Read online: https://risingscholars.net/en/news/details/2180/
The World Health Organization
Since 2004 we have called on WHO to lead the way in championing the goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. WHO is uniquely placed to provide leadership and to convene stakeholders. The goal of universal access is already implicit in WHO’s Constitution but it is not explicit in their work plans. In 2022 HIFA’s parent body Global Healthcare Information Network was admitted into official relations with WHO and in 2023-4 we undertook a global consultation on behalf of WHO (report; infographic). The respondents overwhelmingly called for WHO to champion the goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information and to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy for its realisation.
Next steps
Our priority in 2026 is to take forward these two recommendations and support WHO to adopt them in practice. Meanwhile, HIFA continues to host vibrant discussions about all aspects of knowledge translation. For example, you can review our latest sponsored discussion on open access here, including perspectives of researchers on open access and article processing charges. HIFA now has more than 20,000 members in 180 countries, representing every aspect of the global evidence ecosystem. We are sharing an open invitation to participate (free): www.hifa.org/join
Quality health care is fundamentally dependent on researchers as the first component of the global evidence ecosystem, and we believe that strengthening communication, understanding and advocacy across the system, including and especially health researchers, is the key to knowledge translation and improvement of quality of care worldwide.
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org