DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Sharing learning around the role of Community Health Workers in improving the resilience of health systems in Brazil and the UK

Project disclaimer

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Description

We want to build a strong partnership between Imperial College London and Fiocruz Brazil to enable reciprocal learning. Our first goal is to exchange knowledge and research on an effective and affordable healthcare model, the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs), which originated in Brazil. CHWs are a vital part of Brazil's health system, and played a significant role in improving public health over the last 30 years. Inspired by Brazil's success, the UK is now introducing CHWs and there are already 100 CHWs providing support to 20k households nationally. Important learning from the implementation in the UK can offer reciprocal benefit to Brazil, particularly regarding resources and skills, training around chronic disease and mental ill health and research. We want to make sure that as the UK adopts this model, it respects and learns from Brazil's experience and 'gives back' in terms benefits. Brazil's success offers valuable insights for the UK and the adoption of the CHWs is a rare example of 'reverse innovation'.(1) The term 'reverse' is testimony to the bias of lower income countries predominantly learning from high income countries. However, a more balanced knowledge exchange is possible. Brazil can benefit from the UK's experience of implementing their model, especially in dealing with issues like mental health and chronic diseases and how CHWs in Brazil could be trained and supported to deal with these growing issues. By working together, we can learn from each other and strengthen the CHW model in both countries. We plan to involve CHWs from both Brazil and the UK in this process, recognising their expertise and frontline experience. Our second goal is to collaborate on research about making health and social care systems more resilient to system shocks such as pandemics or natural disasters. Fiocruz is a world leader in applying Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) to study resilience in healthcare, in particular how CHWs in Brazil have impacted positively on resilience in the health system there by creating a more adaptable, community-focused approach. Unlike traditional resilience research, FRAM allows us to predict and test how systems work in the every day, not just in crises. We want to use these research methods to understand health system resilience better by applying this research to the UK, where our Brazilian colleagues can advance these methods by directly comparing systems with and without CHWs. In Brazil, CHWs are established as a fundamental part of the SUS and such comparisons are no longer possible in the same way. This collaboration has the potential to make a significant impact in both countries. Global challenges like climate change, future pandemics, and the growing demands on health and social care systems due to an ageing population will require global solutions. The CHW workforce could be a key part of addressing these challenges. This proposal is the foundation for building strong alliances between our teams and organizations in both countries. This includes developing joint funding proposals, research projects, accessible blue prints and toolbox kits and engaging with key stakeholders for reciprocal learning. We will organize roundtable discussions with senior leaders, community members, and academics from both countries to ensure support for scaling and sustaining this model, and to quickly turn research into practice.

Objectives

ISPF aims to foster prosperity by solving shared global research and innovation challenges. This will be done through working closely with international partners to: support research excellence and build the knowledge and technology of tomorrow strengthen ties with international partners that share our values; enable researchers and innovators to cultivate connections, follow their curiosity and pioneer transformations internationally, for the good of the planet. Activities under ISPF ODA aim to deliver research and innovation partnerships with low- and middle-income countries.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Brazil

Disclaimer: Country borders do not necessarily reflect the UK Government's official position.