Abstract
BackgroundThe global health system has faced significant expansion over the past few decades, including continued increase in both the number and diversity of actors operating within it. However, without a stronger understanding of what the global health system encompasses, coordination of actors and resources to address today’s global health challenges will not be possible.MethodsThis study presents a conceptually sound and operational definition of the global health system. Importantly, this definition can be applied in practice to facilitate analysis of the system. The study tested the analytical helpfulness of this definition through a network mapping exercise, whereby the interconnected nature of websites representing actors in the global health system was studied.ResultsUsing a systematic methodology and related search functions, 203 global health actors were identified, representing the largest and most transparent list of its kind to date. Identified global health actors were characterized and the structure of their social network revealed intriguing patterns in relationships among actors.ConclusionsThese findings provide a foundation for future inquiries into the global health system’s structure and dynamics that are critical if we are to better coordinate system activities and ensure successful response to our most pressing global health challenges.
Highlights
The global health system has faced significant expansion over the past few decades, including continued increase in both the number and diversity of actors operating within it
The interactions between global health actors are influenced by the actors themselves, the internal arrangements of the system, and external forces, such as actors and arrangements from other important global policy domains
A global health actor is defined as an individual or organization that operates transnationally with a primary intent to improve health
Summary
The global health system has faced significant expansion over the past few decades, including continued increase in both the number and diversity of actors operating within it. The global health system has faced significant expansion over the past few decades, including continued increase in both the number and diversity of actors within it [1,2,3,4,5]. Coscia & Rios (2012) developed and validated a framework that used Internet content, such as online newspapers and blogs, to reveal areas of operation of Mexican drug trafficking organizations [9]. These studies demonstrated the potential to use online networks for global health system analysis. Bowen et al (2014) applied social network analysis to identify key organizations engaged in developing health-related climate change adaptation activities in Cambodia [10]
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