Background: A multi-sectoral response is advocated by international organisations as a good strategy to address the multiple drivers and impact of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and was historically mandated as a condition of funding. In March 2017, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) launched the latest 5 year National Strategic Plan (NSP) to address HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. As with previous iterations, the NSP calls for multi-sectoral action (MSA) and mandates AIDS councils (ACs) at different levels to coordinate its implementation. Efforts have been made to advocate for the adoption of MSA in South Africa, yet evaluation of these efforts is currently limited.
Objective: This paper assesses the implementation of a multi-sectoral response to HIV in South Africa, through a case study of the Mpumalanga Province.
Methods: We identified and reviewed key policy documents, conducted 12 interviews and held six focus group discussions. We also drew on our involvement, through participant observation, in the development of NSPs and in AC meetings.
Results: SANAC is struggling to provide much-needed support to provincial, district and local ACs. Therefore, most ACs are generally weak and failing to implement MSA. Membership is voluntary, there is a lack of sustained commitment and they do not include representatives from all sectors. There is little capacity to undertake the activities necessary for coordinating the implementation of MSA, and unclear roles and responsibilities within ACs result in divisions and tension between sectors. There is inadequate senior political leadership and funding to facilitate effective implementation of MSA.
Conclusion: We identified three interventions that we argue are required to support the effective implementation of MSA: strengthening and stabilising the SANAC structure; building capacity of ACs; and creating an enabling environment for effective implementation of MSA through political leadership, support and resourcing of the HIV response.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2017.1387411 | DOI Listing |
Sci One Health
November 2024
National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai 200025, China.
Background: The emergence of dengue fever has prompted significant public health responses, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of One Health in addressing vector-borne diseases. China's experience in dengue control and prevention programs offers valuable insights into the successful integration of multidisciplinary strategies.
Aims: The review aims to: (1) systematically analyze lessons from China's dengue control and prevention programs, focusing on the integration of these efforts with the One Health approach; (2) underscore the reasons of optimizing the dengue control and prevention program; (3) highlight the alignment of China's dengue control strategies with the One Health framework; (4) contribute to global efforts in combating dengue, providing scientific evidence and strategic recommendations for other regions facing similar challenges.
Front Public Health
December 2024
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Psychol Health Med
December 2024
Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Public Health
December 2024
Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine. Electronic address:
Objectives: Palestine continues to face emergencies and a series of humanitarian crises. This study aims to comprehend emergency planning and response including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Comprehending and recording these experiences will facilitate on-going improvement of Palestine's Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
September 2024
Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Connecticut, USA.
Background: Addressing mental health disparities following COVID-19 requires adaptive, multi-sectoral, equity-focused, and community-based approaches. Mental health task-sharing in gateway settings has been found to address mental health care gaps in low- and middle-income countries, but is not a common practice in the U.S.
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