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Towards a shared understanding of sustainability for neglected tropical disease programs
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 15, Iss 8, p e0009595 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background Sustainability within neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs is a complex and challenging issue. The need for a shared understanding about what sustainability means for NTD programs is more important than ever as stakeholders are currently realigning for the next decade of NTD programming with the launch of WHO’s new NTD roadmap for 2012–2030. The aim of this paper is to assess different perspectives to generate a working definition of sustainability for NTD programs. Methodology/Principal findings This study surveyed affiliates of the NTD NGO Network (NNN) about their definitions of sustainability and then analyzed the data using an inductive and deductive process. The research team drafted a sustainability statement based on the survey findings and then solicited and incorporated feedback on the statement from a diverse group of expert reviewers. The final statement includes a working definition of sustainability for NTD programs that highlights three key essential components to sustainability: domestic commitment, responsive resource mobilization, and accountability. Conclusions/Significance This research resulted in a sustainability statement, based on a survey and extensive consultation with stakeholders, that represents a starting point for shared understanding around the concept of sustainability for NTD programs. Future collaborative work should build off this definition and seek to incorporate indicators for sustainability into programmatic decision-making.<br />Author summary The question of whether a global public health program can be sustainable is as important as whether that program is effective. While neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs have achieved tangible success in reducing the burden of NTDs over the past decade through a massive collaboration between global and local stakeholders, the achievement of global NTD control and elimination goals will depend in large part on whether these efforts are sustained. This study seeks to encourage more and better dialogue around NTD program sustainability by incorporating a wide variety of expert perspectives to create and propose a shared definition of sustainability upon which future NTD programming decisions can be made. The sustainability statement based on the findings from this study suggests that three essential components to NTD program sustainability are commitment from decision-makers within NTD-endemic countries, resource mobilization that is responsive to local needs, and enhanced mechanisms for accountability.
- Subjects :
- Program evaluation
Resource mobilization
Asia
Knowledge management
Economics
Science Policy
Process (engineering)
RC955-962
Social Sciences
Surveys
Research and Analysis Methods
Global Health
World Health Organization
Sustainability Science
Research Funding
Geographical Locations
Medical Conditions
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Humans
Public and Occupational Health
Government Funding of Science
Disease Eradication
Health Systems Strengthening
Social Responsibility
Survey Research
Health Care Policy
business.industry
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Sustainability science
Neglected Diseases
Tropical Diseases
Health Care
Infectious Diseases
Work (electrical)
Research Design
People and Places
Sustainability
Accountability
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
business
Social responsibility
Finance
Research Article
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Program Evaluation
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19352735
- Volume :
- 15
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....8e46e8a514640bfb5b7419f2505b3ecf