This document discusses the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. It provides an overview of the goals and progress made, and challenges that remain in achieving the health-related MDGs by 2015. It also outlines ways that the Cochrane Collaboration can help, such as increasing high-quality reviews of interventions and engaging with policymakers, to provide evidence to improve health outcomes and meet the MDG targets.

1. The MDG for HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases: can rhetoric become reality? Jimmy Volmink Stellenbosch University and South African Cochrane Centre

4. HIV/AIDS prevalence (%)

5. Malaria cases per 100,000 population

6. TB prevalence, all forms per 100 000 population Source: World Health Organization Stop TB Department 2005

7. Life expectancy by country income

11. Taking 1990 as the baseline are we on track to meet the 2015 targets?

12. HIV/AIDS

13. Tuberculosis

14. Malaria

15. Challenges in achieving the health MDGs

18. Source: World Health Report 2006, Working together for health

22. How can the Cochrane Collaboration help? Four recommendations

23. 1. Increase the number of high quality systematic reviews of the effects of interventions and policies that address the health MDGs

25. Prioritise reviews relevant to the MDGs “ How might this Cochrane Review contribute to achieving the United Nations Millennium Goals in infectious diseases, maternal mortality or child health?”

26. The HIV/AIDS Mentoring Programme Geoffrey Setswe Sarah Mahlungulu Marianne Visser Fazleh Mahomed James Irlam Haly Holmes

27. Reviews for Africa Programme

28. Improve access to trials

29. 2. Prioritise policy relevant reviews and promote uptake of evidence Health service delivery issues e.g. health care financing and human resources may of higher priority than biomedical interventions Creating and sustaining pro-poor health systems capable of implementing existing and new knowledge may be most urgent

30. Risk and Treatment Disparities in Tuberculosis, Kenya 2003 Adapted from Hanson et al 2003

32. Engagement with policy makers

35. 3. Advocate for more and better evidence

38. 4. Hold our governments accountable for honouring their commitments UN Millennium Declaration

40. Acknowlegements