Será que a Organização Mundial de Saúde se encontra a influenciar o discurso ciêntifico sobre as doenças não comunicantes (ex: diabetes)? De que forma a diplomacia global e a ciência encaram estas doenças?

As respostas a estas questões tentaram ser respondidas através deste artigo da investigadora Cátia Miriam Costa, do CEI-Iscte. O artigo foi publicado no International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, em co-autoria com Ana Teresa Santos, Luísa Delgado-Márquez e Raquel Maria Banheiro.

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) present a major public health challenge, prompting their inclusion in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented various initiatives, including a comprehensive monitoring framework with global targets and indicators. However, the extent to which these initiatives have shaped the scientific discourse remains unclear. This article addresses this knowledge gap through a two-fold approach. Firstly, a bibliometric analysis of 14,187 studies spanning over 60 years is conducted, identifying key contributors and trends. Secondly, the content analysis compares these trends to the goals established by the WHO. The findings indicate that the WHO initiatives have accelerated scientific research, and elevated global targets and indicators as central themes in scholarly discussions, since 2011. This study takes an innovative approach that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in this field, by providing valuable insights into the impact of WHO initiatives on the scientific debate surrounding NCDs, and offering guidance for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders engaged in combating these diseases.

Keywords:  non-communicable diseases; bibliometrics; discourse analysis; United Nations; World Health Organization; health diplomacy