Summary of the impact

Research conducted by LSHTM has informed the delivery of a 30-year WHO strategy aimed at reducing the devastating burden of liver cancer in Africa and least developed countries in other regions. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study (GHIS) - the only randomised trial of a hepatitis B vaccine with a disease endpoint in Africa - have shaped current WHO policy recommendations for vaccinations against the virus, enabling WHO to advise against the need for a booster programme, and protecting governments in the less developed world from significant additional expenditure.

Summary of the impact

Trachoma, caused by ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness. Research by Professors David Mabey and Robin Bailey, LSHTM, has shown that a single oral dose of azithromycin is an effective, feasible mass treatment and could eliminate trachoma from affected communities. As a result, the manufacturer Pfizer agreed to donate azithromycin to trachoma control programmes for as long as necessary and WHO established an Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020. Since 2008, 205m azithromycin doses have been donated, and WHO elimination targets have been achieved in nine countries.

Summary of the impact

Research by Martin & Griffiths has had an impact on public and professional understanding of donor-recipient relationships and neo-colonial power structures in global education partnerships and has fostered understanding of global partnerships and study visits as sites for intercultural, transformative learning. Specifically, it has had impact by:

• the use of research findings by professional bodies to inform best practice in global learning;
• stimulating practitioner debate about global partnerships;
• developing resources to enhance professional practice in the teaching of geographical and intercultural education.

Summary of the impact

In 2006, new diagnostic tools for tuberculosis (TB) were introduced through the NICE guidelines, assuming they would perform equally well in adults and children. Research conducted by Imperial College researchers proved this assumption to be incorrect and that TB diagnostics needed to be evaluated specifically for children, as performance was different from adults. The Imperial researchers were the first to conduct the evaluations. Their results subsequently influenced the use of diagnostics and overall management of childhood TB, including the design of a public health tool for contact tracing in the community and inclusion of their results and recommendations in national and international guidelines.

Summary of the impact

A trial of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) coordinated by Greenwood (LSHTM) and conducted in Gambian infants, showed a significant reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease, severe pneumonia, hospital admissions and deaths in vaccinated children. These results played an important role in encouraging WHO to recommend the introduction of a PCV into the routine immunisation programme of all countries with a high child mortality. Fifty-one GAVI eligible countries have now introduced, or made a commitment to introduce, a PCV into their routine infant immunisation programme with the consequent saving of many young lives.

Summary of the impact

The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI) developed by Professor Autio and colleagues has been designed to address the shortcoming that policy makers lack robust measures for effective guidance for national entrepreneurship policy analysis, design and implementation. GEDI profiles National Systems of Entrepreneurship. The main impact has been as follows:

• Scottish Enterprise used GEDI analysis to re-think its entrepreneurship policy [A];
• UNCTAD adopted GEDI in its Entrepreneurship Policy Framework [B, C];
• In 2013, EU decided to include GEDI data in the 2014 EU Cohesion Report. This will determine the allocation of EU Structural Funds (€320 Billion) [D].

The ultimate beneficiaries of more effective policies are the businesses, taxpayers, and populations of these countries.

Summary of the impact

In order to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other chronic diseases, effective and cost-effective interventions to strengthen primary care through in-service nurse training were put in place as standard practice throughout South Africa (population 50 million), based on our research. This programme has so far trained 1500 trainers in all 8 provinces, who in turn have trained 18,000 primary care professionals in 1900 of all 3500 clinics nationally. South Africa, with 5.8 million HIV+ people, and 500,000 newly infected with tuberculosis each year, based its Nurse Initiation and Monitoring of Antiretroviral Treatment policy on our training package and trials. These were landmark changes in primary health policy and provision in South Africa. The training methods and materials are also being used in Gambia, Malawi, Brazil and Portugal.

Summary of the impact

King's College London (KCL) researchers have created, refined and validated the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS), a tool that measures the physical, psychological, spiritual and information needs of patients at the end of their lives and their families. The POS has had an outstanding impact on clinical competencies and knowledge, and has underpinned an international collaboration to develop standards for palliative care outcomes. The POS is embedded increasingly in everyday clinical practice, improving the care of patients affected by advanced conditions and providing support for their families. The POS, widely used regionally and nationally in the UK to evaluate and improve the quality of care, has been culturally adapted for use in 20 European Union countries, and in Africa and other countries around the globe.

Summary of the impact

Integrated Vector Management (IVM) was developed by the World Health Organisation to control vector borne diseases using combinations of interventions. Professor Steve Lindsay and his team have contributed to the development and assessment of many of the tools used for vector control, including insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), larval source management and house screening for malaria control. This research has influenced international policy on the control of malaria and other important diseases. It is estimated that 294 million ITNs have been purchased for malaria control, and have helped save 1.1 million lives over the past decade.

Summary of the impact

Research at Coventry University has produced innovative approaches to addressing sexual health and wellbeing issues, sexual health promotion and sex education. The research has resulted in:-

• Impact on health and wellbeing (UK), an increase in self-reported use of sexual health services (supported by an increase in STI screening rates in some services) and increases in chlamydia screening and detection rates (with the programme now being rolled out nationally). Beneficiaries include young people, parents, GPs, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.
• Impact on society, culture and creativity through public understanding and public debate (International), with more than 150,000 visitors from over 20 countries accessing the sexual health resources, 30% of visitors returning to the website and an average of 6000 visits per month to the site, one year after launch. These resources benefit young people (primarily 13-25 age group).
• Impact on practitioners and services (International), with training courses and tools facilitating the adoption of best practice, with resources benefitting health practitioners and teachers and being used as evidence of harmful cultural practices in the Asylum Appeal Court.