Norwegian support to health research

on poverty related health problems –

current situation and future plans

Professor Roy H. Gabrielsen,Executive Director

Division for science The Research Council of Norway

Last 100 and next 1000 years

Climate scenario 2085 rel. to 1990 (IPCC):

Land areas are projected to warm

more than the oceans with the

greatest warming at high latitudes :

Global Average in 2085 = 3.1oC

Why do we need Global Health Research?

Ethical imperative: the 10/90 gap

Less than 10% of global spending on health research is devoted to diseases or conditions that account for 90% of the global disease burden

In Norway, there is a 5/90 gap, not 10/90

Why do we need Global Health Research?

Political Imperatives

White paper No. 35:

”The government will establish a research programme in order to increase Norwegian public and private research institutions’ efforts to solve global health problems”

Why do we need Global Health Research?

Political Imperatives:

Ministry of Health letter to The Research Council of Norway: Research Council to

”…prepare and launch a research programme on poverty related

diseases…”

Why do we need Global Health Research?

Political Imperatives:

Research Council Strategy:

” Research adds cultural resonance to society and creates a viable framework for sustainable development, welfare and wealth creation. At the same time,

Norway as a prosperous country is morally obligated to contribute to the global pool of knowledge.” (emphasis added)

Why do we need Global Health Research?

International obligations:

“European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership” (EDCTP)

A national Global Health research programme is part of Norway’s fulfilment of its obligations

International obligations

UN Millennium goals: Reduce by half the proportion of people who

suffer from hunger Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among

children under five Reduce by three quarters the ratio of women

dying in childbirth Halt and begin to reverse the spread of

HIV/AIDS and the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

Development aid 2002, selected OECD countries(% of GNP)

0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1 1,25

Danmark

Norge

Sverige

Nederland

Luxembourg

Belgia

Irland

Frankrike

Finland

Sveits

Storbritannia

Percentage of total budget allocation for health research for global health research (Research Councils)

Austria, Croatia

0 %

Finland, France, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Nederland

2-4 %

Denmark, Belgium, Slovakia, UK

5-9 %

Existing Global Health Initiatives within the RCN

Health issues in development researchUniversity Council (NUFU) and Magne Lerheim FellowshipsMedicine and health research programmes and projects with Global Health related activity (health promotion research, health services research, aids/immunology)New Programme on Global Health

Future RCN plans for Global Health research programme

Planning committee on Global Health

Proposal for programme ready by middle of November

Future plans…

The current situation: some observations

There are few and small research institutions There is a need to strengthen institutions and to

secure a true international perspective Only one centre with top rating in recent health

research evaluation Few private initiatives exist in Norway - but such

would be welcome

Future plans…

Aims of programme:

Contribute to a reduction of the 10/90 gap

Support policy development

Ensure Norway has attractive partners for international cooperation

Infrastructure for training and supervision for PhD students

Future plans…

Possible priority areas

Diseases that account for the largest part of the disease burden among marginalised population groups and the health systems for these groups

Thematic areas where Norway is strongly involved in health programmes and global health research

Thematic areas where Norway has capacity and competence to be in the international forefront