Intersectorality in social and health care: promoting integrated policies for care-dependent older people in Brazil

Lead Research Organisation: University of East Anglia
Department Name: International Development

Abstract

This project will extend the impact of a current project funded by MRC/CONFAP. Key objectives of that project include
(1) evaluation of a novel integrated health and social care intervention for older people in Belo Horizonte (BH), Brazil:
Programa Maior Cuidado (PMC).
(2) feasibility study for a similar intervention in the city of Fortaleza (FZ) (to demonstrate potential policy transfer).
(3) close engagement with local/national stakeholders.
These objectives are ahead of schedule and we did not anticipate the speed or degree of policy-maker uptake of our initial
research. Based on our evaluation, BH municipality has committed to extend and modify PMC. FZ funded a feasibility
study, completed in June 2019 and the State of Ceará (which includes FZ) have provided about £2million for related
intervention, to be developed and evaluated in partnership with us. Other municipalities have requested our support for
similar interventions. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) now sees PMC as a model of good practice and is working
with us to extend its implementation.
This has created new impact opportunities, some of which require further funding. Activities specific to FZ and Ceará will be
funded by the Brazilian government. We are seeking NFIS funds for:
(1) Monitoring and evaluation of the extension and reform of PMC in BH. This will provide additional evidence of our
influence. It permits a baseline in the new districts, which will add robustness to our evaluations.
(2) We have selected one new municipality (Contagem), to pilot a new model for supporting PMC-type interventions. It will
entail less direct interaction with the core project team and will support the development of an online knowledge hub. This
hub will later serve as a resource for other interested municipalities.
(3) Additional collaboration with FMoH to disseminate good practice.
(4) Further international engagement: using the Brazilian experience as a reference point for other countries.

We are seeking NFIS funds for:
(1) Monitoring and evaluation of the extension and reform of PMC in BH. This will provide additional evidence of our influence. It permits a baseline in the new districts, which will add robustness to our evaluations.
(2) We have selected one new municipality (Contagem), to pilot a new model for supporting PMC-type interventions. It will entail less direct interaction with the core project team and will support the development of an online knowledge hub. This hub will later serve as a resource for other interested municipalities.
(3) Additional collaboration with FMoH to disseminate good practice.
(4) Further international engagement: using the Brazilian experience as a reference point for other countries.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description We have evaluated interventions for older people in Brazil and demonstrated a range of positive effects on outcomes of interest, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Exploitation Route We are now working with the Brazilian national ministry of health and global stakeholders, such as WHO
Sectors Healthcare

 
Description Our research supported the development, enhancement and evaluation of an intervention for health and social care for poor older people in Brazil, in the city of Belo Horizonte. We have shared this with the federal government who have no approved funding of around £400,000 to extend the intervention to other parts of the country, with a view to possible national roll-out in the future.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Healthcare
Impact Types Policy & public services

 
Description New interventions for older people in Brazil
Geographic Reach South America 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or Improved professional practice
Impact Our research supported the development, enhancement and evaluation of an intervention for health and social care for poor older people in Brazil, in the city of Belo Horizonte. We have shared this with the federal government who have no approved funding of around £400,000 to extend the intervention to other parts of the country, with a view to possible national roll-out in the future.
 
Description Funding and support from Brazil State Government of Ceara 
Organisation Federal University of Ceara
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaborative development of a new intervention for integrated health and social care
Collaborator Contribution Collaborative development of a new intervention for integrated health and social care for older people. This was initiated in 2019 and was due to launch in early 2020. The intervention has been postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our state collaborating agencies.
Impact Intervention ongoing
Start Year 2019