Abstract
From a global perspective, large disparities persist between the focus of health research investments and the global burden of illness. Over the past four years, Canadian efforts to address these disparities have steadily increased. The objectives of this paper are to present these recent achievements and to highlight continuing challenges.
We summarize the activities of two complementary Canadian initiatives, both aimed at increasing Canada’s investment and involvement in global health research. They are the Global Health Research Initiative–a partnership involving four federal agencies; and the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research–a not-for-profit membership organization.
Several achievements include: increased investment in global health research; increased knowledge production and use through “South-Canada” partnerships; stronger advocacy and increased awareness; enhanced capacity development; and improved coordination and communication.
Based on these achievements, important current and future challenges are identified. They include: more coherent resource allocation; more focussed health research priorities; and the need to maintain and build momentum.
MeSH terms: Research priorities, developing countries, world health, Canada
Résumé
Dans une perspective planétaire, il subsiste de grandes disparités entre l’orientation des investissements dans la recherche en santé et le fardeau mondial des maladies. Au cours des quatre dernières années, les efforts du Canada pour résoudre ces disparités ont augmenté de façon soutenue. Nous voulons ici présenter ces réalisations récentes et mettre en évidence les défis qu’il reste à relever.
Nous résumons les activités de deux initiatives canadiennes complémentaires, toutes deux visant à accroître les investissements et la participation du Canada dans la recherche en santé mondiale. Il s’agit de l’Initiative de recherche en santé mondiale (un partenariat entre quatre organismes fédéraux) et de la Coalition canadienne pour la recherche en santé mondiale (un organisme sans but lucratif).
Elles ont donné lieu à plusieurs réalisations: des investissements accrus dans la recherche en santé mondiale; la production et l’utilisation accrues des savoirs par le biais de partenariats entre le Canada et les pays du Sud; une action sociale et une conscientisation renforcées; un meilleur renforcement des capacités; et une amélioration de la coordination et des communications.
D’importants défis présents et à venir ont été cernés à partir de ces réalisations: l’affectation plus cohérente des ressources; une plus grande concentration des priorités de la recherche en santé; et la nécessité de maintenir et d’accroître l’élan qui a été pris.
Footnotes
Sources of Funding: The Global Health Research Initiative [Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), International Development Centre (IDRC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Health Canada] provided funding support for activities of the Canadian Coalition for global Health Research reported in this article.
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