Prioritisation of health research

Abstract

We were delighted to read the Young Voices' Comment demanding health research goals (April 24, p 1416).1Kok M de Souza DK Young Voices demand health research goals.Lancet. 2010; 375: 1416-1417Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar The 13 Young Voices propose to set two goals for global health research, the first of which is to “regularly set national priorities for health research in each country”. We would like to state our concurrence with this goal and are happy to notice that young researchers in health worldwide consider this a priority action.With regard to the Young Voices' challenge for national governments and the international community “to take responsibility and set a date at which these health research goals should be achieved”, we would like to draw attention to the Global Strategy and Plan of Action (GSPA) on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property and to the WHO strategy on research for health.2WHOGlobal strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A61/A61_R21-en.pdfDate: May 24, 2008Google Scholar, 3WHOWHO's role and responsibilities in health research.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA63/A63_R21-en.pdfDate: May 21, 2010Google Scholar Key elements of the GSPA and the WHO strategy on research for health are aimed at prioritising health research and development needs, with a focus on the health needs of developing countries. The timeframe for implementation of the GSPA is 2008–15. Three progress indicators have been formulated with regard to research prioritisation.4WHOPublic health, innovation and intellectual property: global strategy and plan of action: proposed progress indicators.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A62/A62_16Add2-en.pdfDate: May 7, 2009Google Scholar Action is to be taken by WHO, national governments, and other relevant stakeholders.The Young Voices' challenge on health research prioritisation is one that is being taken up by the international community. We appreciate the concerns of young people as typified by the Young Voices in research for health and encourage them to continue to raise this important issue.© World Health Organization 2010. All rights reserved. The World Health Organization has granted the publisher permission for the reproduction of this article. We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. We were delighted to read the Young Voices' Comment demanding health research goals (April 24, p 1416).1Kok M de Souza DK Young Voices demand health research goals.Lancet. 2010; 375: 1416-1417Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar The 13 Young Voices propose to set two goals for global health research, the first of which is to “regularly set national priorities for health research in each country”. We would like to state our concurrence with this goal and are happy to notice that young researchers in health worldwide consider this a priority action. With regard to the Young Voices' challenge for national governments and the international community “to take responsibility and set a date at which these health research goals should be achieved”, we would like to draw attention to the Global Strategy and Plan of Action (GSPA) on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property and to the WHO strategy on research for health.2WHOGlobal strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A61/A61_R21-en.pdfDate: May 24, 2008Google Scholar, 3WHOWHO's role and responsibilities in health research.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA63/A63_R21-en.pdfDate: May 21, 2010Google Scholar Key elements of the GSPA and the WHO strategy on research for health are aimed at prioritising health research and development needs, with a focus on the health needs of developing countries. The timeframe for implementation of the GSPA is 2008–15. Three progress indicators have been formulated with regard to research prioritisation.4WHOPublic health, innovation and intellectual property: global strategy and plan of action: proposed progress indicators.http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A62/A62_16Add2-en.pdfDate: May 7, 2009Google Scholar Action is to be taken by WHO, national governments, and other relevant stakeholders. The Young Voices' challenge on health research prioritisation is one that is being taken up by the international community. We appreciate the concerns of young people as typified by the Young Voices in research for health and encourage them to continue to raise this important issue. © World Health Organization 2010. All rights reserved. The World Health Organization has granted the publisher permission for the reproduction of this article. We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.