From policy to practice: Mapping regional health governance through insights from World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Committee Meetings (sessions 54-74).

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) plays a crucial role in addressing health challenges in one of the world's most diverse and populous regions. This study analyzes the WHO SEARO Regional Committee Meeting Reports from sessions 54 to 74 (2000-2021) to understand the evolution of regional health policies and their impact on health outcomes. A policy evaluation framework with keyword co-occurrence analysis was employed to identify primary policy focuses and discussion themes. Data were extracted from the WHO SEARO meeting reports using two study tools: one for extracting keywords and another for health parameters. Statistical analysis, including multivariable linear regression and logistic regression, was performed to explore correlations between keyword occurrences and health outcomes. The analysis revealed significant improvements in health outcomes. For instance, communicable diseases saw a reduction of 35%, and maternal mortality rates decreased by 40% over the two decades. Child mortality rates also saw a significant decline of 45%. However, the region faces persistent challenges such as a 25% increase in noncommunicable diseases and growing environmental health issues. Key themes identified include infectious diseases (mentioned in 65% of reports), maternal and child health (75%), environmental health (50%), and emerging threats like pandemics and climate change (30%). The WHO SEARO Regional Committee meetings are vital for facilitating regional collaboration and aligning national health policies with global health goals. By systematically analyzing the discussions and policy focuses, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes in the South-East Asia Region and supports the development of effective evidence-based health policies.