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Journal Article•DOI•

Sitting on the FENSA: WHO engagement with industry.

Kent Buse1, Sarah Hawkes2•
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS1, University College London2
30 Jul 2016-The Lancet (Elsevier)-Vol. 388, Iss: 10043, pp 446-447
TL;DR: When decisions are made that will impact on people’s health, who should be represented at the policy-making table?
About: This article is published in The Lancet.The article was published on 2016-07-30 and is currently open access. It has received 28 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Sitting.
Citations
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Journal Article•DOI•
Pharmaceutical industry, non-communicable diseases and partnerships: More questions than answers.

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David Beran1, Margaret Ewen, François Chappuis1, Tim Reed, Hans V Hogerzeil2 •
University of Geneva1, University of Groningen2
01 Dec 2017-Journal of Global Health
TL;DR: The need for partnership is included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and requires inclusive partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector.
Abstract: When 21 biopharmaceutical companies recently launched the Access Accelerated Initiative (AAI) on prevention and care for non-communicable diseases (NCD) [1] in Davos, Switzerland, it was described as a ‘global, multi-stakeholder collaboration’. The need for partnership is included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). SDG 17 aims to “Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” and requires inclusive partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector [2].

7 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
The new WHO Foundation - global health deserves better.

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Nason Maani, May C I van Schalkwyk1, Mark Petticrew, Rob Ralston, Jeff Collin •
University of London1
01 Feb 2021-BMJ Global Health
TL;DR: The WHO remains a linchpin in global health not least in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been well-documented issues with the models of funding adopted, the size and sources of financial contributions and donor influence in vertically driving specific priorities.
Abstract: ### Summary box The WHO remains a linchpin in global health not least in response to the COVID-19 pandemic It relies on contributions from donors and member states,1 but there have been well-documented issues with the models of funding adopted, the size and sources of financial contributions and donor influence in vertically driving specific priorities,2 in contrast to the wider health governance mandate of the WHO Adequate resources and independence are critical and interlinked The need to address major public health issues may conflict with vested interests such as powerful transnational companies that serve as the vectors of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer3 The WHO therefore needs the resources to independently and transparently intervene to improve health, prevent harm and tackle inequalities, consistent with its mission, whether the causes …

7 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
A ‘whole of United Nations approach’ to tackle antimicrobial resistance? A mapping of the mandate and activities of international organisations

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Didier Wernli, Stéphan Juergen Harbarth, Nicolas Levrat, Didier Pittet
01 May 2022-BMJ Global Health
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take stock of the current role, mandate, and activities of international organisations and other global stakeholders on AMR and identify relevant information through a web-based search and a review of policy documents from international organisations.
Abstract: The 2015 World Health Organization Global Action Plan and other international policy documents have stressed the need for a 'whole of United Nations approach' in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As several years have passed, the goal of this paper is to take stock of the current role, mandate, and activities of international organisations and other global stakeholders on AMR. Relevant information is identified through a web-based search and a review of policy documents from international organisations. Based on the assessment of 78 organisations, 21 have AMR-specific activities in the broader sense, although for many of these organisations, their involvement is limited in scope, and 36 have AMR-sensitive activities reflecting the wide scope of AMR. An interdisciplinary framework based on six relevant challenges of global collective actions regarding AMR as well as the main functions of international organisations in global governance is used to organise the findings into several ‘clusters’. AMR is not a priority for many international organisations, but some of them can leverage current efforts to tackle AMR while contributing to their core agenda. Overall, a ‘whole of UN approach’ to AMR within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals is critical to move the global governance of AMR forward.

6 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Queen bee in a beehive: WHO as meta-governor in global health governance

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Sara Van Belle, Remco van de Pas, Bruno Marchal
01 Feb 2018-BMJ Global Health
TL;DR: This journal would like to focus on what this networked model-WHO looks like and specifically of how WHO could play the meta-governor role.
Abstract: ### Summary box In this journal, Lee and Smith lament the lack of institutional innovation in the WHO, arguably the crux of global health governance (GHG).1 They contend that WHO can only regain its leadership role if it focuses on ‘ enabling consensus in a nimble and timely manner’ and foremost, if it supports ‘mechanisms to facilitate the formation of networks, sharing of resources, generation of ideas and enabling of decision-making across constituencies that are not confined to states alone ’. Like Mackey,2 they argue for a radical, innovative shift in GHG as complex global health challenges can no longer be borne by WHO alone. Lee and Smith rightly consider network governance as the leading institutional design to guide 21st century GHG. In the light of events related to WHO’s reform of the past year, we would like to focus on what this networked model-WHO looks like and specifically of how WHO could play the meta-governor role. Democratic networked or interactive governance has been advanced as the …

6 citations

Cites background from "Sitting on the FENSA: WHO engagemen..."

  • ...This framework is considered a step forward in democratising the policy debate, but there are concerns that FENSA is an insufficient response to the part the private sector plays in determining global health action and population-level health outcomes.(19) For instance, emergency response and preparedness requires WHO to fully exercise its power given through the International Health Regulations (IHR) to act swiftly in crises and enforce compliance from state actors....

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Journal Article•DOI•
World Health Organization and the search for accountability: a critical analysis of the new framework of engagement with non-state actors

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Danielle Hanna Rached1, Deisy de Freitas Lima Ventura1•
University of São Paulo1
03 Jul 2017-Cadernos De Saude Publica
TL;DR: The article concludes that there is a risk of the prevalence of the populist function at the expense of the accountability potential that could result from the better use of the other three accountability functions.
Abstract: The article probes the origins and content of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA) of the World Health Organization (WHO), approved on May 28, 2016, at the 69th World Health Assembly, which established different rules of collaboration to four categories of actors: nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, philanthropic foundations, and academic institutions. Applying the findings of International Legal Theory and based on extensive documentary research, we sought to determine whether FENSA is an appropriate accountability mechanism according to four functions of accountability: constitutional, democratic, epistemic, and populist. The article concludes that there is a risk of the prevalence of the populist function at the expense of the accountability potential that could result from the better use of the other three accountability functions.

4 citations

References
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Journal Article•DOI•
Priority actions for the non-communicable disease crisis

[...]

Robert Beaglehole1, Ruth Bonita1, Richard Horton, Cary Adams2, George Alleyne3, Perviz Asaria4, Vanessa Baugh5, Henk Bekedam, Nils Billo6, Sally Casswell7, Michele Cecchini8, Ruth Colagiuri9, Stephen Colagiuri9, Téa E Collins, Shah Ebrahim, Michael M. Engelgau10, Gauden Galea, Thomas A. Gaziano11, Robert Geneau12, Andy Haines13, James Hospedales3, Prabhat Jha, Ann Keeling9, Stephen R. Leeder14, Paul Lincoln15, Martin McKee13, Judith Mackay, Roger Magnusson14, Rob Moodie16, Modi Mwatsama15, Sania Nishtar, Bo Norrving, David Patterson, Peter Piot13, Johanna Ralston17, Manju Rani, K. Srinath Reddy18, Franco Sassi8, Nick Sheron19, David Stuckler20, Il Suh21, Julie Torode2, Cherian Varghese, Judith Watt •
University of Auckland1, Union for International Cancer Control2, Pan American Health Organization3, Imperial College London4, Commonwealth Secretariat5, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease6, Massey University7, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development8, International Diabetes Federation9, World Bank10, Brigham and Women's Hospital11, University of Ottawa12, University of London13, University of Sydney14, National Heart Forum15, University of Melbourne16, World Heart Federation17, Public Health Foundation of India18, University of Southampton19, Harvard University20, Yonsei University21
13 Aug 2011-The Lancet
TL;DR: The Lancet NCD Action Group and the NCD Alliance propose five overarching priority actions for the response to the crisis and the delivery of five priority interventions--tobacco control, salt reduction, improved diets and physical activity, reduction in hazardous alcohol intake, and essential drugs and technologies.

1,418 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Big Food, Food Systems, and Global Health

[...]

David Stuckler1, Marion Nestle2, Marion Nestle3•
University of Cambridge1, New York University2, Cornell University3
19 Jun 2012-PLOS Medicine
TL;DR: Guest editors David Stuckler and Marion Nestle lay out why more examination of the food industry is necessary, and offer three competing views on how public health professionals might engage with Big Food.
Abstract: In an article that forms part of the PLoS Medicine series on Big Food, guest editors David Stuckler and Marion Nestle lay out why more examination of the food industry is necessary, and offer three competing views on how public health professionals might engage with Big Food.

423 citations

Posted Content•
Democracy in Global Governance: The Promises and Pitfalls of Transnational Actors

[...]

Magdalena Bexell1, Jonas Tallberg2, Anders Uhlin1•
Lund University1, Stockholm University2
01 Jan 2010-Social Science Research Network
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the promises and pitfalls of transnational actors' role in global governance and explore how the structuring and operation of international institutions, public-private partnerships, and transnational agents themselves may facilitate expanded participation and enhanced accountability.
Abstract: The participation of transnational actors in global policy-making is increasingly seen as a means to democratize global governance. Drawing on alternative theories of democracy and existing empirical evidence, we assess the promises and pitfalls of this vision. We explore how the structuring and operation of international institutions, public-private partnerships, and transnational actors themselves may facilitate expanded participation and enhanced accountability in global governance. We find considerable support for an optimistic verdict on the democratizing potential of transnational actor involvement, but also identify hurdles in democratic theory and the practice of global governance that motivate a more cautious outlook. In conclusion, we call for research that explores the conditions for democracy in global governance through a combination of normative political theory and positive empirical research.

153 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Democracy in Global Governance: The Promises and Pitfalls of Transnational Actors

[...]

Magdalena Bexell, Jonas Tallberg, Anders Uhlin
19 Dec 2010-Global Governance
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the promises and pitfalls of transnational actors' participation in global policymaking and assess the conditions for democracy in global governance through a combination of normative political theory and positive empirical research, finding considerable support for an optimistic verdict on the democratizing potential of trans-national actor involvement, but also identifying hurdles in democratic theory and the practice of global governance that motivate a more cautious outlook.
Abstract: The participation of transnational actors in global policymaking is increasingly seen as a means to democratize global governance. Drawing on alternative theories of democracy and existing empirical evidence, we assess the promises and pitfalls of this vision. We explore how the structuring and operation of international institutions, public-private partnerships, and transnational actors themselves may facilitate expanded participation and enhanced accountability in global governance. We find considerable support for an optimistic verdict on the democratizing potential of transnational actor involvement, but also identify hurdles in democratic theory and the practice of global governance that motivate a more cautious outlook. In conclusion, we call for research that explores the conditions for democracy in global governance through a combination of normative political theory and positive empirical research.

129 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Global Health Philanthropy and Institutional Relationships: How Should Conflicts of Interest Be Addressed?

[...]

David Stuckler1, Sanjay Basu2, Sanjay Basu3, Martin McKee4•
Harvard University1, University of California, San Francisco2, San Francisco General Hospital3, University of London4
12 Apr 2011-PLOS Medicine
TL;DR: Five large private global health foundations are examined and the scope of relationships between these tax-exempt foundations and for-profit corporations including major food and pharmaceutical companies are reported on.
Abstract: David Stuckler and colleagues examine five large private global health foundations and report on the scope of relationships between these tax-exempt foundations and for-profit corporations including major food and pharmaceutical companies.

108 citations

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The political origins of health inequity: prospects for change

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15 Feb 2014-The Lancet
Ole Petter Ottersen, Jashodhara Dasgupta, Chantal Blouin, Paulo Marchiori Buss, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Julio Frenk, Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Bience P Gawanas, Rita Giacaman, John O. Gyapong, Jennifer Leaning, Michael Marmot, Desmond McNeill, Gertrude I Mongella, Nkosana Moyo, Sigrun Møgedal, Ayanda Ntsaluba, Gorik Ooms, Espen Bjertness, Ann Louise Lie, Suerie Moon, Sidsel Roalkvam, Kristin Ingstad Sandberg, Inger B. Scheel 
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23 Feb 2013-The Lancet
Rob Moodie, David Stuckler, Carlos Augusto Monteiro, Nick Sheron, Bruce Neal, Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Paul Lincoln, Sally Casswell 
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q1. What contributions have the authors mentioned in the paper "Sitting on the fensa: who engagement with industry" ?

In this paper, the World Health Assembly ( WHA ) reached consensus: `` WHO engages with non-State actors to encourage them to protect and promote public health '' and considered non-state actors as `` nongovernmental organizations [ NGOs ], private sector entities, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions ''. 

WHO and its governing body have taken an important step in democratizing the invite list to the policy table and establishing the dining etiquette. 

Do the authors rely upon self-regulation by industry (e.g., marketing codes or voluntary initiatives to reduce harmful exposure), co-regulation of the activities of industry (e.g. public sector partnerships with the private sector are an overarching approach within of WHO’s 2013-2020 Global Action Plan on NCDs8), or public regulation of private sector activities. 

A small but not insignificant part of the project entails embracing the public interest NGOs, which it has too long treated as adversaries, as the partners it needs to generate both public support and political incentives to induce national leaders to act. 

Concerns have long been raised about potential and actual conflicts of interest arising from WHO’s engagement with non-State actors (NSA), particularly those whose mandate hingesforemost upon the pursuit of profit rather than public health. 

Members States were generally supportive of the Framework, but NGOs voiced concern that “FENSA will increase….problematic entanglements between WHO and powerful private sector actors”, and were disappointed that the Framework fails to “acknowledge the different nature – and thus different roles – public and private sector actors should play in global health governance”3. 

Now WHO needs to jump decisively off the right side of the fence and take more impactful measures, globally and nationally, to protect the health of the public by aggressively supporting governments and their partners to govern the health impact of Big Industry. 

A Reuters investigation, for example, found not only that regional office PAHO had accepted money from companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestle and Unilever, but also that at least two of the 15 members of WHO’s Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group had direct financial ties to the food industry5.