Letter published in the PNAS Journal on September 25, 2023.
In their article, Ekström and Ottersen discuss the urgent need for global data sharing agreements to facilitate the implementation of a “digital twin” system for pandemic monitoring and prevention. The authors highlight the significance of combining international air travel passenger data with epidemiological modeling, as demonstrated by Stenseth et al. They emphasize that unfettered data access, supported by international agreements, is crucial for the effectiveness of digital twins in making evidence-based decisions on nonmedical interventions. The call for cooperation, solidarity, and equitable data distribution becomes paramount in addressing the looming risk of new pandemics.
NON-HOMOGENEITY IN THE EFFICIENCY EVALUATION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS
Research study published in BMC Health Services Research on November 10, 2023
This article addresses the challenge of non-homogeneity in evaluating the efficiency of health systems. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a popular method for efficiency evaluation, the article outlines 14 recommendations to handle non-homogeneity, considering both production unit variations and environmental factors. These recommendations are applied to assess the health system efficiency, emphasizing the importance of careful unit selection, categorization, and the incorporation of external factors.
HALF A MILLION CHILDREN DIE OF MALARIA EVERY YEAR. FINALLY WE CAN CHANGE THAT
Editorial article in Nature Journal published on October 11, 2023
A new malaria vaccine, R21, has been recommended by scientific advisers to the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a crucial step in combating the disease, which is expected to claim over 600,000 lives this year. Developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, R21 has shown 75% efficacy in phase III trials. However, addressing funding and manufacturing challenges is crucial for its success. While the Serum Institute can produce 100 million doses annually, a funding deficit of $1.5 billion per year for malaria programs and the need for increased vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa pose obstacles.