Advocacy

02 March, 2006

Global Health Research Champion’s Kit

Global Health Research Champion’s Kit

To download a copy  http://www.ccghr.ca/default.cfm?content=library&lang=e&subnav=library

The contents of this kit are intended to assist you in spreading the message to friends, colleagues, local politicians and others who make or influence policy decisions, that there are good reasons to increase investment and involvement in global health research

By “global health” we mean those health problems that are devastating low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America – sometimes collectively referred to as countries of the “South.”  Among the most prevalent health problems are HIV/AIDS, tobacco use and malaria, but other communicable diseases are also taking their toll, and the recent SARS outbreak emphasized how quickly new and potentially deadly diseases can arise.

 

By “research” we mean the production and application of knowledge to eradicate or manage disease and improve people’s health.  To us the word covers a broad spectrum of activity ranging from:

·        the pure scientific research that produces a new treatment or vaccine, to

·        the applied research that helps public policy decision-makers decide how best to use this knowledge to improve the health of their constituents, to

·        human behaviour research that determines how best to educate and influence individuals to use this knowledge to improve their own health.

 
While we’ve supplied sample messages, facts and figures, and templates in this Champion’s Kit, they are intended as a starting point to help you discover the messages and vehicles that will work best for you.  We know that you are most persuasive when you’re most personal and passionate – speaking from the heart as well as the head.Champion’s Kit Contents

How to Be a Champion for Global Health Research

Key Messages/Facts and Figures

Template:  Letter to Decision-Makers

Template:  Letter to the Editor

Template:  An Op Ed for a Newspaper

Template:  Capturing Success Stories

Background Reading:  Health knowledge to fight global poverty:  Why and how should Canada increase its investment in global health research?    A briefing paper prepared by the Interim Executive Board of the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (Available soon)

Resources on the Web

About the Coalition

·        Press Release (October 2003)

·        Brochure