Population | Health | Organization and Administration | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Program Evaluation | Programs | Evaluation | Management | Financial Activities | Economic Factors Document Number: 329888 |
| 6. Title: Maternal death review in Africa. Author: Pearson L; Debernis L; Shoo R Source: International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2009 May 8; Abstract: OBJECTIVE: WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA with other development partners have supported African Ministries of Health to institutionalize maternal death review (MDR) since 2003. To evaluate the program, its status, lessons learned, and the challenges to success were reviewed in 2007. METHODS: A standard self-administered questionnaire was sent to Ministries of Health in 46 Sub-Saharan African countries in May 2007. Completed questionnaires were returned by e-mail, processed, and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty countries completed the survey questionnaire. Maternal death is a notifiable condition in 21 (67%) counties. A national committee has been set up to plan, coordinate, and implement MDR activities in 7 countries. Fifteen countries stated that facility-based MDR is the main method selected for conducting reviews of the causes of maternal death. Fourteen (47%) countries reported that national MDR guidelines had been developed and 12 (40%) had implemented the guidelines. Fifteen (50%) countries reported that maternal deaths were reviewed and analyzed. Only 7 countries reported that the government had allocated a budget for MDR. Implementation of MDR has led to local policy changes and improvement in quality of maternal health services in several countries. Ten of the 15 countries in which analysis has been conducted reported that recommendations have been implemented at least at the health facility level. CONCLUSION: Although use of MDR is increasing in African countries, effective coverage is still low. The institutionalization of MDR requires political commitment, legal and administrative back-up, financial support, capacity development, simplified reporting forms and procedures, coordinated support of development partners, involvement of professional bodies, and regular supportive follow-up. Language: English Keywords: AFRICA | RESEARCH REPORT | EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS | CLINICAL RESEARCH | KAP SURVEYS | WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT | PREGNANT WOMEN | MATERNAL MORTALITY | NOTIFICATION | COORDINATION | AUTOPSY | INSTITUTION BUILDING | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT | HEALTH POLICY | Developing Countries | Research Methodology | Surveys | Sampling Studies | Studies | Economic Development | Economic Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Mortality | Population Dynamics | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Organization and Administration | Examinations and Diagnoses | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Program Sustainability | Programs | Financial Activities | Management | Policy Document Number: 341455 |
| 7. Title: Contraceptive projections and the donor gap: Meeting the challenge. Author: Ross J; Weissman E; Stover J Source: Arlington, Virginia, JSI, DELIVER, 2009 Feb. 44 p. Abstract: This report looks at just one component of reproductive health commodities: contraceptives: A follow-up report of the same title published in 2001, the report starts with an overview of current demand for contraceptives in 88 developing countries that depend on supplies from donors. Future needs for contraceptive commodities are projected for two scenarios: one assuming that all unmet need for family planning will be satisfied by 2015 as specified in the ICPD and the MDGs, and the other one based on the medium variant projections of the United Nations Population Division-projections that assume a more gradual contraceptive prevalence increase that is based on historical trends. The proportion of future needs that will require donor funding is estimated on the basis of historical funding trends. Those future needs are compared with current donor funding to highlight the ?donor gap,? the expected shortfall in commodity funding unless resources for commodities are increased substantially. Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | DEVELOPED COUNTRIES | RESEARCH REPORT | EVALUATION | POLICYMAKERS | FOREIGN AID | EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES | CONTRACEPTIVE AVAILABILITY | NEEDS ASSESSMENT | PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | CONTRACEPTIVE DISTRIBUTION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Contraception | Family Planning | Program Evaluation | Programs | Population Policy | Social Policy | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Distributional Activities | Program Activities Document Number: 341071 |
| 8. Title: Making the case for U.S. international family planning assistance. Author: Speidel JJ; Sinding S; Gillespie D; Maguire E; Neuse M Source: [Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Ipas], 2009 Jan. 15 p. (Report) Abstract: This report documents the urgent need for greater U.S. assistance to family planning programs in the developing world and recommends targeted investment in such programs, primarily through the U.S. Agency for International Development. Five former directors of the Population and Reproductive Health Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) issue a call for renewed U.S. political and financial commitment to international family planning programs. USAID has been the largest donor to international population and family planning efforts and a transformative source of leadership and innovation in the field. Its professional staff and technical resources are unparalleled among donor agencies. However, its funding peaked in 1995 and has declined in real terms ever since, even as the worldwide demand for family planning and other reproductive health services has grown. As a result, many successful programs in developing countries have stagnated and global fertility decline has slowed. At the beginning of a new administration and a new Congress, it is time to reverse the decline in U.S. political and financial commitment to this field of signature U.S. leadership and accomplishment, to satisfy the unmet need for services, and to improve women's reproductive health worldwide. We estimate that USAID's population budget should be increased to $1.2 billion. (Excerpts) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | RECOMMENDATIONS | EVALUATION REPORT | EVALUATION | POLICYMAKERS | FAMILY PLANNING | FOREIGN AID | USAID | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | POPULATION POLICY | GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Government Agencies | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Health | Social Policy | Policy | Programs Document Number: 331360 |
| 9. Title: Analysis of the operational policy barriers to financing and procuring contraceptives in Malawi. Author: Constella Futures. Health Policy Initiative; John Snow [JSI]. DELIVER Source: Washington, D.C., Health Policy Initiative, Constella Futures, 2008 Jun. :viii, 23 p.. viii, 23 p. (USAID Contract No. GPO-I-01-05-00040-00USAID Contract No. GPO-I-01-06-00007-00) Abstract: Contraceptive security exists when every person can choose, obtain, and use high-quality contraceptives whenever they need them. Two of the most important factors in achieving contraceptive security are adequate financing and efficient contraceptive procurement mechanisms. The USAID | Health Policy Initiative and USAID | DELIVER Project are working together to develop a methodology for identifying operational policy barriers in the financing and procurement of family planning (FP) products. The goal is to help national governments, donors, and other key stakeholders improve the policy environment for contraceptive security. This report presents the findings from a pilot study the two projects conducted in Malawi to test this methodology. Language: English Keywords: MALAWI | METHODOLOGICAL STUDIES | OPERATIONS RESEARCH | PILOT PROJECTS | DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS | PRIVATE SECTOR | USAID | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | CONTRACEPTIVE AVAILABILITY | EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES | LOGISTICS | CONTRACEPTIVE PREVALENCE | DECENTRALIZATION | CAPACITY BUILDING | Africa, Southern | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Program Evaluation | Programs | Organization and Administration | Research Methodology | Studies | Demographic Surveys | Population Dynamics | Demographic Factors | Population | Macroeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Government Agencies | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Contraception | Family Planning | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Management | Contraceptive Usage | Program Sustainability Document Number: 308944 |
| 10. Title: A multi-tiered approach to meeting family planning needs of the poor in Peru. Author: Constella Futures. Health Policy Initiative Source: Washington, D.C., Health Policy Initiative, Futures Group International, 2008 Apr. 4 p. (USAID Contract No. GPO-I-01-05-00040-00) Abstract: More than half of Peru's population lives in poverty, with significant disparities evident between urban and rural areas and between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Disparities in access to health services among income groups, and ethnic groups are found in family planning (FP) use as well. The USAID | Health Policy Initiative identified barriers that restrict poor women's access to and use of FP services, and then designed interventions to address barriers related to existing financing mechanisms. This brief summarizes a full report on the approach applied in Peru. Language: English Keywords: PERU | EVALUATION REPORT | EVALUATION | LOW INCOME POPULATION | GOVERNMENT AGENCIES | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | CONTRACEPTIVE DISTRIBUTION | FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM EVALUATION | NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT | INTEGRATED PROGRAMS | HEALTH INSURANCE | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | South America, Western | South America | Latin America | Americas | Developing Countries | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Financial Activities | Distributional Activities | Program Activities | Programs | Organization and Administration | Family Planning Programs | Family Planning | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Management | Population Policy | Social Policy | Policy Document Number: 308946 |
| 11. Title: Using national resources to finance contraceptive procurement. Policy brief. Author: John Snow [JSI]. DELIVER Source: Arlington, Virginia, JSI, DELIVER, [2008]. [9] p. (Policy Brief) Abstract: Driven by the increasing demand for and popularity of family planning, increasing population size, and changing demographics with more couples entering their fertile years, the financing requirement for contraceptives has become increasingly onerous. Strategies to finance contraceptives include expansion of the donor base; increased use of cost recovery, including revolving drug funds; greater use of the private sector; and direct government financing of contraceptive procurement. None of these is mutually exclusive, and to ensure contraceptive security, most countries are likely to use some or all of these approaches, and many others. Evidence suggests that many governments are beginning to finance contraceptive procurement using national resources, but limited data are publicly available regarding the global extent of this financing. This brief details the findings of a survey of the extent to which national governments of developing countries are using national resources to finance contraceptive procurement. The brief examines the different types of financing used, some of the benefits of this type of financing, and some of the issues it raises. Hopefully, this study can be repeated to track spending and will spur more rigorous efforts to measure this practice. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | RESEARCH REPORT | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION | SURVEYS | GOVERNMENT | USAID | LOGISTICS | CONTRACEPTIVE DISTRIBUTION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS | WORLD BANK | FOREIGN AID | FUNDS | Sampling Studies | Studies | Research Methodology | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Government Agencies | Organizations | Management | Organization and Administration | Distributional Activities | Program Activities | Programs | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | International Agencies Document Number: 326278 |
| 12. Title: The U.S. commitment to global health: recommendations for the new administration. Author: United States. Committee on the U.S. Commitment to Global Health. Board on Global Health Source: Washington, D.C., The National Academies Press, 2008 Dec 15. [64] p. Abstract: At this historic moment, the incoming Obama administration and leaders of the U.S. Congress have the opportunity to advance the welfare and prosperity of people within and beyond the borders of the United States through intensified and sustained attention to better health. The United States can improve the lives of millions around the world, while reflecting America's values and protecting and promoting the nation's interests. The Institute of Medicine-with the support of four U.S. government agencies and five private foundations-formed an independent committee to examine the United States' commitment to global health and to articulate a vision for future U.S. investments and activities in this area. Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | GLOBAL | DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | RECOMMENDATIONS | EVALUATION | POLICYMAKERS | GOVERNMENT | HEALTH POLICY | INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION | FOREIGN AID | WHO | HEALTH STATUS INDEXES | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | COORDINATION | HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANNING | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Policy | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | UN | International Agencies | Organizations | Health | Social Planning Document Number: 328213 |
| 13. Title: Congress examines the evidence on abstinence-only education programs. Author: Boonstra HD Source: Guttmacher Policy Review. 2008 Spring;11(2):19. Abstract: Continued funding for federal abstinence- only-until-marriage programs was hotly debated during a hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on April 23. The first-ever congressional hearing to examine the effectiveness of abstinence-only education clearly put social conservatives on the defensive against a wealth of evidence that such a highly restrictive educational approach is not effective in stopping or delaying teen sex. A panel of public health experts, including representatives of the American Public Health Association and the Institute of Medicine, testified that there is no evidence base to support the current, massive federal investment in abstinence-only programs. "In fact," said Margaret Blythe of the American Academy of Pediatrics, "abstinence-only programs are not only ineffective but may cause harm by providing inadequate and inaccurate information and resulting in participants' failure to use safer sex practices once intercourse is initiated." Indeed, a recent, congressionally mandated evaluation of federally funded abstinence-only programs by Mathematica Policy Research found that these programs have no beneficial impact on whether young people abstain, when they first have sex or their numbers of sexual partners. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | CRITIQUE | EVALUATION | SCHOOL AGE POPULATION | POLICYMAKERS | ABSTINENCE | SEX EDUCATION | CONSERVATISM | ADVOCACY | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE PREVENTION | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Family Planning, Behavioral Methods | Family Planning | Education | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Communication | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Reproductive Tract Infections | Infections | Diseases Document Number: 323167 |
| 14. Title: Matter of faith: Support for comprehensive sex education among faith-based organizations. Author: Boonstra HD Source: Guttmacher Policy Review. 2008 Winter;11(1):17-22. Abstract: Since colonial times, religious institutions in the United States have played a major role in providing social services to the needy. In doing so, churches and synagogues for most of the nation's history either operated without significant support from the government or set up separate nonprofits for their charity work. Over the past few decades, however, a growing movement has developed to expand partnerships between faith-based organizations and the government. The "Charitable Choice" provisions in the 1996 welfare reform law effected the most significant legislative changes to the relationship between government and faith-based organizations in recent history. President Bush has sought to build on Charitable Choice by establishing the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiative and Centers for Faith-Based Community Initiatives across several government agencies. Through these initiatives and an array of policy reforms and outreach, Bush has promoted broader involvement of faith-based organizations in social programs as a core component of his "compassionate conservative" agenda. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | CRITIQUE | EVALUATION | FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION | POLICYMAKERS | SEX EDUCATION | RELIGION | LEGISLATION | ABSTINENCE | CONSERVATISM | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION | ADVOCACY | SOCIAL POLICY | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Education | Family Planning, Behavioral Methods | Family Planning | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Communication | Policy Document Number: 325584 |
| 15. Peer Reviewed Title: Haiti's forgotten emergency. Author: Chatterjee P Source: Lancet. 2008 Aug 23;372(9639):615-618. Abstract: Haiti's new Prime Minister has stated that improving health care on the island will be one of her top priorities. But repairing the health system in a country plagued by turmoil, natural disasters, and a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic is not going to be an easy task. Initiatives to improve the situation are derailed by the constant political upheavals and bloodshed on the island. Haiti's high population density and its decrepit infrastructure mean that it is also vulnerable to devastation from natural disasters such as floods, mudslides, and hurricanes. The author reports on Haiti's political issues and their affect on health care. Language: English Keywords: HAITI | CRITIQUE | EVALUATION | WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT | CHILDREN | DISASTER RELIEF | NATURAL DISASTERS | POLITICAL FACTORS | WAR | DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE | QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | HEALTH SERVICES EVALUATION | CHILD NUTRITION | BRAIN DRAIN | Caribbean | Americas | Developing Countries | Economic Development | Economic Factors | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Financial Activities | Environment | Sociocultural Factors | Health | Program Evaluation | Programs | Organization and Administration | Nutrition | International Migration | Migration | Population Dynamics Document Number: 308336 |
| 16. Title: U.S. global HIV prevention policy: still time to get it right. Author: Cohen SA Source: Guttmacher Policy Review. 2008 Fall;11(4):2-6. Abstract: Over the summer, the United States strongly recommitted itself to fighting AIDS in the developing world. After months of wrangling earlier in the year, President Bush and congressional conservatives found a way to agree with congressional progressives on legislation renewing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).The former agreed to a much steeper increase in the financial promise to the effort to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria than they had wanted originally. In exchange, the latter made significant policy concessions, particularly around HIV prevention. Without doubt, the new PEPFAR is improved in many ways. It bolsters its previous treatment focus with an increased emphasis on care and support services for people living with HIV. In addition, the new law allows for somewhat greater prevention efforts overall, as well as some increased flexibility in how to allocate those funds. Yet, the new law's fundamental prevention policy remains fraught with proscriptions and prescriptions that will continue to hamper PEPFAR's ability to be as responsive as it could and should be to local needs in terms of supporting the most effective interventions. Also, the U.S. HIV prevention agenda is greatly weakened by ignoring the well-established interrelationships between reproductive health services and HIV prevention and AIDS treatment programs. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | CRITIQUE | RECOMMENDATIONS | EVALUATION | POLICYMAKERS | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | HIV PREVENTION | AIDS PREVENTION | FOREIGN AID | LEGISLATION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Family Planning | Population Policy | Social Policy | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | AIDS | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | HIV Document Number: 323172 |
| 17. Peer Reviewed Title: Changing cost of HIV interventions in the context of scaling-up in India. Author: Dandona L; Kumar SP; Ramesh Y; Rao MC; Kumar AA Source: AIDS. 2008 Jul;22 Suppl 1:S43-9. Abstract: BACKGROUND: A rapid scaling up of HIV interventions in India is anticipated, but systematic information on how costs of HIV interventions change over time and programme scale is not available to inform planning. METHODS: We studied the changes in unit costs of two major interventions, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and sex worker programmes in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh between 2002-2003 and 2005-2006 fiscal years. Economic costs (from the provider perspective) and output data from 17 publicly funded VCT centers and 14 sex worker programmes were collected using standardized methods. We calculated unit costs for each programme in each period and explored possible reasons for the changes seen. RESULTS: In 2005-2006, the VCT centers served 66 445 clients and the sex worker programmes served 32 550. The unit cost of providing VCT dropped over 3 years by half to Indian Rupees (INR) 147.5 (US$3.33) mainly because the number of clients doubled. There was no decrease in the average time spent counseling each client. The unit cost of providing services to sex workers increased 2.4 times over 3 years to INR 1401 (US$31.6) as a result of increases in male condom distribution, staff salaries and training, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, all suggesting improved services. CONCLUSION: The unit cost of these two interventions changed dramatically over a 3-year period, but in opposite directions. The current unit cost for VCT in Andhra Pradesh is much lower than the estimated global average for low-income settings. These local longitudinal cost data are useful to inform the currently planned scaling up of HIV interventions in India. Language: English Keywords: INDIA | RESEARCH REPORT | HIV INFECTIONS | COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | HEALTH SERVICES | RESOURCE ALLOCATION | VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING | SEX WORKERS | LOW INCOME POPULATION | Developing Countries | Asia, Southern | Asia | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Quantitative Evaluation | Evaluation | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Delivery of Health Care | Health | HIV Testing | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Sex Behavior | Behavior | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors Document Number: 328243 |
| 18. Title: 2008 National Youth Shadow Report: Progress Made on the 2001 UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV / AIDS. Senegal. Author: Dombou E; Diagne B Source: New York, New York, Global Youth Action Network, Global Youth Coalition on HIV / AIDS, 2008. 10 p. Abstract: The authors conducted a literature review of relevant policies, publications and reports, including activities and cases studies on youth interventions, interviews with national and international NGO workers, as well as policymakers involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Questionnaires were prepared on the basis of the indicators suggested by UNAIDS in the document "Guideline on Construction of Core indicators." Key findings: 1) Senegal has a national policy on HIV and AIDS to guide a multisectoral country response; 2) Only 22% of young people had accurate comprehensive knowledge on HIV, Far below the UNGASS target of 95% by 2010; 3) Youth participation in policy and programme formulation, implementation or design is almost nonexistent; and 4) A large population of adolescents and young people is out of school and very difficult to reach with information, education and services. Key recommendations: 1) An incentive policy for voluntary testing services should be instated to attract young people to get tested; 2) Public structures such as the National Centre of Blood Transfusion (CNTS) should contribute to the efforts of testing and provide advice, sensitization and training with youth; 3) The government should increase the visibility of and access to HIV awareness programs, specifically for the young sex workers, out of school youth and young people living with HIV (YPLHIV); and 4) It is necessary to employ more young people in the decision making process by granting them positions of leadership. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: SENEGAL | RESEARCH REPORT | LITERATURE REVIEW | YOUTH | MEN HAVING SEX WITH MEN | SEX WORKERS | FUNDS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING | MISINFORMATION | INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION | HIV PREVENTION | PROGRAM EVALUATION | Africa, Western | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Sex Behavior | Behavior | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | HIV Testing | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Communication | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Programs | Organization and Administration Document Number: 326059 |
| 19. Title: Breaking new ground: ingenuity and innovation in Medicaid family planning expansions. Author: Gold RB Source: Guttmacher Policy Review. 2008 Spring;11(2):7-12. Abstract: Through three waves of expansions spanning more than two decades, Medicaid has opened its doors to large numbers of women and children whose low family incomes were nonetheless too high to meet the strict eligibility requirements for the Medicaid program. In implementing these expansions, policymakers and providers in states and communities across the country have confronted myriad challenges in their efforts to enroll and serve newly eligible groups. Expansions of Medicaid eligibility for family planning, the newest of these expansions, have both built upon these earlier efforts and broken critical new ground on issues that have bedeviled policymakers and providers for years. In many ways, this progress has come through developing new and unique partnerships between state programs and providers, and by finding creative ways to leverage state dollars and funding through the federal Title X program. When Medicaid was first established in 1965, the low-income families covered by the program generally were headed by single mothers receiving welfare benefits. In the 1980s, Congress broke the welfare-Medicaid link by first allowing and later requiring states to extend eligibility for Medicaid-covered pregnancy-related care (including postpartum family planning services) to women with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level-far above most states' regular Medicaid eligibility ceiling. The expansions for pregnant women pioneered what was for Medicaid a wholly new emphasis: actively reaching out to potential clients in an attempt to locate and enroll in the program as many eligible people as possible. The family planning expansions have built upon this foundation. In the process, they have developed important innovations of their own, including a focus on program Web sites. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | PROGRESS REPORT | EVALUATION | WOMEN | LOW INCOME POPULATION | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | HEALTH INSURANCE | GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS | PUBLIC ASSISTANCE | FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Demographic Factors | Population | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Family Planning | Population Policy | Social Policy | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Financial Activities | Programs | Organization and Administration Document Number: 323166 |
| 20. Title: Role of medicaid family planning waivers and Title X in enhancing access to preconception care. Author: Gold RB; Alrich C Source: Women's Health Issues. 2008 Nov-Dec;18(6 Suppl):S47-51. Abstract: PURPOSE: This article identifies the ways in which Medicaid eligibility expansions for family planning services and the Title X network of family planning clinics provide opportunities to introduce preconception care. The introduction of family planning eligibility expansions brought in populations heretofore ineligible for Medicaid. Family planning clinics serve a large number of low-income and young women and would play an important part in introducing preconception care. However, very real barriers to preconception service provision need to be addressed before this goal can be fully realized. BACKGROUND: When established in 1965, Medicaid, by and large, covered low-income women and their children receiving welfare. A succession of Medicaid eligibility expansions for pregnancy-related care broke the link with welfare. More recently, expansions implemented in 20 states have created an eligibility pathway to Medicaid coverage for women before pregnancy. Today, whether as part of a Medicaid family planning program or independently, many women receive family planning services through the nation's system of publicly funded clinics. As the nation's only dedicated source of funding for family planning services, Title X supports a nationwide network of family planning clinics on which young women rely for affordable and confidential reproductive care. DISCUSSION: Working preconception care into the existing family planning and pregnancy care programs would create a single, continuous reproductive health care platform. Family planning clinics could introduce preconception health measures to the young women who rely on them for their reproductive health care. Important barriers to rolling out preconception care still exist, however. For family planning providers to integrate the services into their current practices, a definition of the package of services that is realistic to provide in a family planning setting must be crafted. In addition, securing a stable funding stream is a necessary prerequisite to any large-scale integration of preconception care into family planning settings. Finally, attention needs to be given to ways to talk to predominantly young clientele about preparing for a pregnancy at the moment when they are coming in for services precisely to avoid becoming pregnant. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges laid out, integrating preconception care into family planning services is achievable. Combining preconception care with family planning and pregnancy care initiatives would be a significant step in moving the country closer to the goal of providing the comprehensive reproductive health care women need. Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | CRITIQUE | EVALUATION | WOMEN | LOW INCOME POPULATION | PUBLIC ASSISTANCE | HEALTH INSURANCE | FAMILY PLANNING | PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | WOMEN'S HEALTH | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | ANTENATAL CARE | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Demographic Factors | Population | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Grants | Financial Activities | Program Evaluation | Programs | Organization and Administration | Health | Maternal Health Services | Maternal-Child Health Services | Primary Health Care | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care Document Number: 330721 |
| 21. Peer Reviewed Title: China: Policy and practice of MCH since the early 1990s. Author: Guo Y; Zakus D; Liang H Source: Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2008 Mar;12(2):139-148. Abstract: Since the socioeconomic reforms in China in the late 1970s the improvement of maternal and child health (MCH), which was once considered one of the great achievements of China after 1949, has slowed and some indicators show that the situation in some regions, especially in rural areas, is getting worse instead of better. This article will focus on policy and policy-related issues in the delivery of MCH services. It will cover historical changes in policy and their effects, especially in the financing of MCH. In addition, it will also touch upon new practices of MCH in the new cooperative medical scheme (NCMS) in present-day rural China. (author's) Language: English Keywords: CHINA | CRITIQUE | HISTORICAL REVIEW | MATERNAL-CHILD HEALTH SERVICES | DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE | GOVERNMENT | HEALTH POLICY | POLICY DEVELOPMENT | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | Asia, Eastern | Asia | Developing Countries | Primary Health Care | Health Services | Health | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Policy | Planning | Organization and Administration | Financial Activities | Economic Factors Document Number: 324355 |
| 22. Title: Family policy in Germany: appraisal and assessment. Author: Honekamp I Source: Journal of Family History. 2008 Oct;33(4):452-64. Abstract: The German government spends about euro 185 billion on measures to support families. This amount is above European Union average, but still, families have become smaller and the number of childless couples has increased. This article outlines some of the 145 German policy measures to support families and their purpose. An assessment that takes into account economic theory and empirical studies shows that an increase of monetary incentives could influence the decision to bear a child only moderately. This implies that policy measures alone cannot be held responsible for the entire difference in fertility rates between countries. Cited studies based on surveys among the German and French populations reveal how different attitudes of the population may also play their role in determining the fertility rate of a country. Language: English Keywords: FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY | CRITIQUE | THEORETICAL MODELS | ECONOMIC MODEL | CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISONS | POLICYMAKERS | FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD | FAMILY POLICY | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | FAMILY SIZE | VOLUNTARY CHILDLESSNESS | FERTILITY | ECONOMIC POLICY | INCENTIVES | FAMILY ALLOWANCES | Developed Countries | Europe, Central | Europe | Research Methodology | Comparative Studies | Studies | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Sociocultural Factors | Social Policy | Policy | Political Factors | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Family Characteristics | Reproductive Behavior | Population Dynamics | Demographic Factors | Population Document Number: 330744 |
| 23. Peer Reviewed Title: Global costs of attaining the Millennium Development Goal for water supply and sanitation. Author: Hutton G; Bartram J Source: Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2008 Jan;86(1):13-19. Abstract: Target 10 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to "halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation". Because of its impacts on a range of diseases, it is a health-related MDG target. This study presents cost estimates of attaining MDG target 10. We estimate the population to be covered to attain the MDG target using data on household use of improved water and sanitation for 1990 and 2004, and taking into account population growth. We assume this estimate is achieved in equal annual increments from the base year, 2005, until 2014. Costs per capita for investment and recurrent costs are applied. Country data is aggregated to 11 WHO developing country subregions and globally. Estimated spending required in developing countries on new coverage to meet the MDG target is US$ 42 billion for water and US$ 142 billion for sanitation, a combined annual equivalent of US$ 18 billion. The cost of maintaining existing services totals an additional US$ 322 billion for water supply and US $216 billion for sanitation, a combined annual equivalent of US$ 54 billion. Spending for new coverage is largely rural (64%), while for maintaining existing coverage it is largely urban (73%). Additional programme costs, incurred administratively outside the point of delivery of interventions, of between 10% and 30% are required for effective implementation. In assessing financing requirements, estimates of cost should include the operation, maintenance and replacement of existing coverage as well as new services and programme costs. Country-level costing studies are needed to guide sector financing. (author's) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | RESEARCH REPORT | ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES | WHO | WATER SUPPLY | WATER QUALITY | SANITATION | ECONOMIC FACTORS | FUNDS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | ECONOMIC POLICY | DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | DEVELOPMENT POLICY | Research Methodology | UN | International Agencies | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Natural Resources | Environment | Water | Public Health | Health | Financial Activities | Policy Document Number: 323459 |
| 24. Peer Reviewed Title: Macroeconomic and household-level impacts of HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Author: Jefferis K; Kinghorn A; Siphambe H; Thurlow J Source: AIDS. 2008 Jul;22 Suppl 1:S113-9. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of HIV/AIDS on economic growth and poverty in Botswana and estimate how providing treatment can mitigate its effects. METHODS: Demographic and financial projections were combined with economic simulation models, including a macroeconomic growth model and a macro-microeconomic computable general equilibrium and microsimulation model. RESULTS: HIV/AIDS significantly reduces economic growth and increases household poverty. The impact is now severe enough to be affecting the economy as a whole, and threatens to pull some of the uninfected population into poverty. Providing antiretroviral therapy can partly offset this negative effect. Treatment increases health's share of government expenditure only marginally, because it increases economic growth and because withholding treatment raises the cost of other health services. CONCLUSION: Botswana's treatment programme is appropriate from a macroeconomic perspective. Conducting macroeconomic impact assessments is important in countries where prevalence rates are particularly high. Language: English Keywords: BOTSWANA | RESEARCH REPORT | COMPARATIVE STUDIES | HIV INFECTIONS | AIDS | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | POVERTY | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | ECONOMIC FACTORS | COMPUTERS | EXPENDITURES | HEALTH SERVICES | ECONOMIC MODEL | ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY | Africa, Southern | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Studies | Research Methodology | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Socioeconomic Factors | Financial Activities | Information Processing | Information | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Theoretical Models | HIV Document Number: 328251 |
| 25. Title: The vulnerability of 'self-help': Women and microfinance in south India. Author: Kalpana K Source: Brighton, United Kingdom, University of Sussex, Institute of Development Studies, 2008 Apr. 44 p. (IDS Working Paper No. 303) Abstract: Self-help groups (SHGs) play a major role in providing microfinance in India. But they do not work alone. State institutions are also a big part of the microfinance landscape. They promote and finance SHGs, and also interact directly with them. This paper considers how this kind of 'institutionalised co-production' in service delivery works in practice. The research shows that the relationships are not symmetrical. When they seek access to bank credit, women's groups are in a dependent relationship, and are subject to, and tarnished by, the institutional imperatives, systemic corruption and political compulsions that shape the behaviour of rural development bureaucracies and banks. Part of the problem lies in a legacy of bank staff mistrusting borrowers due to arrears from previous credit granted under a different set of public schemes. Banks still try to recover old loans, and sometimes grant new loans to womens' SHGs conditional on repayments by their male relatives. Women consider the ways in which bank officials assess credit-worthiness of SHGs as sometimes being discriminatory and suggestive of caste-profiling. Since banks, as institutions, are not very sensitive to the realities of their SHG borrowers, the quality of the relationship often depends on the attitude of the bank's branch manager. Success in accessing loans is often contingent on how SHGs, bank staff, government officers and non-government organisations collude to subvert the official objective of the loan programme - enterprise-promotion. Manufacturing evidence about non-existent enterprises involves substantial costs and risks for SHGs. Providing financial services in rural India is now a profitable venture and is attracting private financing institutions, including transnational banks. It is suggested that we need to enquire further into the power dynamics that underlie relationships between the poor people using the financial services and their providers. Language: English Keywords: INDIA | CRITIQUE | EVALUATION | WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT | WOMEN'S GROUPS | RURAL POPULATION | MICROECONOMIC FACTORS | GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | POLITICAL FACTORS | DEVELOPMENT POLICY | CASTE | INCENTIVES | WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT | WOMEN'S STATUS | Developing Countries | Asia, Southern | Asia | Economic Development | Economic Factors | Interest Groups | Sociocultural Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Programs | Organization and Administration | Financial Activities | Policy | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors Document Number: 327745 |
| 26. Peer Reviewed Title: The economics of scaling up: cost estimation for HIV/AIDS interventions. Author: Kumaranayake L Source: AIDS. 2008 Jul;22 Suppl 1:S23-33. Abstract: The scaling up of HIV/AIDS programming has been one of the most extensive undertakings in international public health. Yet decision-makers are encountering significant uncertainties about financing and the need to understand programming costs at different scales of delivery. To review the economic methodologies for examining costs and variation by scale. To summarize and synthesize the current evidence related to the provision of HIV/AIDS interventions and scaling up. We used a review of economic methodologies to generate a conceptual framework for classifying existing data, looking at both short-run and long-run perspectives. A review of the literature was performed using PubMed and available grey literature. Factors facilitating comparison and generalizability are highlighted. There is growing evidence of scale variation among the costs of HIV/AIDS interventions. Scale variation has been found to explain 26-70% of cost variation across locations for similar interventions. Average costs may become larger or smaller as the volume of services expands, depending on the level of coverage and type of intervention. Key constraints to scaling up include infrastructure investments and cost results need to be interpreted in this light. Evidence to date suggests that cost efficiencies associated with scale may reflect different ways of delivering services at higher volumes, including lower quality outputs. There is still, however, an extremely limited economic evidence base and mechanisms to integrate economic analyses into routine programme monitoring are recommended. Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | METHODOLOGICAL STUDIES | LITERATURE REVIEW | ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES | COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS | CLASSIFICATION | POLICYMAKERS | AIDS PREVENTION | HIV PREVENTION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | CAPACITY BUILDING | ECONOMIC POLICY | COST EFFECTIVENESS | MONITORING | HEALTH SERVICES EVALUATION | Research Methodology | Quantitative Evaluation | Evaluation | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | AIDS | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Program Sustainability | Programs | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Evaluation Indexes | Program Evaluation Document Number: 328187 |
| 27. Title: Contraceptive procurement in Peru: diversifying suppliers. Author: Lopez-Linares R Source: Washington, D.C., Constella Futures, Health Policy Initiative, 2008 Nov. [23] p. (USAID Contract No. GPO-I-01-05-00040-00) Abstract: This report describes how the Government of Peru was successful in diversifying its procurement options and mechanisms for contraceptive commodities. It shows the progress made between 1999, when Peru began purchasing contraceptive supplies with public funds, and mid-2007, when important changes were made in procurement channels. Today, the Peruvian government procures contraceptives from multiple national and international suppliers and is able to negotiate for favorable prices and other terms. (Author's abstract) Language: English Keywords: PERU | CRITIQUE | GOVERNMENT AGENCIES | CONTRACEPTIVE DISTRIBUTION | CONTRACEPTIVE IMPORTATION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | LOGISTICS | PRICES | UNFPA | Developing Countries | South America, Western | South America | Latin America | Americas | Organizations | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Distributional Activities | Program Activities | Programs | Organization and Administration | Family Planning Program Administration | Family Planning Programs | Family Planning | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Management | Commerce | Macroeconomic Factors | UN | International Agencies Document Number: 331424 |
| 28. Peer Reviewed Title: Financing the response to AIDS: some fiscal and macroeconomic considerations. Author: Maacker M Source: AIDS. 2008 Jul;22 Suppl 1:S17-22. Abstract: This article examines the international response to AIDS from a fiscal perspective: first the financing of the international response to AIDS, especially the role of external financing, and second, a more comprehensive perspective on the costs of the national response to AIDS relevant for fiscal policy. The second half of the article focuses on the effectiveness of the response to AIDS. We find that there is little basis for concerns about macroeconomic constraints to scaling up, in light of the moderate scale of AIDS-related aid flows relative to overall aid. Regarding sectoral constraints, the picture is more differentiated. Many countries with high prevalence rates have also achieved high rates of access to treatment, but most of these are middle-income countries. Our econometric analysis credits external aid as a key factor that has enabled higher-prevalence countries to cope with the additional demands for health services. At the same time, gross domestic product per capita and health sector capacities are important determinants of access to treatment. Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | RESEARCH REPORT | ECONOMIC MODEL | POLICYMAKERS | MACROECONOMIC FACTORS | AIDS PREVENTION | INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION | FOREIGN AID | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS | PREVALENCE | PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY | CAPACITY BUILDING | ECONOMIC POLICY | Theoretical Models | Research Methodology | Administrative Personnel | Organization and Administration | Economic Factors | AIDS | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Financial Activities | Program Evaluation | Programs | Measurement | Program Sustainability | Policy Document Number: 328186 |
| 29. Title: Increasing access to family planning among the poor in Peru: building on and strengthening financing mechanisms for the poor. Author: Menotti E; Sharma S; Subiria G Source: Washington, D.C., Health Policy Initiative, Constella Futures, 2008 Apr. :iv, 28 p.. (USAID Contract No. GPO-I-01-05-00040-00) Abstract: This report describes the two-step process the USAID | Health Policy Initiative (HPI) implemented to address low levels of family planning (FP) use and to respond to the FP/reproductive health (RH) needs of poor women in the region of Junin, Peru. HPI first identified the barriers that affect poor women's access to and use of FP services, and then designed interventions to address barriers related to existing financing mechanisms to ensure a sustainable and replicable response. The report includes the background and rationale for the interventions, a review of existing literature on reaching the poor through targeted policies and programs, and a diagnosis of the Junin region that reveals barriers to access and use of FP services and financing mechanisms. The report also details how HPI selected the barriers to address and the process of implementing the selected strategies. The conclusion presents lessons learned and requirements for scaling up the strategies. Language: English Keywords: PERU | EVALUATION REPORT | EVALUATION | COUPLES | LOW INCOME POPULATION | USAID | PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY | FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM EVALUATION | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | POVERTY | SOCIAL MOBILIZATION | PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | HEALTH INSURANCE | South America, Western | South America | Latin America | Americas | Developing Countries | Family Characteristics | Family and Household | Sociocultural Factors | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Government Agencies | Organizations | Political Factors | Program Evaluation | Programs | Organization and Administration | Family Planning Programs | Family Planning | Social Change | Management | Health Document Number: 308945 |
| 30. Peer Reviewed Title: What has happened to family planning since Cairo and what are the prospects for the future? Author: Sinding SW Source: Contraception. 2008 Oct;78(4 Suppl 1):S3-S6. Abstract: I believe that [the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in] Cairo effectively signaled the end of the family planning movement and replaced it with what we know today as the reproductive health and rights movement, sometimes expanded to also include sexual health and rights - what we now often refer to as sexual and reproductive health and rights, or SRHR. While family planning is included in all definitions of reproductive health and rights, the SRHR concept is much broader, encompassing not only other reproductive services such as emergency obstetrical care and sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis and treatment but also the fundamental right to be free from coercion and to have access to the highest possible level of reproductive health care. What effectively ended at Cairo was the strong linkage between family planning services and efforts to reduce high birth rates. I believe that without intending to do so, the architects of the Cairo consensus, as it is often called, transformed family planning from what had been seen as a global imperative to one among many desirable but nonessential public services. The crisis mentality that had sustained such high levels of support and so high a priority for family planning in the years before Cairo was no longer present at Cairo, and it has almost entirely disappeared in the years since Cairo. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | CRITIQUE | FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS | FUNDS | GOVERNMENT FINANCING | PRIVATELY SPONSORED PROGRAMS | FAMILY PLANNING POLICY | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | Family Planning | Financial Activities | Economic Factors | Programs | Organization and Administration | Population Policy | Social Policy | Policy | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Health Document Number: 328203 |
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