Steps
Step 1
Global Health Issue Selection and Study Design
The core task of this step is to select an important global health issue and design a multinational/cross-regional epidemiological study plan. Choose from global burden of disease, health equity, infectious disease control, NCDs.
• Select global health topic: choose from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) research, MDG/SDG-related health issues, emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases, cross-national health equity, global health security
• Study design: determine study type (multinational cross-sectional, international cohort, multi-center clinical trial, ecological study); select study countries/regions (different income levels, regions, health systems); define comparative framework
• Ethics and collaboration: consider international research ethics (WHO ethics guidelines, IRB requirements in different countries); establish international collaboration mechanisms; clarify data sharing agreements; respect local culture and community participation
Deliverable: Global health research design proposal (background, research questions, study design, country selection, ethical framework, collaboration mechanisms) | Quality standard: Globally relevant research topic, design considering cross-national differences, comprehensive ethical framework, feasible collaboration mechanisms
Step 2
Global Data Collection and Standardization
The core task of this step is to systematically collect global/multinational data and ensure data standardization and comparability. Global health research data comes from diverse sources.
• Data source identification: determine data sources—WHO/UNICEF/World Bank international databases, GBD database, national health statistics yearbooks, multinational surveys (DHS, STEPwise), published literature systematic reviews
• Data standardization: unify disease definitions and diagnostic criteria (ICD codes, WHO standards); unify measurement units and methods; perform PPP currency conversion; age/sex structure standardization (direct/indirect methods)
• Data quality assessment: assess national data quality (completeness, reliability, timeliness); identify missing and anomalous data; establish data quality rating system; document data limitations and uncertainty
Deliverable: Global health dataset (multinational standardized data, data dictionary, quality assessment report, standardization methodology) | Quality standard: Authoritative and reliable data sources, scientific standardization methods, comprehensive data quality assessment, strong comparability
Step 3
Global Burden of Disease and Health Equity Analysis
The core task of this step is to analyze global/regional burden of disease and assess health equity status. Calculate disease burden indicators (DALY, YLL, YLD), analyze social determinants of health.
• Disease burden analysis: calculate global/regional/national incidence, prevalence, mortality, DALY, YLL, YLD; analyze disease spectrum changes and epidemiological transition
• Health equity analysis: decompose health indicator differences by socioeconomic dimensions (income level, gender, education, residence); calculate health inequality indices (Gini coefficient, concentration index, slope index); analyze impact of social determinants on health
• Trends and forecasting: analyze global health trends over past 20-30 years; use time series models and population projection models to forecast future disease burden; assess progress toward SDG targets
Deliverable: Global burden of disease and health equity analysis report (burden estimates, inequality indices, trend forecasting, regional comparison) | Quality standard: Standard burden of disease estimation methods, comprehensive equity analysis dimensions, scientific trend forecasting
Step 4
Global Health Intervention Effectiveness Evaluation and Policy Analysis
The core task of this step is to evaluate effectiveness of global health interventions and analyze health policy impacts. Systematically assess implementation effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions across countries.
• Intervention effectiveness evaluation: select key interventions (vaccination, antiviral therapy, tobacco control, salt iodization, maternal-child health programs); evaluate effectiveness using meta-analysis, systematic review, quasi-experimental designs; calculate NNT, vaccine effectiveness (VE)
• Cost-effectiveness analysis: perform CEA, CUA, CBA; calculate ICER; assess affordability and sustainability of interventions
• Policy analysis: analyze implementation effects of health policies in different countries; identify success factors and lessons learned; compare performance of different health system models (WHO health system framework: service delivery, workforce, information, financing, leadership); propose policy recommendations
Deliverable: Global health intervention evaluation and policy analysis report (intervention effectiveness evidence, cost-effectiveness analysis, policy comparison, recommendations) | Quality standard: Sufficient intervention evaluation evidence, standard cost-effectiveness analysis, in-depth and insightful policy analysis
Step 5
Global Health Report Writing and Policy Advocacy
The core task of this step is to write a global health research report and propose global action recommendations. Synthesize research findings and communicate conclusions to various stakeholders.
• Write research report: follow global health report standards including executive summary, background, methods, main findings, policy recommendations; produce different report versions for different audiences (policymakers, researchers, public)
• Propose action framework: based on research results, propose global/regional/national action recommendations; develop roadmap and timeline; clarify responsible actors and resource needs; propose monitoring and evaluation framework
• Policy advocacy and communication: develop knowledge translation and communication strategy; produce policy briefs, infographics, videos and other communication materials; use international conferences, media, social media to disseminate findings; promote policy dialogue and change
Deliverable: Global health research report, policy brief, action framework recommendations, communication materials | Quality standard: Scientific and rigorous report, specific and feasible action recommendations, effective communication strategy, strong policy influence