Translating scientific evidence into global health policy: Making mental health count for individuals′ and populations′ health

Abstract

Scientific evidence in all sciences, inclusive of the brain and neurosciences as well as in assessing health systems’ performance is rapidly evolving in the 21st century. This new evidence is augmenting the understanding of the brain and its functions, its transactions with the human genome, the microbiome,Β the social determinantsΒ of health, and the dominant global burden of diseases presented by non-communicable diseases, inclusive of mental disorders, and their comorbidities. Together they are stimulating new research and innovation in addressing the challenges of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention continuum as well as the current health systems’ fragmentation. The author presents contemporary scientific evidence, its impact on developing Total Health models of integrated health systems, and its translation into global health policy to benefit individuals’ and populations’ health.

Keywords

• TOTAL health
• scientific evidence
• translation
• global health policy