COVID-19 Vaccine, Asymptomatic Cases, Risk Communication and Community Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa

African region will probably be the last region in COVID-19 vaccine uptake. But that shouldn’t be a problematic issue if the emphasis is maintained on the role Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) can play in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic through the adoption of preventive measures. We used the issue of asymptomatic cases to illustrate the importance that should still be given to preventive measures such as hand washing, mask wearing, physical and social distancing, knowing that vaccines have never been 100% effective. Also with the issue of variants in COVID-19, the vaccine couldn’t be considered as a panacea. Lessons from the Nordic countries are strong arguments to put emphasis on preventive measures in the region.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Brand Community Engagement:Dual Mediating Roleof Brand and Community Identifications in the Chinese Decor Industry

Despite a plethora of studies on how corporate social responsibility(CSR)generates favorable consumer outcomes,the existing literature provides limited insights about how CSR may affect inter-consumer connection and brand community engagement.Enhancing consumer engagement in the brand community is one of the key marketing objectives for strengthening the brand-consumer relationship.This study aims to explore the role of corporate social responsibility in enhancing brand community engagement and examines the dual mediating role of brand identification and community identification.Quantitative research was conducted and an adapted questionnaire was used.Survey data were collected from 405 Chinese consumers,and structural equational modeling was used to test the hypothesis.Results demonstrated that CSR motivates consumers to engage with the brand community.Further,brand identification and community identification perform the role of partial mediators.

Rationale for Decision-Making Processes in Enhancement of Community Participation for Sustainable Mangrove Management in Lamu, Kenya

Decision-making is the process of deciding between two or more options in order to take the most appropriate and successful course of action in order to achieve sustainable mangrove management. However, the distinctiveness of mangrove as an ecosystem, and thus the attendant socio-economic and governance ramifications, causes the idea of decision making to become relatively distinct from other decision making process As a result, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact that community engagement plays in the decision-making process as it relates to the establishment of governance norms for sustainable mangrove management in Lamu County. In this study, a correlational research design was applied, and the researchers employed a mixed techniques approach. The target population was 296 respondents. The research used questionnaires and interviews to collect data. A descriptive statistical technique was utilized to perform an inspection and analysis on the data that was gathered. The findings indicated that having awareness about governance standards is beneficial during the process of making decisions. In addition, the findings demonstrated that respondents had the impression that the decision-making process was not done properly. On the other hand, the participants pointed out the positive aspects of the decision-making process and agreed that the participation of both gender was essential for the sustainable management of mangroves. Based on these data, it appeared that full community engagement in decision-making is necessary for sustainable management of mangrove forests.

Sport Participation and Community Capacity Building in Disadvantaged Urban Communities

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between sport and community by examining the role played by sports participation in community engagement and community capacity building in disadvantaged urban communities.From a conceptual standpoint,the study is based on the sociological theory of the community and Community Capacity Building(CCB)theory,which provide overviews of the concept of community and community capacity and its characteristics.Four disadvantaged urban communities were investigated.Two of these communities had sports programs,while the other two did not.The online questionnaire methodology was adopted to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and community engagement of the participants(knowledge of programs and participation in community activities),and subsequently,an analysis of the online social media narratives of the community members themselves was developed to measure the characteristics of their community capacity building.We found that community engagement and community capacity values were higher in the communities with sports programs.These findings are promising and suggest that approaches based on sports participation development could be fruitful,particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Community-level survey of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures in Kwara State, Nigeria: good knowledge vs poor attitude

Background:The public knowledge and adherence to the established coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)precautionary measures are crucial to Nigeria’s war against the pandemic.Public health education on its preventive practices at the grassroots level was initially crucial to achieving a lower COVID-19 incidence in Kwara State,Nigeria.Methods:We assessed the knowledge of,and adherence to COVID-19 precautionary measures at the community level among 795 respondents from the three senatorial zones of Kwara State.Results:54.5%(433/795)of the respondents were aged between 21 and 40 years,and 45.9%(365/795)of the respondents had a bachelor’s degree or higher.Study participants had a good knowledge of COVID-19,its symptoms,and its mode of transmission.91.8%of the respondents(730/795)had a positive perception of the COVID19 preventive measures while 96.1%(763/795)of the respondents agreed that maintaining social distance was important in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.However,only 38%(302/795)of them used face masks and only 25.7%(204/795)of the respondents used hand sanitizers.In addition,only 31.9%(253/795)of the respondents isolated themselves when they were ill.Multi-variable logistic regression analysis revealed that education,occupation,gender,and ethnicity were significantly associated with positive COVID-19 preventive practices among residents of Kwara State.Civil servants were more likely(AOR:3.14;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.67 to 14.82;P=0.034)to have positive preventive attitudes than other respondents.Study participants with tertiary education and those that were Yoruba(ethnicity)were 14.81 times more likely(95%CI:4.29 to 51.05;P=0.001)and 5.19 times more likely(95%CI:1.82 to 14.84;P=0.007)to have positive attitudes towards the laid-down COVID-19 preventive measures respectively.Conclusion:The poor community adherence to the COVID-19 preventive practices could pre-dispose Kwara to more COVID-19 cases.More community engagement activities are needed to fully curb the spread of the COVID19.Public health education should focus on preventive measures,vaccine acceptance,and community monitoring of COVID-19.

English Christmas Pantomime： Theatre or Community Activism

How is English Christmas panto community activism？ The structure of pantomime has not changed in a hundred years, but allows for local creativity to work within its framework to be both family entertainment and social satire This basic structure is founded on a children＇s story like Puss ＇n ＇boots or Cinderella. The story and character types remain the same; but the community can add their own jokes and commentary to make the play relevant to themselves and their community. What is added by the community says a lot about who they are and what they care about. The company Price-Waterhouse-Coopers produces their pantomime as management training and team building while engaging the community. The Basel Swiss panto raises money for African Charities. The Maplewood, NJ panto raises money for the homeless and the Jaguar Charity panto in Birmingham performs to disadvantaged children and adults. The productions can be extravagant or threadbare, but share the same goal of raising cheer and goodwill to the benefit of the community. What is it, then, about panto that brings a community together in such civic mindedness？

Randomized intervention to assess the effectiveness of an educational video on organ donation intent among Hispanics in the New York metropolitan area

BACKGROUND The Hispanic community has a high demand for organ donation but a shortage of donors.Studies investigating factors that could promote or hinder organ donation have examined emotional video interventions.Factors acting as barriers to organ donation registration have been classified as:(1)Bodily integrity;(2)medical mistrust;(3)“ick”-feelings of disgust towards organ donation;and(4)“jinx”-fear that registration may result in one dying due to premeditated plans.We predict that by providing necessary information and education about the donation process via a short video,individuals will be more willing to register as organ donors.AIM To determine perceptions and attitudes regarding barriers and facilitators to organ donation intention among Hispanic residents in the New York metropolitan area.METHODS This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Northwell Health.The approval reference number is No.19-0009(as presented in Supplementary material).Eligible participants included Hispanic New York City(NYC)residents,18 years of age and above,who were recruited voluntarily through Cloud Research and participated in a larger randomized survey study of NYC residents.The survey an 85-item Redcap survey measured participant demographics,attitudes,and knowledge of organ donation as well as the intention to register as an organ donor.Attention checks were implemented throughout the survey,and responses were excluded for those who did fail.Participants were randomly assigned two-between subject conditions:To view a short video on organ donation and then proceed to complete the survey(i.e.,video first)and view the same video at the end of the survey(video last).No intra-group activities were conducted.This study utilized an evidenced-based emotive educational intervention(video)which was previously utilized and was shown to increase organ donation registration rates at the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles.Results were analyzed using Jamovi statistical software.Three hundred sixty-five Hispanic individuals were included in the analysis.Once consent was obtained and participants entered the survey(the survey sample is presented in Supplementary material),participants were asked to report on demographic variables and their general impression of organ donation after death.The video depicted stories regarding organ donation after death from various viewpoints,including from the loved ones of a deceased person who died waiting for a transplant;from the loved ones of a deceased person whose organs were donated upon death;and,from those who were currently waiting for a transplant.RESULTS Using a binomial logistic regression,the analysis provides information about the relationship between the effects of an emotive video and the intention to donate among Hispanic participants who were not already registered as donors.The willingness to go back and register was found to be significantly more probable for those who watched the emotive video before being asked about their organ donation opinions(odds ratio:2.05,95%confidence interval:1.06-3.97).Motivations for participation in organ donation were also captured with many stating the importance of messages coming from“people like me”and a message that highlights“the welfare of those in need”.Overall,the findings suggest that using an emotive video that addresses organ donation barriers to prompt organ donation intentions can be effective among the Hispanic populous.Future studies should explore using targeted messaging that resonates with specific cultural groups,highlighting the welfare of others.CONCLUSION This study suggests that an emotive educational intervention is likely to be effective in improving organ donation registration intent among the Hispanic population residing in NYC.

High prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis B and C in Minnesota Somalis contributes to rising hepatocellular carcinoma incidence

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)infections are known risk factors for liver disease,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).There is substantial global variation in HBV and HCV prevalence resulting in variations in cirrhosis and HCC.We previously reported high prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in Somali immigrants seen at an academic medical center in Minnesota.AIM To determine the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in Somali immigrants in Minnesota through a community-based screening program.METHODS We conducted a prospective community-based participatory research study in the Somali community in Minnesota in partnership with community advisory boards,community clinics and local mosques between November 2010 and December 2015(data was analyzed in 2020).Serum was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen,hepatitis B core antibody,hepatitis B surface antibody and anti-HCV antibody.RESULTS Of 779 participants,15.4%tested positive for chronic HBV infection,50.2%for prior exposure to HBV and 7.6%for chronic HCV infection.Calculated age-adjusted frequencies in males and females for chronic HBV were 12.5%and 11.6%;for prior exposure to HBV were 44.8%and 41.3%;and for chronic HCV were 6.7%and 5.7%,respectively.Seven participants developed incident HCC during follow up.CONCLUSION Chronic HBV and HCV are major risk factors for liver disease and HCC among Somali immigrants,with prevalence of both infections substantially higher than in the general United States population.Community-based screening is essential for identifying and providing health education and linkage to care for diagnosed patients.

The Conservational Role of Qur’anic Botanic Garden of Medicinal,Desert and Tropical Plants in Qatar

The scientific program of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden(QBG)is concerning with agricultural,conservational,biotechnology and medicinal fields.The QBG not only focusing on the study of the plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith,but also the endogenous plants of the Flora of Qatar and potential medicinal plants of the Arabic world.In the Hadith,the Prophet’s sayings,there are more than 20 plants mentioned in the occasions of cosmetic or medicinal uses.The garden is conserving special kinds of plants collected from different parts of the world to be restored at one place for preservation and study purposes.Both ex-situ and in-situ conservational programs are designed to collect and conserve plants inside and outside their natural habitats.The QBG plant nursery,herbarium,and seeds units are main components of the QBG that build to produce and preserve the plants at QBG.More than 59 plant spices are preserved from three different geographical zones:desert,Mediterranean and tropical zones.The Garden also is collecting and preserving those traditional entities from the entire world in order to be exhibited in the Botanic Museum of the QBG.By following the Islamic principles of conservation,the QBG highlights these conservational ethics and explains them for all people.Garden emphasizes multi-activities,campaigns,events,fairs and exhibitions for the students and public in order to encourage people to preserve the natural resources through an ordinately oriented educational program which is based on plant conservation.Another side of QBG’s conservation roles is the conservation based on community engagement and education.QBG’s education programs,horticulture and conservation programs,dissemination activities,and partnerships are fundamental in ensuring the transfer of this knowledge to the global community.

Strengthening Weak Healthcare Systems for Maternal and Neonatal Care in Low and Middle Income Countries: The Missing Link

Introduction: Preventable maternal and newborn mortalities still occur in local communities in Kenya since access to maternal and newborn healthcare services remains a big challenge. Barriers to access in resource-constrained settings have not been examined adequately in literature. The World Health Organization (WHO) has 6 building blocks for strengthening healthcare systems that informed this study. This paper examines how user-side and institutional factors influence access and use of Maternal and Newborn Healthcare (MNH) Services in Matayos sub-County-Busia County. Methods: A mixed method approach, with an ethnographic inquiry and a descriptive cross-sectional design, was adopted to assess access to MNH services in Matayos-Busia County, Western Kenya. Postpartum women who had delivered within the previous 12 months and health care providers in the study area were recruited as respondents. A total of 348 postpartum women were selected through stratified systematic random sampling for the survey. Purposive sampling was used to select postpartum women, conventional and traditional health care providers for 16 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data analysis was done thematically. Results: Institutional delivery was low at 68% and family planning at 75% although demand for services was high at 99%. User-side barriers to access included shared beliefs and practices in the community;high direct transport costs from home;and high costs for missing drugs and other supplies in hospitals. Middle (5th-7th) order deliveries occurred at home with traditional birth attendants. The choice of place of delivery in households was influenced by spouses to respondents and communities of residence where respondents lived or were married. All 6 WHO health system building blocks were weak in Matayos sub-County and needed system-wide strengthening involving all pillars. The user-community voice alone was insufficient and the 7th pillar for user-community engagement was absent. The underlying factors were weak governance and underfunding for healthcare. Conclusion: The six WHO building blocks were inadequate due to weak governance and inadequate funding. User-community engagement, the 7th Pillar, was absent in these resource-limited settings. We recommend user-community empowerment, engagement and participation, adoption of a system thinking approach and adequate funding.

An Investigation of Samoan Student Experiences in Two Homework Study Groups in Melbourne

This research examines Samoan student experiences in two Homework Study Groups （HSGs） in Melbourne using a researcher-practitioner approach. It highlights that school teachers need to acknowledge students＇ preferred learning methods, especially those of minority backgrounds like the Samoan participants in this investigation. A detailed exploration of the experiences of students in two HSGs finds that while students and their families place a high priority on learning, their cultural practices are not compatible with standard Western learning approaches. The HSGs provided a social space in which students could ask the teacher questions without fear of appearing foolish, in which they could apply themselves to study. It provided a physical study space away from the demands some Samoan families place on their young people, and it provided a cultural space in which the students could learn according to fa＇aSamoa （traditional values and beliefs）. This research makes a contribution to an understanding of the motivations of Melbourne-based Samoan students to learn, of what concerns them, and of impediments to their educational success. It also offers insight into the benefits that set up a specific space for students offers, when its specific intent is influencing the merging of Samoan and Western ideas to further learning.

A practical community-based response strategy to interrupt Ebola transmission in sierra Leone, 2014–2015

Background:The Ebola virus disease spread rapidly in West Africa in 2014,leading to the loss of thousands of lives.Community engagement was one of the key strategies to interrupt Ebola transmission,and practical community level measures needed to be explored in the field and tailored to the specific context of communities.Methods:First,community-level education on Ebola virus disease(EVD)prevention was launched for the community’s social mobilizers in six districts in Sierra Leone beginning in November 2014.Then,from January to May of 2015,in three pilot communities,local trained community members were organized to engage in implementation of EVD prevention and transmission interruption measures,by involving them in alert case report,contact tracing,and social mobilization.The epidemiological indicators of transmission interruption in three study communities were evaluated.Results:A total of 6016 community social mobilizers from 185 wards were trained by holding 279 workshops in the six districts,and EVD message reached an estimated 631680 residents.In three pilot communities,72 EVD alert cases were reported,with 70.8%of them detected by trained local community members,and 14 EVD cases were finally identified.Contact tracing detected 64.3%of EVD cases.The median duration of community infectivity for the cases was 1 day.The secondary attack rate was 4.2%,and no third generation of infection was triggered.No health worker was infected,and no unsafe burial and noncompliance to EVD control measures were recorded.The community-based measures were modeled to reduce 77 EVD cases,and the EVD-free goal was achieved four months earlier in study communities than whole country of Sierra Leone.Conclusions: The community-based strategy of social mobilization and community engagement was effective in casedetection and reducing the extent of Ebola transmission in a country with weak health system. The successfullypractical experience to reduce the risk of Ebola transmission in the community with poor resources would potentiallybe helpful for the global community to fight against the EVD and the other diseases in the future.

Taking FAIR on the ChIN:The Chemistry Implementation Network

The Chemistry Implementation Network(ChIN)is focused on supporting the FAIR Data needs of the research community regarding chemical related data.An Implementation Network is a consortium drawn from a community,in this case the chemistry discipline,committed to defining and constructing standards,materials and software in the spirit of the FAIR data principles and under the structure of the GO FAIR project.Furthermore,as a core science the ChIN has to reach beyond the chemistry community and support the use of chemical information in other disciplines.This will be facilitated through connections in the GO FAIR ecosystem of Implementation Networks.Examples of the FAIR chemical concepts that need to be supported include molecular and materials structures,chemical reactions,nomenclature and other chemical terminology and conventions.The ChIN aims to drive forward the application of the FAIR Data Principles relating to the full range of chemistry concepts that are key to the transparent and efficient communication of chemical information.Realizing the goal of FAIR chemistry data will require a culture change across the discipline.However this is best addressed once a critical mass of tools and approaches has been developed.

The role of multilateral organizations and governments in advancing social innovation in health care delivery

Background:Despite great medical advances and scientific progress over the past century,one billion people globally still lack access to basic health care services.In the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development social innovation models aim to provide effective solutions that bridge the health care delivery gap,address equity and create social value.This commentary highlights the roles of multilateral organizations and governments in creating an enabling environment where social innovations can more effectively integrate into health systems to maximize their impact on beneficiaries.Main text:The integration of social innovations into health systems is essential to ensure their sustainability and the wide dissemination of their impact.Effective partnerships,strong engagement with and endorsement by governments and communities,regulations,trust and sometimes willingness are key factors to enhance system integration,replication and dissemination of the models.Three examples of social innovations selected by the Social Innovation in Health Initiative illustrate the importance of engaging with governments and communities in order to link,integrate and synergize their efforts.Key challenges that they encountered,and lessons learnt are highlighted.Multilateral organizations and governments increasingly engage in promoting and supporting the development,testing and dissemination of social innovations to address the health care delivery gap.They play an important role in creating an enabling environment.This includes promoting the concept of social innovation in health care delivery,spreading social innovation approach and lessons learnt,fostering partnerships and leveraging resources,convening communities,health system actors and various stakeholders to work together across disciplines and sectors,and nurturing capacity in countries.Conclusions:Multilateral organizations and local and national governments have a critical role to play in creating an enabling environment where social innovations can flourish.In supporting and disseminating social innovation approach,multilateral organizations and governments have a great opportunity to accelerate Universal Health Coverage and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Determinants of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in hotspots at the late stage of elimination in Egypt

Background In certain settings,the prevalence and severity of schistosoma infection do not lessen despite repeated rounds of preventative chemotherapy;these areas are known as hotspots.This study aimed to investigate the role of human practices,besides environmental and malacological factors,in the maintenance of the Schistosoma mansoni infection transmission chain in hotspot areas in Egypt.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2019 in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate,Egypt.A pre-designed structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect humanitarian data.Stool samples were collected from children aged 6–15 years on three successive days and examined using the Kato-Katz technique.Simultaneously,water and snail samples were taken from watercourses surrounding houses.Snails were identified based on their shell morphology and structure and tested for cercaria shedding.Water samples were analyzed for their physicochemical and biological characteristics.Results A total of 2259 fecal samples(1113 in summer and 1146 in fall)were collected from 861 children.About 46.9%of the participants were males,and 31.8%were aged 6–10 years.The prevalence of S.mansoni infection was higher during the summer than during the fall(19.1%vs 7.2%,respectively,P<0.01).The intensity of infection(light,moderate,and heavy)during summer versus fall was(93.55 vs 89.38%,6.45 vs 8.85%,and 0.00%vs 1.77%),respectively(P<0.05).A higher prevalence of human infection was observed among males than females[OR=1.63,95%confidence interval(CI):1.10–2.40,P=0.015],children aged 11–15 years than among their counterparts aged 6–10 years(OR=2.96,95%CI:1.72–5.06,P<0.001),and mothers with a low level of education(OR=3.33,95%CI:1.70–6.52,P<0.001).The main identified risk factors were contacting the main body of water-canal for washing clothes(OR=1.81,95%CI:1.12–2.49,P=0.015),land irrigation(OR=2.56,95%CI:1.32–4.96,P=0.004),water collection(OR=2.94,95%CI:1.82–4.73,P<0.001),bathing(OR=2.34,95%CI:1.21–4.31,P=0.009),and garbage disposal(OR=2.38,95%CI:1.38–4.12,P<0.001).The count of Biomphalaria alexandrina was distinct between seasons(P<0.01)in consistent with statistically significant differences in water temperature,salinity,turbidity,the total concentration of coliforms,depth,velocity,and water level(P<0.01).The presence of grasses and duckweeds was significantly associated with snail infection(P=0.00 l).Significant effects of water depth,pH,temperature,and total dissolved solids on snail count were also observed(P<0.05).Conclusions The persistence of the infection is due to adoption of risky behaviors and environmental factors thatenhance snail survival and infection. Schistosomiasis elimination in hotspots requires an integrated control approachthat combines preventive chemotherapy with other complementary measures.

Researching social innovation:is the tail wagging the dog?

Background:Social Innovation in health initiatives have the potential to address unmet community health needs.For sustainable change to occur,we need to understand how and why a given intervention is effective.Bringing together communities,innovators,researchers,and policy makers is a powerful way to address this knowledge gap but differing priorities and epistemological backgrounds can make collaboration challenging.Main text:To overcome these barriers,stakeholders will need to design policies and work in ways that provide an enabling environment for innovative products and services.Inherently about people,the incorporation of community engagement approaches is necessary for both the development of social innovations and accompanying research methodologies.Whilst the'appropriate'level of participation is linked to intended outcomes,researchers have a role to play in better understanding how to harness the power of community engagement and to ensure that community perspectives form part of the evidence base that informs policy and practice.Conclusions:To effectively operate at the intersection between policy,social innovation,and research,all collaborators need to enter the process with the mindset of learners,rather than experts.Methods-quantitative and qualitative-must be selected according to research questions.The fields of implementation research,community-based participatory research,and realist research,amongst others,have much to offer.So do other sectors,notably education and business.In all this,researchers must assume the mantel of responsibility for research and not transfer the onus to communities under the guise of participation.By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of different ecosystem actors,we can design responsive health systems that integrate innovative approaches in ways that are greater than the sum of their parts.

Neglected tropical diseases:exploring long term practical approaches to achieve sustainable disease elimination and beyond

Background:Remarkable progress has been made in the fight against neglected tropical diseases,but new challenges have emerged.Innovative diagnostics,better drugs and new insecticides are often identified as the priority;however,access to these new tools may not be sufficient to achieve and sustain disease elimination,if certain challenges and priorities are not considered.Main body:The authors summarise key operational challenges,and based on these,identify two major priorities:strengthening the capacity of the primary health care health system in correctly diagnosing and managing neglected tropical diseases;and establishing an effective disease surveillance process.Five steps are proposed as concrete actions to build an effective primary health care service for neglected tropical diseases,and a health management information system capable of accurately reporting these diseases.Community engagement and formalization of community health workers role are proposed as essential components of these steps.Shift of financial support from disease oriented programmes to disease integrated interventions,improved access to international guidelines for primary health care staff,and availability of donated drugs in health care structures are also suggested as key elements of the proposed process.Conclusion:The authors conclude that failure to address these priorities now may lead to further challenges on the long path towards neglected tropical disease elimination and beyond.

Social innovation for health: engaging communities to address infectious diseases

Universal health coverage emphasises the value of the community-based delivery of health services to ensure that underserved populations have access to care.In areas where infectious diseases are endemic,there are often few resources and limited capacity,and the introduction of effective and accessible strategies require innovation.In this special issue,the contributing authors emphasise the power of local responses to the circumstances that underpin diseases of poverty,and highlight the methodological and programme innovations necessary to support and sustain these responses.Through case studies,the authors illustrate how social innovations can address health inequities,and they identify the role of academics in the Social Innovation in Health Initiative to support this approach.

What if communities held the solutions for universal health coverage?

This commentary highlights the value of community-engaged social innovations to advance health care delivery in low-and middle-income countries and to accelerate universal health coverage.It emphasizes the importance of research to guide the innovators on what works,what does not work to make their innovations sustainable and to replicate and scale them up as relevant.It also helps to demonstrate impact and to enhance uptake within the health systems.