March 2006

Global Health Policy Research Network Update
March 2006


In this issue:

Take Survey on Performance-Based Incentives
CGD has launched a Working Group on Performance-Based Incentives to examine the use of material incentives (financial or other, such as food) to motivate changes in behavior by health managers, workers or patients and household decision makers. We are interested in learning about both approaches that motivate health care providers and those that inspire better care-seeking behavior. If you know of such a program, please take a few minutes to complete our survey. You can also read more in a background paper (pdf, 731 KB) prepared for CGD by Rena Eichler. For more information, please contact Jessica Gottlieb (jgottlieb@cgdev.org).

New Working Group on Demand Forecasting
CGD has recently launched the Global Health Forecasting Working Group, which will examine the challenges of establishing credible, realistic forecasts for global health products (vaccines, ARVs, ACTs, diagnostics and others); and identify ways in which specific actions by public and private actors could improve forecasting data and methods, and reduce the negative consequences of demand uncertainties. The background paper, Forecasting for Global Health: New Money, New Products & New Markets (pdf, 1MB), prepared by Neelam Sekhri, poses the key questions that the Working Group will consider and provides an overview of the health product supply chain, demand forecasting initiatives, and methodologies; for more information, please contact Jessica Wolf (jwolf@cgdev.org).

Measuring Commitment to Health
Many funders of international development programs use indicators as proxies for the ability of countries to use aid well. To assist in these efforts, the new Global Health Indicators Working Group has undertaken an investigation of potential measures of a government's commitment to health with the goal of identifying and recommending a set of indicators for consideration by the Millennium Challenge Corporation during their near-future revisions of eligibility indicators, and other donors. For more information, please contact Jessica Wolf (jwolf@cgdev.org).

Evaluation Gap Working Group Consultations

To solicit feedback from targeted audiences, CGD is engaging in a number of international consultations on its Evaluation Gap initiative. In early February, CGD staff traveled to Mexico to meet with opinion leaders from Latin America, which resulted in an endorsement of a number of principles as a guide to action (pdf). On March 6, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine co-hosted a roundtable discussion with European researchers and policymakers about the Evaluation Gap. In April and May, CGD will convene two additional consultations with developing country leaders in New Delhi and Cape Town. Sign up for the Evaluation Gap E-Update for more information about new developments in this GHPRN working group

Update on Resource Tracking Working Group
The preliminary findings of the Resource Tracking Working Group were presented in an Executive Summary (pdf ) to the High Level Forum on the Health MDG's in November, and were featured in the December/January issue of Global HealthLink. The final report is in preparation.

Piloting an Advance Market Commitment

The G8 Finance Ministers recently announced their intention to launch a pilot advance market commitment in November of this year, and have charged the World Bank and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization with managing the detailed design process. Vaccines for six diseases are under consideration - HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, pneumococcus, rotavirus, and human papillomavirus – for approval by the next Finance Ministers' meeting in April. Updates will be posted on the Vaccines for Development Blog. Michael Kremer, Heidi Williams and Owen Barder further examine economic arguments in Advance Market Commitments: A Policy to Stimulate Investment in Vaccines for Neglected Diseases in The Economists' Voice.

If you have news or highlights that you would like for us to share in future mailings, please send them to Jessica Gottlieb (jgottlieb@cgdev.org).

Thanks and regards,

Ruth Levine
Director of Programs and Senior Fellow
Center for Global Development