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Note: The HIFA2015 website is currently being redeveloped and the new version will be launched shortly

CAMPAIGN: Healthcare Information for All by 2015

We call on international, national and local organisations to work together towards a future where every person worldwide has access to an informed healthcare provider

"I support the HIFA2015 Campaign and urge others to do the same."

Dr Tikki Pang, Director of Research Policy and Cooperation, World Health Organization - see Letter of Support

Information poverty in the ‘information age’

We live in the information age, but the reality is that tens of thousands of people die every day, often for the simple reason that the parent, carer or health worker lack the information and knowledge they need to save them. And for each person who dies, many others suffer serious harm due to ineffective or unsafe care.

Why a campaign?

There is growing consensus about the urgent need to improve the availability and use of healthcare information in developing countries. This vision was articulated in a paper by Fiona Godlee et al, 'Can we achieve health information for all by 2015?', published in the medical journal The Lancet in 2004. But activities in this area remain uncoordinated, with continued lack of understanding and underinvestment - and continued loss of life.

The HIFA2015 goal

By 2015, every person worldwide will have access to an informed healthcare provider

HIFA2015 Supporting Organisations - Application form

The following organisations and journals have provided financial and/or in-kind support: BMA, BMJ Publishing Group, International Child Health Group, Journal of Tropical Paediatrics, The Lancet, Royal College of Nursing, and Wellcome Trust.

How does the campaign work?

Extensive discussions with stakeholders, including the HIFA2015 and CHILD2015 email communities, indicate the Campaign should be facilitatory, participative, and inclusive, supporting all those involved in the creation, exchange and use of healthcare information (HIFA2015 Steering Group meetings). The Campaign framework is based on Communication, Understanding and Advocacy:

  1. Communication: Promoting international, regional and national cooperation
    HIFA2015 brings all stakeholders together around a common purpose: healthcare providers, producers of health reference and learning materials, librarians and information professionals, health researchers, policymakers, development workers and the general public.

  2. Understanding: Building a picture of information needs and how to meet them
    HIFA2015 harnesses experience and expertise to create a web-based resource specifically about information needs and different methods to meet those needs.

  3. Advocacy: Seeking and advocating cost-effective solutions
    HIFA2015 promotes the development of evidence-based solutions to address the information and learning needs of healthcare providers, and advocates for the political and financial commitment needed to support information and learning initiatives worldwide.

    The HIFA2015 Campaign was launched at the 10th biennial congress of the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa, Mombasa, Kenya, 26 October 2006. Meetings are also being planned in Asia, Eastern Mediterranean and South America.

    The Global Healthcare Information Network is responsible for coordination and administration. The HIFA2015 Steering Group is responsible for strategic direction and implementation, with input from members of the HIFA2015 and CHILD2015 email communities, and with expert assistance from the HIFA2015 Advisory Panel.

Join the HIFA2015 email forum - send your name, organisation and brief description of professional interests to: hifa2015-admin@dgroups.org

For further information see HIFA2015 Background Paper or contact Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Coordinator, HIFA2015 Campaign: neil.pakenham-walsh@ghi-net.org

 
 

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