WHO is issuing an open call for experts to advise on valuation of foodborne diseases at the global, regional, and national levels. In particular, advice is needed on current economic health valuation practices and their use in low- and middle-income countries, and on the availability and representativeness of medical treatment cost data in all countries.
Introduction
WHO is actively working to update the global estimates of the public health burden of foodborne diseases, following a new resolution in 2020 (WHA73.5). This work will estimate cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) loss from foodborne disease globally and at a regional and national level. The WHO technical advisory group, “Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG) for 2021-2025” is assisting WHO in its estimation process.
At the third FERG meeting held in May 2022, the group advised WHO also to explore estimating the economic impact of these foodborne hazards. Both public health and economic burden estimates are important to strengthening political commitments to improve food safety and to more effective resource allocation and risk management decisions.
Background
Following the first WHO estimates of the global burden of foodborne diseases in 2015, the World Bank published a report in 2019, "The Safe Food Imperative: Accelerating Progress in Low- and Middle-Income Countries” that included estimates of the economic impact of foodborne diseases globally and regionally. In response to FERG recommendations, the World Bank and WHO agreed to work together to develop estimates of the economic impact of foodborne diseases based on the updated WHO global burden of foodborne disease estimates. These new economic estimates will be national, regional, and global.
The 2019 World Bank publication only included lost productivity in its estimate of the economic impact of foodborne diseases. The World Bank and WHO are interested in exploring the feasibility of using a more comprehensive measure of the economic impact of these diseases. The World Bank and WHO will hold a meeting of experts in early 2024 on the feasibility of alternative economic measures. Any measure must be consistent with sound economic theory and feasible to implement globally, regionally, and nationally. The meeting will be held virtually.
Scope and objective of the meeting
The objective of the meeting is to discuss possible methodologies to quantify the economic burden of foodborne diseases based on the updated global burden estimates that are planned to be made available in 2025.
Call for experts
WHO is seeking experts to participate in an online call to advise the World Bank and WHO on feasible and appropriate methodology to estimate the economic burden of foodborne diseases globally, regionally, and nationally. WHO is seeking experts with expertise in health economics, particularly in economic valuation of health outcomes. WHO is interested both in experts with knowledge of theory and practice of monetary health valuation, and experts with practical knowledge of the availability of cost of health treatment data in low- and middle-income countries. All applicants should meet the following general criteria:
- advanced university degree in economics and/or public health;
- at least five years of professional experience in health economics, health valuation, or other work providing insight into the availability of data and representativeness of measures of the economic cost of disease in low- and middle-income countries;
- a demonstrated record of experience relevant to this call including:
- a record of relevant scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals; or
- professional experience demonstrating a knowledge of the availability of medical treatment cost data or of access to and utilization of medical care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries; and
- good knowledge of the English language, both written and oral.
Selection of experts
Applicants' curricula vitae (CV) will be reviewed based on the above criteria by a selection panel consisting of two or more individuals appointed by World Bank or WHO. Selected experts may be required to read background documents. In selecting experts, World Bank and WHO will consider, in addition to scientific and technical excellence, diversity and complementarities of scientific backgrounds, balanced representation from geographic regions, including developing and developed countries, as well as gender. Unsuccessful candidates are not routinely notified.
Appointments for experts
Selected experts will be invited to contribute to the virtual expert meeting only in their individual scientific capacity. An expert will not represent the government of the country of which they are a citizen or the institution with which they are associated. The designated experts will not receive any remuneration.
Applications
Interested applicants should:
- complete the online application at https://extranet.who.int/dataformv3/index.php/465438?lang=en
- submit their CV through the application platform to WHO secretariat.
The CV should include a description of education, relevant work experience, evidence of national or international expertise on the topic, including a list of peer-reviewed publications or other outputs relevant to the factors indicated above (please do not include reprints in your submission unless specifically requested at a later date).
Before participating in any related activity, all the selected experts will be required to declare any potential interests associated with the topic of the meeting. Experts will be asked to indicate, in writing, all interests (financial and intellectual) on their part or that of their spouse that may affect, or be perceived to affect, their scientific independence as experts, including one or more of the following conditions: employment (past or present) by any commercial enterprise or private or civil sector association; receipt of research or other study grants from such enterprises or associations; shareholdings in commercial enterprises active in fields related to food safety.
Identification of interest does not necessarily indicate a conflict nor automatically exclude an individual from participation. For example, as an expert, it is expected that many, if not all, will be employed in some capacity related to the subject matter. These declarations must be completed and evaluated before a formal invitation will be issued. Declaration documents will be retained by the Joint Secretariat and a summary of declarations will be included in the report of the work. In addition, a confidentiality undertaking form must also be completed prior to the appointment to ensure proper handling of dossiers and proprietary information.
Deadline
Please submit nominations and CVs at your earliest convenience. Selection of participants will begin on 8 January 2024 and continue until suitable candidates are identified.
If you have any questions about this “Call for experts”, please contact WHO secretariat at fbd-burden@who.int.