Policy Briefs
Policy Briefs provide concise summaries of evidence across countries on selected topics of regional relevance. The short briefs are supported by a working paper which gives detail of the available evidence and the basis for the recommendations.
20 August 2025
Landscape analysis of primary health care research in South, East Asia and the Pacific: policy brief
Strengthening PHC systems has been a priority for many countries in South, East Asia and the Pacific. Yet, research investments and evidence availability...
25 June 2025
Strengthening the health system response to population ageing in Pacific Island countries: policy brief
This policy brief examines the growing challenges and opportunities associated with population ageing in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs),...
26 September 2024
Analysis of policies to address health inequity among migrant populations during the COVID-19 pandemic...
This policy brief examines the health inequities experienced by migrant workers in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights...
3 August 2022
Digital health and universal health coverage: opportunities and policy considerations for Pacific Island...
The emergence of digital health tools offer opportunities to complement and support the health system in the delivery of health services, especially in...
14 July 2022
Integrated care for tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) comorbidity in Asian countries: health...
The dual burden of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a major global public health concern and a critical public health challenge...
5 December 2021
Use of e-health programmes to deliver urban primary health-care services for noncommunicable diseases...
The widespread availability and use of information and communications technology tools offer the potential of transforming health promotion and health...
Health system constraints and the small and dispersed population of the Pacific Island Countries make it a challenge to meet the demand for specialized...
21 October 2019
Strengthening primary health care for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic disease in low-...
Primary health care is a critical component in the fight against NCDs, especially cardiometabolic diseases which represent the largest disease burden among...
12 September 2019
ASEAN mutual recognition arrangements for doctors, dentists and nurses
The ASEAN mutual recognition arrangements aim to facilitate the flow of foreign professionals in the region. By 2009, MRAs for health professionals within...
5 July 2019
Use of community health workers to manage and prevent noncommunicable diseases: policy options based...
As burden of NCDs increases, new and innovative modes of managing them in primary healthcare and community settings are being investigated by various countries....
5 July 2019
Strategies to strengthen referral from primary care to secondary care in low- and middle-income countries
Primary care is seen as the main way for achieving UHC in many countries. Creating an essential package of services and bringing those services nearer...
28 May 2018
Attraction and Retention of Rural Primary Health-care Workers in the Asia Pacific Region
Maldistribution of Health-care workers is a serious concern in the Asia Pacific Region, which results in poor availability of health services and negative...
Health technology assessment (HTA) is an important priority setting process for countries that are working to achieve Universal Health Care. In settings...
17 November 2015
The challenge of extending universal coverage to non-poor informal workers in low- and middle-income...
While many governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia have begun to implement social health insurance for the formally employed, many...
27 July 2015
Strengthening Vital Statistics Systems
Access to timely evidence-based information on trends in diseases, injuries and risk factors, and on the performance of the health system, is crucial for...
17 July 2015
Quality of care : what are effective policy options for governments in low and middle income countries...
Quality of Care (QoC) has been recognized as a key objective of health systems performance necessary to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-countries...
25 September 2014
Purchasing arrangements with the private sector to provide primary health care in underserved areas
Ensuring an equitable supply of primary health care services to entire populations is a challenge for governments of low- and middle-income countries in...
3 December 2013
Direct Household Payments for Health Services in Asia and the Pacific: Impact and Policy Options
Many low- and middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific rely heavily on user fees and other direct household payments to fund health services. Such...
26 September 2013
Dual practice by health workers in South and East Asia
The latest policy brief released by the APO, Dual Practice by Health Workers in South and East Asia explores the policy implications of dual practice. In...