The Elders [to 5 December 2015]
http://theelders.org/news-media

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News Andrew Whitley 3 December 2015
Palestinian rights are human rights
The Elders’ Policy and Advocacy Director Andrew Whitley considers the link between International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November and the Human Rights Day on 10 December and explains why the need to uphold Palestinian rights should matter to us all.

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News 2 December 2015
COP21: hopes are high that Paris will be a turning point for climate change
As the COP21 climate summit approaches its final week, Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem Brundtland spoke to the BBC World Service about their hopes and fears for Paris.

Gavi [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

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New support for measles vaccine to help save more than one million lives
03 December 2015
Gavi Board approves ambitious package to tackle highly-infectious disease

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Gavi Board thanks Dagfinn Høybråten for inspirational leadership
03 December 2015
Gavi Board Chair steps down after five years of unparalleled achievement.

Global Fund [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/

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New Toolkit for Differentiated Care in HIV and TB Programs
04 December 2015
HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Global Fund presented a toolkit to help partners implement differentiated care approaches in HIV and TB investments with the aim of maximizing cost efficiency and better serving the different needs of various communities most affected by diseases.

Unveiled at the International Conference on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in Africa (ICASA), the toolkit is intended to support country program managers and managers of health facilities by gathering examples of good practices at health facilities that seek to increase the quality and efficiency of service delivery.

The toolkit includes a section on how to best use data to emphasize the importance of supporting differentiated care with accurate data collection and analysis for planning and modifying approaches. It also provides information and practical steps on how health centres can develop differentiated approaches from testing and counselling to treatment and care to drug delivery.

The tool kit was based on innovative work from health facilities in Senegal, Uganda, Kenya and elsewhere, and also based on models of care pioneered by Médecins Sans Frontières and The AIDS Support Organisation in Uganda. It was developed in collaboration with a wide range of in-country and global partners, including Ministry of Health officials, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, UNAIDS, the StopTB Partnership, and the International AIDS Society…

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Global Fund Embraces Fast-Track Approach on AIDS
30 November 2015
GENEVA – To mark World AIDS Day on 1 December, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria declared its strong support for Fast-Track, the smart approach by UNAIDS to end the epidemic by 2030.

In a new report , “On the Fast-Track to end AIDS by 2030: Focus on location and population,” UNAIDS identifies all the most critical factors: the need to front-load investments; to focus on the locations, populations and programs that deliver the greatest impact; to catalyze innovation; engage local leadership; to creates new partnerships, to stand firm on human rights, and to deliver results that leave no one behind.

UNAIDS and the Global Fund work together closely, and are achieving impressive results in partnership. Antiretroviral therapy has grown from 4 percent coverage in 2005 in countries where the Global Fund invests to 21 percent in 2010 and 40 percent in 2014…

InterAction [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.interaction.org/media-center/press-releases

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InterAction Joins IATI
Nov 30, 2015
After many years of advocating for greater transparency, InterAction has become a member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI).
Along with UK NGO alliance Bond, InterAction serves as one of the co-chairs of the IATI CSO Working Group and currently publishes data to IATI, as do several of its members…

InterAction Vice President Laura Frigenti Appointed to lead new Italian Agency for Development Cooperation
Nov 30, 2015
WASHINGTON – On Nov. 23, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced the selection of Laura Frigenti, InterAction’s vice president for global development and evaluation, as the director of the new Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The new agency was created by legislation passed by the Italian parliament in August 2014. Frigenti was selected after a global, public search by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.globalhumanitarianassistance.org/

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Trends in Humanitarian Financing: Middle East and North Africa region
November 2015
Report Synopsis
With a third of the world’s refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) now living in the MENA region, the question of financing the response is critical. Contributions from donor governments in the region, particularly from Gulf donors, are rising significantly. However, whilst the volume of international humanitarian assistance flowing to region has risen over recent years, the shortfall of funding to the appeals has also grown.
This briefing paper expands on data presented in the Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) Report 2015. It has been produced as background information for a presentation and panel discussion on humanitarian financing at the 6th Annual Conference for effective partnership and information sharing for better humanitarian action in Kuwait.
:: Briefing paper in English

Center for Global Development [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.cgdev.org/page/press-center
Selected Press Releases, Blog Posts

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Two World Bank Surveys Provide (Imperfect) Evidence that De-risking Might Be Hurting Developing Countries
12/2/15
Matt Collin
The World Bank recently released the results of two separate surveys aimed at gauging the extent to which de-risking is a problem. The headline result is that banks around the world are closing accounts of money transfer organizations (MTOs) and are severing links with banks in other countries. These careful, timely reports provide crucial evidence that de-risking is a very real phenomenon and that we should be worried about it.

A Social Impact Bond without the Impact? Critics Question Success of Early Childhood Development Program
12/2/15
William Savedoff and Janeen Madan
The most essential feature of a social impact bond (SIB) is measuring impact. But what happens if the impact metric is questioned or unclear? A recent dispute over measuring the impact of a SIB for early childhood development in Utah yields two important practical lessons for this innovative financing tool. First, SIB implementers should be careful not to exaggerate the precision of their success indicators. Second, they need to be clear to everyone about which objectives they are pursuing.

UNAIDS and African AIDS Programs Agree That Effective HIV Prevention Depends on Location, Location, Location
12/1/15
Mead Over
As it does every year at this time, UNAIDS has released its World AIDS Day report. With five out of seven HIV infected people living in Africa, it is appropriate that the report is released here at the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

World AIDS Day DREAMS Made Real: How Cash Transfers for Girls Can Work
12/1/15
Amanda Glassman

ODI [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.odi.org/media

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The triple dividend of resilience
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Thomas Tanner, Swenja Surminski, Emily Wilkinson, Robert Reid, Jun Rentschler, Sumati Rajput
Realising development goals through the multiple benefits of disaster risk management.

Climate information and services in BRACED countries
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Emily Wilkinson, Mirianna Budimir, Atiq Kainan Ahmed and Gilbert Ouma
Access to sound climate information is vital for anticipating climate-related risks and adapting to climate change. As such, it is recognised as an essential input to BRACED projects to guide programming.

Climate finance: how are dedicated climate funds progressing towards impact?
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Marigold Norman, Smita Nakhooda, Nella Canales Trujillo and Sam Barnard
A summary of results reported in 2015 by 14 funds which have collectively approved more than $8.7 billion for climate change projects in developing countries.

Grants, incubators and innovation: a snapshot of social enterprise activity in Pakistan
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Emily Darko, Bushra Ali
This paper identifies some key issues and opportunities for the development of social enterprises in Pakistan.

Climate extremes and resilient poverty reduction
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Emily Wilkinson, Thomas Tanner, Catherine Simonet, Florence Pichon, Roop Kamal Singh, Erin Coughlan de Perez, Janot Mendler de Suarez, Blane Harvey, Amy Kirbyshire, Robert Muir-Wood, Katie Peters
This report explores the relationship between climate change and poverty, focusing on climate extreme disasters.

Multilateral development banks: a short guide
Working and discussion papers | December 2015 |
Raphaelle Faure, Annalisa Prizzon and Andrew Rogerson
A short guide comparing some of the most pertinent global, regional and sub-regional multilateral development banks.

Food and livelihoods in a changing climate
Working and discussion papers | December 2015 |
Marigold Norman
This paper explores the role of multilateral climate funds in supporting mitigation, adaptation and promoting climate resilient development in the agriculture sector.

A development agenda for China’s G20 presidency
Briefing papers | December 2015 |
Romilly Greenhill, Mark Miller, Phyllis Papadavid, David Watson, Andrew Scott, Elizabeth Stuart
This briefing proposes a potential development agenda for China’s G20 Presidency.

10 things to know about climate finance in 2015
Research reports and studies | December 2015 |
Smita Nakhooda, Charlene Watson, Sam Barnard and Liane Schalatek
These infographics break down the numbers on climate finance, analysing data from the world’s only comprehensive public climate finance commitment tracker – Climate Funds Update.

Multilateral development banks in the 21st century: three perspectives on China and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Working and discussion papers | December 2015 |
Chris Humphrey, Stephany Griffith-Jones, Jiajun Xu, Richard Carey and Annalisa Prizzon
This paper discusses whether China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a game changer in the development finance architecture.

Mainstreaming climate compatible development
Books or book chapters | December 2015 |
Simon Maxwell, Ari Huhtala, Mairi Dupar
This book brings together lessons Climate and Development Knowledge Network’s (CDKN) first five years of work and invites you to share your experience.

Evaluation of the NIMD programme, 2011 – 2014: inception study
Research reports and studies | November 2015 |
Alina Rocha Menocal, Clare Cummings and Leni Wild
Assessing the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy’s achievements across three areas of study: multiparty dialogue, legitimate political parties & political-civil society interaction.

Recommendations to bridge the funding gap for climate financing in Ethiopia
Research reports and studies | November 2015 |
Zewdu Eshetu and Neil Bird
Key recommendations to improve the effectiveness of climate finance delivery in Ethiopia.

Topic Guide: anticipating and responding to shocks
Research reports and studies | November 2015 |
Simon Levine and Kay Sharp
This Topic Guide offers perspectives on how livelihoods experts can think, position themselves and act in fast-changing high-stakes humanitarian environments.

Assessing human vulnerability to climate-related extreme events: from theory to practice
Books or book chapters | November 2015 |
James Ryan Hogarth, Campbell, D., Wandel, J
Chapter four presents behavioural and structural perspectives on vulnerability, arguing that an evolutionary perspective can offer important insights, particularily in regard to human systems’ adaptive capacity.

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.hiltonfoundation.org/news

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Giving Young Children Affected by HIV and AIDS a Strong Start
By Lisa Bohmer, December 1, 2015
On this World AIDS Day we salute all of our grantee partners and their efforts to support young children and families living in communities impacted by HIV and AIDS. In particular, we want to appreciate all of the visionary leaders of community-based organizations that are part of this effort…

… The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s strategic initiative to improve early childhood development (ECD) outcomes for young children affected by HIV and AIDS, places emphasis on strengthening community-based organizations (CBOs) like NACC to enable them to better deliver early childhood development services to the communities they serve. The Foundation recognizes that CBOs are critical actors, given that they understand local needs and perspectives, and are well placed to foster meaningful community engagement and ownership…

MacArthur Foundation [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.macfound.org/

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Commentary
“Philanthropy Must Move Fast to Support Efforts to Curb Climate Change”
Julia M. Stasch
Published November 30, 2015
…We need a well-designed national market-based policy that puts either a price or a limit on climate pollution and gives investors, inventors, and entrepreneurs further incentives to accelerate clean-energy technology innovation. With the United States, China, and India all showing greater ambition, other nations will do the same. This virtuous cycle has already begun, and it needs to accelerate because we’re in the race of our lives.

The MacArthur Foundation and the Robertson Foundation are committed to investing in ideas and policies that drive toward this goal. And we are supporting the organizations that recognize that we need everyone at the table to solve this existential challenge, which rises above partisan politics. No one group, party, or nation can do this alone…

Open Society Foundation [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/termsearch/8175/listing?f[0]=type%3Anews

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Open Society Foundations Announce New Investments in Innovative Drug Policy
December 1, 2015 News
The grants will go to seven U.S. communities working to promote alternatives to jail for drug use and addiction.

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Russia Cracks Down on Open Society
November 30, 2015 News
We are dismayed by the decision of Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office to classify the Open Society Foundations as an “undesirable” organization.

Pew Charitable Trusts [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases

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Statement
Pew Praises Manitoba’s Pledge to Support Indigenous Land-Use Planning in Boreal
Commitment entrusts First Nations communities to develop conservation and sustainable development plans
November 24, 2015
Background
The boreal forest stretches across 1.2 billion intact acres in Canada, from Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador. The region covers 140 million acres in Manitoba alone, most of which (approximately 115 million acres) remains free from industrial development.

The boreal represents 25 percent of the world’s remaining intact forest and is one of the last continental-scale ecosystems still largely undeveloped. It harbors the planet’s largest expanse of wetlands, lakes, and rivers, and stores twice as much carbon per acre than tropical rain forests.

In its eight-year strategic plan for environmental stewardship and economic prosperity called TomorrowNow, which was initially released in 2012, the government of Manitoba pledged to develop a boreal plan that ensured the protection and sustainable development of the region…

Wellcome Trust [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2015/index.htm

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New appointments at the UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council
Baroness Helene Hayman has been appointed as Chair of the UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council. She will be joined by Dr Eric Meslin, who takes on the role of Vice Chair.
4 December 2015

… UK Biobank is a long-term project to build a resource for research including samples and information from about 500,000 people living in the UK. The project aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of health.

The Ethics and Governance Council, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, was established in 2004 as an independent body to advise UK Biobank on rigorous standards of ethical, legal and social consideration, as set out in the project’s Ethics and Governance Framework.

The Council also reports publicly on the conformance of UK Biobank’s activities with the Framework and with the interests of participants and the public…

American Journal of Infection Control
December 2015 Volume 43, Issue 12, p1269-1382, e83-e106
http://www.ajicjournal.org/current

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Personal protective equipment for the Ebola virus disease: A comparison of 2 training programs
Enrique Casalino, Eugenio Astocondor, Juan Carlos Sanchez, David Enrique Díaz-Santana, Carlos del Aguila, Juan Pablo Carrillo
p1281–1287
Published online: August 12 2015

BMC Health Services Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservres/content
(Accessed 5 December 2015)

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Research article
Strengthening health system governance using health facility service charters: a mixed methods assessment of community experiences and perceptions in a district in Kenya
Martin Atela, Pauline Bakibinga, Remare Ettarh, Catherine Kyobutungi, Simon Cohn
BMC Health Services Research 2015, 15:539 (4 December 2015)

BMC Medical Ethics
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedethics/content
(Accessed 5 December 2015)

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Research article
Volunteer experiences and perceptions of the informed consent process: Lessons from two HIV clinical trials in Uganda
Agnes Ssali, Fiona Poland, Janet Seeley
BMC Medical Ethics 2015, 1
Abstract
Background
Informed consent as stipulated in regulatory human research guidelines requires that a volunteer is well-informed about what will happen to them in a trial. However researchers are faced with a challenge of how to ensure that a volunteer agreeing to take part in a clinical trial is truly informed. We conducted a qualitative study among volunteers taking part in two HIV clinical trials in Uganda to find out how they defined informed consent and their perceptions of the trial procedures, study information and interactions with the research team.
Methods
Between January and December 2012, 23 volunteers who had been in the two trials for over 6 months, consented to be interviewed about their experience in the trial three times over a period of nine months. They also took part in focus group discussions. Themes informed by study research questions and emerging findings were used for content analysis.
Results
Volunteers defined the informed consent process in terms of their individual welfare. Only two of the volunteers reported having referred during the trial to the participant information sheets given at the start of the trial. Volunteers remembered the information they had been given at the start of the trial on procedures that involved drawing blood and urine samples but not information about study design and randomisation. Volunteers said that they had understood the purpose of the trial. They said that signing a consent form showed that they had consented to take part in the trial but they also described it as being done to protect the researcher in case a volunteer later experienced side effects.
Conclusion
Volunteers pay more attention during the consent process to procedures requiring biological tests than to study design issues. Trust built between volunteers and the research team could enhance the successful conduct of clinical trials by allowing for informal discussions to identify and review volunteers’ perceptions. These results point to the need for researchers to view informed consent as a process rather than an event.

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Debate
Is it ethical to prevent secondary use of stored biological samples and data derived from consenting research participants? The case of Malawi
Randy Mungwira, Wongani Nyangulu, James Misiri, Steven Iphani, Ruby Ng’ong’ola, Chawanangwa Chirambo, Francis Masiye, Joseph Mfutso-Bengo
BMC Medical Ethics 2015, 16:83 (2 December 2015)

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Research article
Readiness of ethics review systems for a changing public health landscape in the WHO African Region
Marion Motari, Martin Ota, Joses Kirigia BMC Medical Ethics 2015, 16:82 (2 December 2015)
Abstract
Background
The increasing emphasis on research, development and innovation for health in providing solutions to the high burden of diseases in the African Region has warranted a proliferation of studies including clinical trials. This changing public health landscape requires that countries develop adequate ethics review capacities to protect and minimize risks to study participants. Therefore, this study assessed the readiness of national ethics committees to respond to challenges posed by a globalized biomedical research system which is constantly challenged by new public health threats, rapid scientific and technological advancements affecting biomedical research and development, delivery and manufacture of vaccines and therapies, and health technology transfer.
Methods
This is a descriptive study, which used a questionnaire structured to elicit information on the existence of relevant national legal frameworks, mechanisms for ethical review; as well as capacity requirements for national ethics committees. The questionnaire was available in English and French and was sent to 41 of the then 46 Member States of the WHO African Region, excluding the five Lusophone Member States. Information was gathered from senior officials in ministries of health, who by virtue of their offices were considered to have expert knowledge of research ethics review systems in their respective countries.
Results
Thirty three of the 41 countries (80.5 %) responded. Thirty (90.9 %) of respondent countries had a national ethics review committee (NEC); 79 % of which were established by law. Twenty-five (83.3 %) NECs had secretarial and administrative support. Over 50 % of countries with NECs indicated a need for capacity strengthening through periodic training on international guidelines for health research (including clinical trials) ethics; and allocation of funds for administrative and secretariat support.
Conclusions
Despite the existing training initiatives, the Region still experiences a shortage of professionals trained in health research ethics/ethicists. Committees continue to face various capacity needs especially for evaluating clinical trials, for monitoring ongoing research, database management and for accrediting institutional ethics committees. Given the growing number of clinical trials involving human participants in the African Region, there is urgent need for supporting countries without NECs to establish them; capacity strengthening where they exist; and creation of a regional network and joint ethical review mechanisms, whose membership would be open to all NECs of the Region.

BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmed/content
(Accessed 5 December 2015)

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Research article
Benchmarking health system performance across regions in Uganda: a systematic analysis of levels and trends in key maternal and child health interventions, 1990–2011
D. Roberts, Marie Ng, Gloria Ikilezi, Anne Gasasira, Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, Nancy Fullman, Talemwa Nalugwa, Moses Kamya, Emmanuela Gakidou
BMC Medicine 2015, 13:285 (3 December 2015)

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirth/content
(Accessed 5 December 2015)

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Research article
Towards a midwifery profession in Bangladesh – a systems approach for a complex world
Malin Bogren, Helena Wigert, Lars Edgren, Marie Berg
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2015, 15:325 (3 December 2015)

BMC Public Health
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/content
(Accessed 5 December 2015)

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Research article
The burden of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: a four-country cross sectional study
David Guwatudde, Joan Nankya-Mutyoba, Robert Kalyesubula, Carien Laurence, Clement Adebamowo, IkeOluwapo Ajayi, Francis Bajunirwe, Marina Njelekela, Faraja Chiwanga, Todd Reid, Jimmy Volmink, Hans-Olov Adami, Michelle Holmes, Shona Dalal
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:1211 (5 December 2015)

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Research article
A cost-benefit analysis of a proposed overseas refugee latent tuberculosis infection screening and treatment program
La’Marcus Wingate, Margaret Coleman, Christopher de la Motte Hurst, Marie Semple, Weigong Zhou, Martin Cetron, John Painter
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:1201 (1 December 2015)

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Research article
Charting the evolution of approaches employed by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) to address inequities in access to immunization: a systematic qualitative review of GAVI policies, strategies and resource allocation mechanisms through an equity lens (1999–2014)
Gian Gandhi
BMC Public Health 2015, 15:1198 (30 November 2015)
Abstract
Background
GAVI’s focus on reducing inequities in access to vaccines, immunization, and GAVI funds, − both between and within countries – has changed over time. This paper charts that evolution.
Methods
A systematic qualitative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Google Scholar and direct review of available GAVI Board papers, policies, and program guidelines. Documents were included if they described or evaluated GAVI policies, strategies, or programs and discussed equity of access to vaccines, utilization of immunization services, or GAVI funds in countries currently or previously eligible for GAVI support. Findings were grouped thematically, categorized into time periods covering GAVI’s phases of operations, and assessed depending on whether the approaches mediated equity of opportunity or equity of outcomes between or within countries.
Results
Serches yielded 2816 documents for assessment. After pre-screening and removal of duplicates, 552 documents underwent detailed evaluation and pertinent information was extracted from 188 unique documents. As a global funding mechanism, GAVI responded rationally to a semi-fixed funding constraint by focusing on between-country equity in allocation of resources. GAVI’s predominant focus and documented successes have been in addressing between-country inequities in access to vaccines comparing lower income (GAVI-eligible) countries with higher income (ineligible) countries. GAVI has had mixed results at addressing between-country inequities in utilization of immunization services, and has only more recently put greater emphasis and resources towards addressing within-country inequities in utilization to immunization services. Over time, GAVI has progressively added vaccines to its portfolio. This expansion should have addressed inter-country, inter-regional, inter-generational and gender inequities in disease burden, however, evidence is scant with respect to final outcomes.
Conclusion
In its next phase of operations, the Alliance can continue to demonstrate its strength as a highly effective multi-partner enterprise, capable of learning and innovating in a world that has changed much since its inception. By building on its successes, developing more coherent and consistent approaches to address inequities between and within countries and by monitoring progress and outcomes, GAVI is well-positioned to bring the benefits of vaccination to previously unreached and underserved communities towards provision of universal health coverage.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume 93, Number 12, December 2015, 817-892
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/93/12/en/

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EDITORIALS
Learning from Ebola: readiness for outbreaks and emergencies
Margaret Chan
doi: 10.2471/BLT.15.165720
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Research
Improving outcomes for caregivers through treatment of young people affected by war: a randomized controlled trial in Sierra Leone
Ryan K McBain, Carmel Salhi, Katrina Hann, Jim Kellie, Alimamy Kamara, Joshua A Salomon, Jane J Kim & Theresa S Betancourt
Abstract
Objective
To measure the benefits to household caregivers of a psychotherapeutic intervention for adolescents and young adults living in a war-affected area.
Methods
Between July 2012 and July 2013, we carried out a randomized controlled trial of the Youth Readiness Intervention – a cognitive–behavioural intervention for war-affected young people who exhibit depressive and anxiety symptoms and conduct problems – in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Overall, 436 participants aged 15–24 years were randomized to receive the intervention (n = 222) or care as usual (n = 214). Household caregivers for the participants in the intervention arm (n = 101) or control arm (n = 103) were interviewed during a baseline survey and again, if available (n = 155), 12 weeks later in a follow-up survey. We used a burden assessment scale to evaluate the burden of care placed on caregivers in terms of emotional distress and functional impairment. The caregivers’ mental health – i.e. internalizing, externalizing and prosocial behaviour – was evaluated using the Oxford Measure of Psychosocial Adjustment. Difference-in-differences multiple regression analyses were used, within an intention-to-treat framework, to estimate the treatment effects.
Findings
Compared with the caregivers of participants of the control group, the caregivers of participants of the intervention group reported greater reductions in emotional distress (scale difference: 0.252; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.026–0.4782) and greater improvements in prosocial behaviour (scale difference: 0.249; 95% CI: 0.012–0.486) between the two surveys.
Conclusion
A psychotherapeutic intervention for war-affected young people can improve the mental health of their caregivers.

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PERSPECTIVES
Including migrant populations in health impact assessments
Lara Miramontes, Kevin Pottie, Maria Benkhalti Jandu, Vivian Welch, Keith Miller, Megan James & Janet Hatcher Roberts
doi: 10.2471/BLT.14.142315
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2015;93:888-889. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.14.142315

In 2010, there were 214 million international migrants worldwide, a number that is projected to double by 2050.1 Migrants’ motives for leaving their countries of origin include employment and education opportunities, escape from conflict and discrimination and the desire to raise families in economically and politically stable environments.
New migrants are often healthier than the general population on arrival, but their health may deteriorate after settlement,2 due to unfamiliar social conditions, infectious diseases, or restricted access to health services. Cultural and linguistic barriers may contribute to poor delivery of health services. The 61st World Health Assembly called on all Member States to “promote migrant-sensitive health policies”.3 Some subgroups – especially refugees – have a greater burden of infectious diseases and mental disorders than the indigenous population.4 Guidelines have been developed to assist health workers in the clinical management of migrating populations.4 However, there are no explicit decision-support tools for policy-makers to ensure health equity for migrants. Here we discuss how health impact assessment can account for the needs of migrant populations…

Health Research Policy and Systems
http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content
[Accessed 5 December 2015]

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Research
Incorporating research evidence into decision-making processes: researcher and decision-maker perceptions from five low- and middle-income countries
Zubin Shroff, Bhupinder Aulakh, Lucy Gilson, Irene Agyepong, Fadi El-Jardali, Abdul Ghaffar Health Research Policy and Systems 2015, 13:70 (30 November 2015)
Abstract
Background
The ‘Sponsoring National Processes for Evidence-Informed Policy Making in the Health Sector of Developing Countries’ program was launched by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, in July 2008. The program aimed to catalyse the use of evidence generated through health policy and systems research in policymaking processes through (1) promoting researchers and policy advocates to present their evidence in a manner that is easy for policymakers to understand and use, (2) creating mechanisms to spur the demand for and application of research evidence in policymaking, and (3) increased interaction between researchers, policy advocates, and policymakers. Grants ran for three years and five projects were supported in Argentina, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia. This paper seeks to understand why projects in some settings were perceived by the key stakeholders involved to have made progress towards their goals, whereas others were perceived to have not done so well. Additionally, by comparing experiences across five countries, we seek to illustrate general learnings to inform future evidence-to-policy efforts in low- and middle-income countries.
Methods
We adopted the theory of knowledge translation developed by Jacobson et al. (J Health Serv Res Policy 8(2):94–9, 2003) as a framing device to reflect on project experiences across the five cases. Using data from the projects’ external evaluation reports, which included information from semi-structured interviews and quantitative evaluation surveys of those involved in projects, and supplemented by information from the projects’ individual technical reports, we applied the theoretical framework with a partially grounded approach to analyse each of the cases and make comparisons.
Results and conclusion
There was wide variation across projects in the type of activities carried out as well as their intensity. Based on our findings, we can conclude that projects perceived as having made progress towards their goals were characterized by the coming together of a number of domains identified by the theory. The domains of Jacobson’s theoretical framework, initially developed for high-income settings, are of relevance to the low- and middle-income country context, but may need modification to be fully applicable to these settings. Specifically, the relative fragility of institutions and the concomitantly more significant role of individual leaders point to the need to look at leadership as an additional domain influencing the evidence-to-policy process.