The Pan-University Network for Global Health: framework for collaboration and review of global health needs

Abstract

In the current United Nations efforts to plan for post 2015-Millennium Development Goals, global partnership to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has become a critical goal to effectively respond to the complex global challenges of which inequity in health remains a persistent challenge. Building capacity in terms of well-equipped local researchers and service providers is a key to bridging the inequity in global health. Launched by Penn State University in 2014, the Pan University Network for Global Health responds to this need by bridging researchers at more than 10 universities across the globe. In this paper we outline our framework for international and interdisciplinary collaboration, as well the rationale for our research areas, including a review of these two themes. After its initial meeting, the network has established two central thematic priorities: 1) urbanization and health and 2) the intersection of infectious diseases and NCDs. The urban population in the global south will nearly double in 25 years (approx. 2 billion today to over 3.5 billion by 2040). Urban population growth will have a direct impact on global health, and this growth will be burdened with uneven development and the persistence of urban spatial inequality, including health disparities. The NCD burden, which includes conditions such as hypertension, stroke, and diabetes, is outstripping infectious disease in countries in the global south that are considered to be disproportionately burdened by infectious diseases. Addressing these two priorities demands an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional model to stimulate innovation and synergy that will influence the overall framing of research questions as well as the integration and coordination of research.

Building Sustainable Networks: Introducing the Pan Institution Network for Global Health

“…Within the ever-expanding field of global health, PINGH has selected two specific priority areas: multiple morbidities and urban health. Both of these areas are in line with the shifting global burden of disease and growing population (Winchester et al 2016). In today's globalized world, many low-and middle-income countries are undergoing rapid changes that are conducive to both ongoing infectious disease burdens and growing rates of noncommunicable diseases (Murray and Lopez 2013).…”

“…The Pan Institution Network for Global Health (PINGH) is the result of a targeted interest in using university partnerships to address global health needs (Winchester et al 2016). In 2014, Pennsylvania State University hosted a meeting to discuss potential mechanisms and collaborations among more than a dozen global universities.…”

“…These two aims are deeply entwined and guide our governance practices within the network. We outline our logic model elsewhere (Winchester et al 2016), but note that it is built on two assumptions: (1) that partnerships and the reciprocal flow of innovation is necessary to address global health and health care challenges, and (2) collaboration requires engaged network members, collective decision making and open communication. Building on Pratt and Hyder's (2017) framework for governance of global health consortia, we aim for a deliberate and inclusive process among our partners.…”

Reported needs of information resources, research tools, connectivity and infrastructure among African Pharmacological Scientists to improve future patient care and health

“…There have been different initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide between high and medium and low income Countries (LMIC) such as concerted efforts of the United States of America National Library of Medicine and the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) in the beginning of the twentieth century [18] as well as the Pan University Network for Global Health [19]. Similarly, the European Union framework program for research and innovation has also established e-infrastructure projects aimed at achieving a single and open European space for online connections where researchers enjoy leading-edge, ubiquitous and reliable services for networking and computing, as well as seamless and open access to the e-Science environment and global data resources by 2020 and beyond [20].…”

Barriers to participation in global surgery academic collaborations, and possible solutions: a qualitative study

“…3,7,17,19,27 However, there is a need to increase surgical care based on a growing population with an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases. 36 A movement toward more global health partnerships can help achieve this, 20 and given the increasing interest in global surgery, it is critical that involvement in GSACs is facilitated. We aimed to identify barriers to participation in GSACs for those in HICs and to propose solutions that can facilitate involvement.…”