Sarah Cuschieri1, Ala'a Alkerwi2, Mary Economou3, Jane Idavain4, Taavi Lai5, Tina Lesnik6, Caine Meyers7, Hanen Samouda8, Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir7, Natasa Terzic9, Lilian Tzivian10, Elena Pallari11. 1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, RM 425 Biomedical Building, Msida, Malta. sarah.cuschieri@um.edu.mt. 2. Ministry of Health, Directorate of Health, Service Epidemiology and Statistics, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. 3. Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus. 4. National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia. 5. Fourth View Consulting, Tallinn, Estonia. 6. National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 7. Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, Reykjavik, Iceland. 8. Precision Health Department, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg. 9. Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro. 10. Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia. 11. Health Innovation Network, Minerva House, 5 Montague Cl, London, SE1 9BB, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several countries across Europe are engaging in burden of disease (BoD) studies. This article aims to understand the experiences of eight small European states in relation to their research opportunities and challenges in conducting national BoD studies and in knowledge translation of research outputs to policy-making. METHODS: Countries participating in the study were those outlined by the WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative and members of the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA18218 European Burden of Disease Network. A set of key questions targeting the research landscape were distributed to these members. WHO's framework approach for research development capacities was applied to gain a comprehensive understanding of shortages in relation to national BoD studies in order to help strengthen health research capacities in the small states of Europe. RESULTS: Most small states lack the resources and expertise to conduct BoD studies, but nationally representative data are relatively accessible. Public health officials and researchers tend to have a close-knit relationship with the governing body and policy-makers. The major challenge faced by small states is in knowledge generation and transfer rather than knowledge translation. Nevertheless, some policy-makers fail to make adequate use of knowledge translation. CONCLUSIONS: Small states, if equipped with adequate resources, may have the capacity to conduct national BoD studies. This work can serve as a model for identifying current gaps and opportunities in each of the eight small European countries, as well as a guide for translating country BoD study results into health policy.
BACKGROUND: Several countries across Europe are engaging in burden of disease (BoD) studies. This article aims to understand the experiences of eight small European states in relation to their research opportunities and challenges in conducting national BoD studies and in knowledge translation of research outputs to policy-making. METHODS: Countries participating in the study were those outlined by the WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative and members of the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA18218 European Burden of Disease Network. A set of key questions targeting the research landscape were distributed to these members. WHO's framework approach for research development capacities was applied to gain a comprehensive understanding of shortages in relation to national BoD studies in order to help strengthen health research capacities in the small states of Europe. RESULTS: Most small states lack the resources and expertise to conduct BoD studies, but nationally representative data are relatively accessible. Public health officials and researchers tend to have a close-knit relationship with the governing body and policy-makers. The major challenge faced by small states is in knowledge generation and transfer rather than knowledge translation. Nevertheless, some policy-makers fail to make adequate use of knowledge translation. CONCLUSIONS: Small states, if equipped with adequate resources, may have the capacity to conduct national BoD studies. This work can serve as a model for identifying current gaps and opportunities in each of the eight small European countries, as well as a guide for translating country BoD study results into health policy.
Authors: Brecht Devleesschauwer; Arie H Havelaar; Charline Maertens de Noordhout; Juanita A Haagsma; Nicolas Praet; Pierre Dorny; Luc Duchateau; Paul R Torgerson; Herman Van Oyen; Niko Speybroeck Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2014-04-21 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Andrea Saglietto; Roberto Manfredi; Edoardo Elia; Fabrizio D'Ascenzo; Gaetano M DE Ferrari; Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai; Thomas Munzel Journal: Minerva Cardiol Angiol Date: 2021-03-11
Authors: Alice Morgan; Sally Hartmanis; Emmanuel Tsochatzis; Philip N Newsome; Stephen D Ryder; Rachel Elliott; Lefteris Floros; Richard Hall; Victoria Higgins; George Stanley; Sandrine Cure; Sharad Vasudevan; Lynne Pezzullo Journal: Eur J Health Econ Date: 2021-03-22
Authors: Sarah Cuschieri; Elena Pallari; Natasa Terzic; Ala'a Alkerwi; Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir; Inga Dora Sigfusdottir; Brecht Devleesschauwer Journal: Arch Public Health Date: 2021-05-11
Authors: Periklis Charalampous; Elena Pallari; Stefanos Tyrovolas; Nicos Middleton; Mary Economou; Brecht Devleesschauwer; Juanita A Haagsma Journal: Arch Public Health Date: 2021-07-29