An overview on priorities in health research was a part of a course for research methodology delivered in King Saud University College of Medicine August 2015

1. Health Research
Priorities
Yasser S. Amer
MBBCh, M Ped, M HCI, CPHQ

2. Why HRPs are important?
HR directed vs.
funded vs. free?
Journals commitment to HRP?
What are HRPs? in KSA?
What is 10/90 Gap?

3. Clinician OR Researcher?

4. Definitions (WHO)
Research
The development of knowledge with the
aim of understanding health challenges
and mounting an improved response to
them. The definition covers the 5 generic
areas of research activity

5. 5 generic areas of research
1) Measuring the problem
2) Understanding its cause(s)
3) Elaborating solutions
4) Translating the solutions or evidence
into policy, practice and products
5) Evaluating the effectiveness of
solutions

6. Research agenda
A list of research topics or questions that
will de addressed in the future by a
particular institution or country
Research priorities
A list of research topics or questions that
will de addressed with priority, usually
following from a process of prioritization
pf R & D gaps.

7. Health research areas
A broad term for possible research areas in
health including diseases and determinants of
health or cross-cutting health research areas
Gaps in Research & Development (R
& D)
Missing knowledge in one of the generic areas
of research as defined by the WHO strategy on
research for health

8. The 10/90 Gap
(Global Forum for Health Research)
Less than 10% of worldwide resources
spent every year on health research are
used for health problems in Developing
Countries, where over 90% of all
preventable deaths worldwide occurred

9. The 5 Steps in Priority Setting
1. What is the burden of the disease?
2. Why does the burden persist?
3. How cost-effective are present
interventions?
4. How cost-effective could future
interventions be?
5. What is the present resource flow for that
disease/ risk?

10. A framework for research for health
priorities (WHO)
Research
on
neglected
priority
needs
Translation and delivery of
the solution

11. 5 Goals from WHO Strategy on Research
for Health
#1 ORGANIZATION
Strengthen the research culture across WHO
Support Code of good Research practice
WHO a more effective partner in research

12. 5 Goals from WHO Strategy on Research
for Health (cont’d)
#2 PRIORITIES
Reinforce research that addressed priority
health needs (at national, regional, and global
levels and within WHO)
Convene high-level Consultation of funders
Better alignment of funders around priority
areas

13. 5 Goals from WHO Strategy on Research
for Health (cont’d)
#3 CAPACITY
Support the development of robust national
health research systems
Advocate for strong NHRS
All countries have national health research
strategies

14. 5 Goals from WHO Strategy on Research
for Health (cont’d)
#4 STANDARDS
Promote good research practice (norms and
standards)
Which standards for research?
Better awareness, acceptance and compliance

15. 5 Goals from WHO Strategy on Research
for Health (cont’d)
#5 TRANSLATION
Strengthen links between the policy, practice,
and products of research
Identify best translational activities
Research informs policy & policy informs
research

16. Initial list of Medical & Health Priority Research
Areas selected for strategic intervention (KSA):
1) Non-Communicable Diseases
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Diabetes
• Allergy and asthma
• Cancer
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (Alzheimer)
2) Communicable Diseases
3) Genetics
4) Cell Therapy
5) Disability
6) Environmental Health

17. Top 5 (of 1287) Journals publishing Saudi
Medical and Health Research
1. Saudi medical journal
2. Annals of Saudi medicine
3. Saudi journal of kidney diseases and
transplantation (Saudi Center for Organ
Transplantation, Saudi Arabia)
4. Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La
revue de santé de la Mediterranean oriental =
‫المتوسط‬ ‫لشرق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫المجلة‬
5. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology

18. References
•Viergever RF. Health research prioritization at
World Health Organization (WHO)
•Strategic priorities for advanced medical and
health research. King Abdulaziz City for Science
and Technology, Ministry of Economy and
planning, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
•Hyder AA. Priority setting for health research.
HBSPH, JHU, USA

19. Thank you for listening!