A new publication from WHO with high relevance for HIFA. Overview, extract and a comment from me below.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240118867
OVERVIEW
This publication presents the first Global research agenda on knowledge translation and evidence‑informed policy‑making (KT/EIP) developed by the World Health Organization to strengthen the use of evidence in health decision‑making. Although public health research has expanded significantly, evidence is not yet used consistently to inform policies and practice. KT and EIP help bridge this gap by making research accessible, relevant and actionable.
Developed through a global, inclusive process involving experts from 38 countries, the agenda identifies 19 priority research areas focused on what works in KT/EIP, what enables or hinders evidence use, and how methods and tools can be improved. It serves as a practical guide for researchers, policy‑makers, funders and partners to align efforts and translate evidence into effective, equitable health policies.
SELECTED EXTRACT
Global evidence ecosystem: A system reflecting the formal and informal linkages and interactions between different actors (and their capacities and resources) involved in the production, translation and use of evidence. The evidence ecosystem can be thought of as the overlap between two distinct systems; namely, the research system and the evidence support system. The former is focused on all types of research, including biomedical and theoretical research. The latter is focused on all types of activities harnessing the evidence that results from this research activity to support decision-making by government policymakers, organizational leaders, professionals and citizens. Throughout this report, the term evidence ecosystem is mainly used with reference to evidence support systems.
COMMENT (NPW)
I think this definition of global evidence ecosystem is problematic. There is no graphical illustration of the two systems and their overlap, so it is difficult to visualise.
It is simpler and more accurate to think of research as being embedded in the global evidence ecosystem rather than as a separate system. Robust research is at the very heart of the global evidence ecosystem. Fiona Godlee, myself and co-authors described the global evidence ecosystem (which we then called the 'evidence-based knowledge system for developing reliable, relevant, usable information on health care') as a cyclical set of processes in our 2004 Lancet paper Can we achieve health information for all by 2015? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(04)16681-6/fulltext Input from HIFA members has since contributed to the evolution of our current simplified description of the global evidence ecosystem. https://www.hifa.org/about-hifa This recognises six components embracing those who generate (primary researchers), publish, synthesise, repackage, avail and apply evidence.
What is missing from the above publication is a systems-thinking approach that looks holistically at the global evidence ecosystem and how it can be strengthened. This view is needed to complement the more granular perspectives described in the publication. HIFA was launched in 2006 to address three intrinsic weaknesses of the global evidence ecosystem: poor communication among the actors in the system (through HIFA forums), poor understanding of information needs and how to meet them (through sponsored HIFA discussions) and poor political and financial commitment to the vision of universal access to reliabe healthcare information: a world where every person will have access to the information they need to protect their own healh and the health of others - which HIFA does by securing official endorsement from 420 supporting organisations, World Medical Association, International Federation of Library Associations and - a focus of our efforts in 2026 - WHO itself).
However, the publication does recognise that 'The Global Coalition for Evidence – launched in 2024 and hosted by WHO – will play a key role in driving this work forward. It will bring funders together, support collaboration and help ensure accountability.'
A reading of the web page of the Global Coalition for Evidence confirms the holistic approach that is needed to accelerate progress. https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-coalition-for-evidence
As the new publication concludes: 'Ultimately, this agenda is a call to action. It invites everyone – from governments to grassroots organizations – to work together to make sure evidence leads to better decision-making, better policies and better health for all.'
This is what HIFA has been trying to do for 20 years, with minimal capacity (1.2 staff) and therefore limited impact.
The Global Coalition for Evidence provides the concept for transformational change but we are in contact with them and recognise that the Coalition itself lacks political and financial support and, like HIFA, has minimal capacity and and will have limited impact without additional resources.
This would be the right time, finally, for a funding agency such as the Gates Foundation to step up and respond to the call back in 2006 by global health leaders: 'The challenge is to ensure that everyone in the world can have access to clean, clear knowledge." https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(06)68050-1/abstract
As our global consultation report (2023/4) concluded: 'If WHO were to explicitly support universal access to reliable healthcare information, and lead efforts to accelerate progress, this would be a game-changer.' It would help leverage the political and financial support needed to strengthen the global evidence ecosystem.
I remain optimistic. There are strong signs that WHO is heading in this direction and HIFA is working on achieving a breakthrough this year, in official relations with WHO. https://www.hifa.org/projects/hifa-official-relations-who
We are currently seeking a total of £12,000 to fund our work in 2026. For further information, contact neil@hifa.org
Many thanks, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org