Brazzaville, 2 September, 2016 – A toolkit aimed at helping both health and non-health professionals to better address the root causes of what makes people sick or healthy has been launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region.

Titled ‘The Action Toolkit for Social Determinants of Health (SDH) in the African Region, the toolkit, is a practical online resource, which aims to strengthen learning and problem-solving skills to address a wide range of public health concerns. It was developed in collaboration with the University of Kansas (USA), a WHO Collaborating Center for Community Health and Development.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Davidson Munodawafa, Programme Manager for Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, said:” As countries across the Region address the health risk factors and their determinants as part of the SDGs - Agenda 2030, this Action Tool Kit is being introduced as a just-on-time resource for policy makers, NGOs, academics and communities to be able to respond to any public health issue using learning and problem solving skills contained in the framework.”

Built around an implementation framework, the toolkit describes ways to:  Mobilize, Assess, Plan, Act, Evaluate and Sustain actions. It also contains key questions to consider, core activities, field notes and required resources for taking action.  

“This Action Tool Kit should be seen as a bridge between the guidance role of WHO on policies and strategies, and the need for practical skills for tackling problems at the health systems level where individuals, households and communities live, work and grow,” said Professor Steven Fawcett of University of Kansas, WHO Collaborating Center for Community Health and Development.

The Action Tool Kit can be accessed at http://sdhaction-afro.org or by going to www.google.com and search for action tool kit for sdh. The Tool Kit can also be uploaded to the desktop or your mobile phone. For additional information on the AFRO Action Tool Kit, please contact; Professor Davison Munodawafa ( munodawafad [at] who.int) or Mr Peter Phori ( phorip [at] who.int).

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For more information, please contact: 

Professor Davidson Munodawafa, Programme Manager-HP& SDH, Munodawafad [at] who.int   Tel +47-241-39476

C. Boakye-Agyemang, Regional Communications Adviser:   Boakyeagyemangc [at] who.int Tel +47-241-39420