During the 1990s the Global Forum for Health Research was set up by the WHO Ad Hoc Committee on Health Research for the purpose of correcting the 10/90 gap. The 10/90 gap at the time was related to expenditure on health research and development (R&D), which is essential for improving the design of health interventions, policies and service delivery. The 10/90 gap refers to the fact that an estimated 10% of health research and development expenditure is used for research into 90% of the world’s health problems.

CREATING SOLUTIONS APPLICABLE TO 90% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION

Today, instead of looking specifically at health R&D, the focus has widened to include the solutions we develop. Across the globe, solutions are developed that will benefit the richest 10% of the population while neglecting the 90%. We need to create sustainable healthcare solutions for the 90% that are broadly applicable outside the top 10%.

It is also important to take the lessons learned from the solutions in high income countries when developing the 90%. Examples include digital health and telemedicine as they are applicable both for the 10% as well as for the 90% but the 90% often don’t have the necessary access or capabilities to make use of it. Implementation needs to consider both the regional and local infrastructures as well as the capabilities of locals.

HOW DOES CIFS WORK WITH THE 19/90 GAP?

CIFS recognises the need to focus on 90% of population to create digital health solutions that could become applicable worldwide rather than just the well-off part of the population. For instance, through CIFS involvement with Movement Health 2030, it has been identified that countries in Central and Eastern Europe have the potential to create personalised healthcare models that would allow for leapfrogging in key areas of health and catching up in traditional areas through knowledge sharing.