Why invest in research for health?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health merits special attention as a key to broader development.

Better health is necessary although not a sufficient condition for better outcomes on income, productivity, and sustained development. The importance of investing in research for health has not yet been fully realized as financial resources for research remain insufficient.However, investing in research for health in developing countries is a necessity, not an extravagance, as people should expect to live full and healthy lives despite economic disparities. Money spent on research for health is an economic driver, enhances competitiveness and addresses the social determinants of health.

Local political will and investments are vital for sustained growth in health research. The effort to develop national health research systems is a crucial step towards translating priority health problems and needs into health research questions.

Hib vaccine research and development in Cuba

Spatial analysis of road safety in Mexico

Kangaroo Mother Care as a hospital alternative

Control of Yellow Fever in the Panama Canal Zone

Early Detection of Acute Respiratory Infections in Guatemala

TB in the US-Mexico border region

HIV Resistance Network and antiretroviral therapy 

Breast cancer screening in Manitoba

References

• Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.
• Global Forum for Health Research. Monitoring financial flows for health research. 2007. Available at www.globalforumhealth.org/Media-Publications/Publications/Monitoring-Financial-Flows-for-Health-Research-2007-Behind-the-global-numbers (accessed 24 February 2010).
• Barreto, Mauricio L; Health research in developing countries; BMJ 2009;339:b4846. Available at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/nov20_1/b4846?eaf (accessed 24 February 2010).
• Policy on Research for Health, PAHO, 2009: Annex A, Policy Paper on Research for Health, Background and Rationale, 3, p.9.