Update process of the National Agenda for Public Health Research 2021-2022

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A participatory National Public Health Research Agenda (ANISP) with thematic prioritization is a strategic element to generate evidence-based recommendations and public policies that have a positive impact on the health of populations and enable to achieve health objectives. The Directorate of Health Research (DIS) of the Argentine Ministry of Health (MSAL), through the Ministerial Network of Health Research (REMINSA), along with actors from the provincial and national government levels belonging to public, private, health, academic and research sectors participated in the update of the ANISP. They adapted the original tool proposed by the Pan American Health Organization and used in the process in 2019. The update included different stages. The selection of the topics had the legitimacy, recognition and participation of the actors involved, related to health, to government and private management and to scientific research; the work was conducted in a federal and transversal manner by consensus with the provincial networks and a Central Advisory Committee in the MSAL. Based on the preliminary guidelines obtained, a semi-structured online survey was developed and distributed to all federal actors, receiving 431 responses. The process resulted in 55 prioritized guidelines, divided into 6 thematic areas and 33 sub-themes, selected by voting according to importance, impact and feasibility.