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ECONOMIC RESEARCH Quantifying the social gains and economic impact of LF elimination and identifying cost-effective solutions to elimination and treatment. The LF Support Center conducts research to capture in quantitative terms the social and economic burden of disease and the cost effectiveness of LF elimination programs. The LF Support Center assists countries to identify the most cost-effective delivery strategies for both prevention and disease management programs and to forecast future resource needs to maintain programs and scale up. The LF Support Center provides training, financial support and technical assistance in economic evaluation to program managers and local researchers.		.
Ongoing Activities The LF Support Center has developed a generic protocol for countries wanting to conduct cost analyses of MDA and treatment programs.  This protocol will aid countries in developing reliable estimates of cost per person covered or treated, projecting costs of national programs, and identifying external funding needs and potential funding sources. The protocol is located on our Resources page. The results from cost analyses of mass drug administration programs in seven countries (Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Philippines and Tanzania) are currently in the final stages.  Results will include total program cost, average cost per person treated and contribution by donor source.  More information to follow in early 2006! Quality of Life studies are being conducted in collaboration with CDC and national programs in Ghana, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Results from these studies will be published in 2006.

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TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL PROGRAMS

The LF Support Center, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offers model program development and technical support in key program areas:

Optimizing techniques for monitoring LF elimination programs and evaluating their success Integrating activities to stop the spread of LF with activities to ease and prevent disability Integrating LF elimination activities with those of other public health initiatives Using DEC-fortified salt as a principal intervention tool to eliminate LF, where appropriate

** For more information on elimination efforts in the Americas region and to link to profiles of programs in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Haiti, click here.  **

Ongoing Activities

• At the request of the WHO working group on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) issues, the Atlanta Monitoring & Evaluation subgroup convened in February 2003.  They presented four working papers to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), on coverage, stopping mass drug administration, verifying the absence of transmission, and applied research needs.  To read the executive summary of the meeting, click here.
• The Atlanta subgroup is field testing the proposed protocols in conjunction with the national program in Ghana.  Their recommendations will be considered by TAG for possible revision of the Global Programme guidelines, currently located on the WHO website.
• Work is also being done on disability program indicators and framework, post-MDA surveillance protocol, and DEC-fortified salt program M&E guidelines.

Operational Research efforts focus on:

• Alternative techniques for monitoring and evaluating programs
• Behavioral research to ensure community compliance
• Outcomes research in clinical management
• Diagnostic tools and approaches essential for program monitoring and assessment
• Program integration with related public health activities

Ongoing Activities

In December 2003, a forum was convened in Philadelphia to identify clearly and prioritize research needs relating to lymphatic filariasis.  The forum reviewed ongoing filariasis research, identified promising research opportunities not currently addressed and provided the basis of a strategic plan for LF research. 

The final report from this meeting titled "Towards a Strategic Plan for Research to Support the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis" was published as a supplement in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in November 2004.  Click here to access the PDF report.

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TARGETED TRAINING Sharing the expertise. Capacity building in program management and public health leadership increases the impact of the LF elimination program and helps ensure its sustainability. Training activities focus on: Financial accounting and program costing Clinical and public health management of lymphedema and hydrocele Monitoring and evaluation skills for national programs Local fundraising skills ADVOCACY AND FUNDRAISING Highlighting the social and economic impact of LF elimination. The LF Support Center is actively involved in developing materials that illustrate the social and economic impact of the disease as well as the success of the LF elimination program. Global Alliance partners use these materials to raise funds for this vitally important public health initiative.  View the English brochure and fourfold, or the French brochure and fourfold.

The LF Support Center serves as the secretariat for efforts to increase awareness of the Global Alliance and to raise funds within North America.  Since March 2002, Pam Wuichet of Project Resource Group, has been engaged as a fundraising consultant to identify potential donors and strategies for approaching donors for the GAELF. 

The Global Alliance is part of a neglected disease coalition convened through the Global Health Council, aimed towards raising awareness (and resources) for programs targeting a set of rapid impact diseases that include LF, trachoma, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, soil transmitted helminths, and leprosy.  On June 10th, a congressional briefing was held for Senate and House staff, entitled "Ancient Afflictions: Addressing Biblical Diseases in Today's Societies."  For the overview presentation, click here.  For the presentation on disease integration, click here.  For the presentation on public-private partnerships, click here.

A Fundraising and Advocacy Toolkit is now available in English and French on our Resources page.  Download documents, journal articles, and pictures about LF, the global program, advocacy strategies, and fundraising methods.