WHO launches report led by Eivind Engebretsen and Trish Greenhalgh

Here is the link to register for the event.

Background & Objectives

This report explores how knowledge translation (KT) and cultural contexts are conceptualized and utilized together, with a focus on health policy-making theory and practice. KT takes place within cultural contexts that can powerfully frame what the policy problems are and what type of research is accepted.

This is illustrated with studies from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the acceptance of wearing face masks across cultures and the influence of cultural contexts on KT and evidence-informed decision-making arising from the Black Lives Matter movement. In many Indigenous cultures physical health can be conceptualized in a systemic and holistic manner that encompasses both social and ecological aspects, yet this is often not considered in the biomedical understanding of health.

Mechanisms for effective KT within local cultural contexts requires going beyond general categories (such as Indigenous culture) and assumptions about particular types of culture. Some KT models and frameworks include local context as a factor in translation, identifying community-, culture- and language-focused strategies to improve cultural competency during local adaptation of health-care interventions. Policy considerations are provided that support the adoption of complex understandings of cultures in knowledge production, communication, translation and use.

Here you can download the report. 

The online event aims to

1. briefly present the new publication and its findings;
2. highlight the novelty of the HEN report both with regard to academic discussions and its practical relevance at country level;
3. highlight future opportunities for research, policy and practice

Target audience

The webinar will be open the public and will be promoted using various channels available to WHO, the HEN synthesis authors and peer reviewers. It will aim to attract attendees from various disciplines (including humanities, social sciences and medical sciences) and with diverse expertise who have an interest in knowledge translation, evidence-to-policy and health decision-making.
 

Event promotion activities will specifically aim to reach:

1. WHO staff in headquarters, regional and country offices,
2. policy makers and support staff in Members States,
3. members of knowledge translation platforms and evidence-to-policy experts (EVIPNet, Evidence Commission, etc.), and
4. actors in the public health, humanitarian assistance, development sector, academia, and civil society organizations (including UN agencies, INGOs etc.).

Agenda