[Shared][MM24] Policy proposals

	A	B
1	Name of the Policy	Description + Keywords
2

3	Student Mobility	The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) runs the largest student- run medical exchange program worldwide for more than 70 years, allowing more than 15 thousand medical students, each year, to embark on a journey to explore healthcare delivery and health systems in different cultural and social settings. This proposed policy of Students Mobility will be a renewal for the current one, as a review of the literature shows the existence of different barriers in the introduction of a coherent and comprehensive internationalized approach in the medical curriculum, from visa issues to the absence of structured or recognized programs, we do believe the importance of having a policy document on this topic.
4	Access to Medicines	This policy document was expired last March 2022. Access to medicines refers to the reasonable ability for people to get needed medicines required to achieve health. Such access is deemed to be part of the right to health as supported by international law since 1946. The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), believes that access to affordable, effective, and safe technologies is a human right. We believe that the current research and development (R&D) system lacks transparency and is driven by commercial interests rather than public health needs, which is in turn reducing the availability of affordable medicines. Moreover, we would navigate into the posibility of adding the emergent topic of stregthening clinical trials and the relation with access to medicines.
5	Road Safety and Health	This proposed Road Safety and Heath policy for MM24 addresses the critical intersection of road safety and public health, aiming to mitigate the global burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities while promoting overall well-being. With a focus on prevention, education, and advocacy, this policy seeks to engage governments, NGOs, stakeholders, other institutions and medical students worldwide in efforts to improve road safety, reduce accidents, and enhance healthcare responses to road traffic injuries. The policy is projected to encompass the intersection with SDGs, vulnerable populations, disparities in road safety worldwide, the socio-economical impact of road traffic injuries, the intersection with public transportation and air pollution, and the current legilslation and policies on the topic. Keywords: Road Safety; Road Traffic Injuries; Accident Prevention; Injury Mitigation; Healthcare Response; Road Safety Policy; Public Health; Community Health
6	Healthy Ageing and Life Course	This proposed Healthy Ageing and Life Course policy for MM24 emphasizes equitable access to healthcare, holistic health promotion, and comprehensive care that addresses the unique health needs of individuals as they progress through various life stages. This policy is aimed to advocate for a interdisciplinary approach to ensure that healthy ageing is achieved by adopting targeted interventions that address the vulnerabilities and challenges the ageing population is facing, by focusing on the vulnerabilities in ageing populations, the health systems approach, the socio-economic burden of ageing population, the interlinkage to the SDGs, and current policies and stakeholders approach. Keywords: Healthy Ageing; Age-Related Challenges; Quality of Life; Geriatric Health; Multigenerational Health; Social Inclusion; Equitable Healthcare; Preventive Measures
7	Universal Health Coverage (UHC)	The renewal of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy document is paramount in the post-pandemic recovery context, with COVID-19 highlighting the urgent need for adaptable and resilient healthcare systems. The renewal process aims to harness the data and insights gained from managing the crisis, ensuring UHC's responsiveness to future health emergencies. This crucial endeavor ensures that individuals and communities are shielded from the financial hardship of healthcare and addresses its interlinkage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, it underscores the significance of effective Health Systems Governance within the UHC framework, promoting robust decision-making and equitable healthcare access. It also aims to reaffirm our commitment to achieving the UHC 2030 strategy and the vision of leaving no one behind, solidifying an inclusive and sustainable healthcare future. Keywords: Universal Health Coverage; post-pandemic recovery; resilient healthcare systems; financial hardship; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Health Systems Governance; UHC 2030 strategy
8	Gender Equity	The Gender Equity policy proposed for MM24 aims to address the intersectional nature of gender equity, emphasing on the updated call-to-action based on newest evidence. It will expands on the ideas of gender equity from the perspective of global health, factors exacerbating gender inequity, and gender disparities in different education and workplace settings. The new policy will include new sections such as gender equity and SDGs, vulnerable populations, gender equity in the digital age, gender equity and post-pandemic recovery, IFMSA contributions. This policy will serve as important guides when it comes to external meetings such as the Commission on the Status of Women.
9	Pregnancy and Infant Health	Pregnancy and infant health have a profound impact on the well-being of both the mother and the child and have broader implications for society as a whole. This policy aims to explore on the aspect of the holistic health of the person being pregnancy, infant heath, reducing maternal and infant mortality, child development, and the wellbeing of the whole household. It also aims to explore the intrinsic links of these topics with SDGs and the achieved and upcoming milestones. Our call-to-action will call for the priorization and promotion of healthy pregnancies and early childhood development, infrastucture funding to improve the quality of life for mothers and children, and reduce their healthcare costs. Keywords: Maternal Health; Infant Health; Human Development; NCDs; Parental Leaves; Nutrition; Antenatal, Intranatal, and Postnatal Care; Breastfeeding
10	Gender Representation in Medical Curriculum and Research	This proposed Gender Representation in Medical Curriculum and Research to address the crucial aspect of ensuring that healthcare and medical treatments are equitable and effective for all individuals. It involves considering the differences and nuances related to sex and gender in the design, analysis, and reporting of medical education and research. It calls on medical education and research to examine how biological differences between males and females can impact disease risk, progression, and response to treatments and encourage the inclusion of non-cisgender men and women in clinical teaching and medical research. It calls on universities and researchers to consider how social and cultural factors related to gender can affect health outcomes, which may include differences in access to healthcare, risk behaviors, and the impact of gender identity on mental health. Keywords: Medical Education; Academic Research; Patient-centered care; Sex vs. Gender; Gender Equity; Transgender Health
11	Peace and Health	The proposed Peace and Health policy for MM24 is strategically crafted to address the complex and multifaceted challenges surrounding the pursuit of peace within the global health context. This policy rigorously examines the intricate dynamics of peace promotion in global health, with a distinct focus on the fundamental factors that contribute to lasting peace and equilibrium. It further delves into the far-reaching implications of promoting peace across various educational and professional environments. The policy encompasses other critical dimensions, including the role of peace in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), its influence on marginalized populations, its significance in post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation, and the active contributions of IFMSA to this pivotal initiative. Moreover, this will serve as an important advocacy tool for IFMSA in engagement opportunities as WHA especially as the 5th draft of the GHPI (Global Health and Peace Initiative) will be voted upon.
12	Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)	This proposed Antimicrobial Resistance policy for MM24 underscores the urgency of addressing AMR through a multidisciplinary, comprehensive and collaborative approach. It advocates for responsible utilization of antimicrobial agents, the enhancement of surveillance mechanisms, sustained investment in research, and development of novel antimicrobials, and the reinforcement of educational initiatives on AMR. This policy is aimed to highlight its causes, how to prevent its detrimental consequences, the interlinkage between AMR and health and non-health sectors, global disparities on antimicrobial use and resistances, vulnerable populations and current policies ans programmes on this issue. Please note that the previous version of the policy was adopted in AM21, and the decision to renew the policy for MM24 has taken into account the upcoming UN High Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in September 2024. Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Infectious Disease Control; Drug-Resistant Infections; Epidemiology Surveillance; One Health Approach
13	Fossil Fuel Divestment	This proposed Fossil Fuel Divestment policy for MM24 underscores the importance of divesting from fossil fuel investments to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect global health, by recognizing the urgent need to address the environmental and health consequences associated with the continued use of fossil fuels. This policy is aimed to align with the global call for action on sustainable and responsible investing and promotes the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. It will encompass the intersection with the SGDs, the environmental and health impact of fossil fuels, vulnerable populations and the global disparities in fossil fuel investment, the socio-economical burden of this energy source and climate finance. Keywords: Fossil Fuel Divestment; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Climate Action; Clean Energy Transition; Pollution Reduction; Health Impact; Environmental Health; Responsible Finance
14	Rural Health	This proposed Rural Health policy for MM24 aims to promote equitable healthcare access and quality for those living in rural regions, ensuring that its residents receive the same standard of care as their urban counterparts and the dispariaties in healthcare access, infrastructure, and resources are extinguished, for the benefit of the health and well-being of their residents. This policy will serve as an advocacy tool for the implementarion of policies, programmes and comprehensive strategies to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas, including telemedicine, healthcare workforce distribution, and rural health infrastructure development. Keywords: Rural Health; Health Equity; Access to Healthcare; Healthcare Infrastructure; Healthcare Workforce; Telemedicine; Community Health
15	Social Accountability of Medical Schools	This policy proposal on the Social Accountability of Medical Schools advocates for a transformative approach to medical education. It calls for medical institutions to actively engage with their communities, rais awareness for different kinds of underserved communities, prioritize diversity in admissions, and adapt curricula to address the broader social determinants of health. By fostering accountability and transparency, this proposal ensures that medical schools produce compassionate, culturally sensitive physicians who are committed to serving the diverse needs of their communities.
16	Patient Involvement in Medical Education	This policy proposal on Patient Involvement in Medical Education promotes a shift in healthcare training. It encourages medical institutions to incorporate patient perspectives throughout the educational process, from curriculum design to clinical experiences. By actively involving patients in the training of future healthcare professionals, we aim to foster empathy, improve communication, and create a healthcare workforce that truly understands and responds to the needs and preferences of those they serve. This proposal empowers patients to be active participants in their own care and helps ensure that medical education is aligned with real-world patient experiences.
17	Sexual Harassment in Universities and the Workplace	The Sexual Harassment in Universities and the Workplace Policy aims to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in these two settings. It aims to explore the common forms of sexual harassment relevant to medical students and healthcare professions, contributing factors to this issue, and reasons behind the failure to properly address this issue from an institutional level. Its call-to-action will also serve as an important guide for medical students on how to advocate for victims of sexual harassment in universities and the workplace. It aims to also be closely tied to the social determinants of health, analysing the issue from an individual, community, and societal levels. Keywords: Sexual Harassment; Sexual Assaults; Gender-Based Violence (GBV); Verbal Harassment; Written Harassment; Visual Harassment; Trauma Informed Care; Gender Equity; Social Determinants of Health
18	Equity in Global Healthcare Workforce	This policy proposal aims to build upon the general policy on Human resources on health to underscore Equity issues pertaining to discrimination associated with gender, age, class, education, ethnicity, migration status, harassment, gender pay gap; occupational segregation by gender and other demographic characteristics and leadership. Equity within the workforce can help achieve universal health care and build resilient health systems and such policy will explore existing challenges focusing on gender inequities and beyond. Keywords: Gender Equity; Women Leadership in Health; Gender pay gap; Discrimination; Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Workforce; Worker with Disabilities
19	Human Resources for Health (HRH)	Human resources for health encompasses all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health. The delivery of universal, accessible and good-quality services calls for a fit-for-purpose, well-performing and equitably distributed health and social workforce and requires good governance and leadership that addresses existing challenges on education, recruitment, retention and remuneration as well as decent work environments. This policy proposal will build on the past IFMSA policy on Global Health Workforce, further exploring key aspects pertaining to availability , accessibility, relevance and competencies of health workers in different settings to enable maximum improvements in health outcomes, build resilient sustainable health systems and achieve health related SDGs. Keywords: Quality Care; Health Worker Rights; Recruitment and retention; Interprofessional Teams ; Decent working Enviroments

Name of the Policy

Description + Keywords

Student Mobility

The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) runs the largest student- run medical exchange program worldwide for more than 70 years, allowing more than 15 thousand medical students, each year, to embark on a journey to explore healthcare delivery and health systems in different cultural and social settings. This proposed policy of Students Mobility will be a renewal for the current one, as a review of the literature shows the existence of different barriers in the introduction of a coherent and comprehensive internationalized approach in the medical curriculum, from visa issues to the absence of structured or recognized programs, we do believe the importance of having a policy document on this topic.

Access to Medicines

This policy document was expired last March 2022. Access to medicines refers to the reasonable ability for people to get needed medicines required to achieve health. Such access is deemed to be part of the right to health as supported by international law since 1946. The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), believes that access to affordable, effective, and safe technologies is a human right. We believe that the current research and development (R&D) system lacks transparency and is driven by commercial interests rather than public health needs, which is in turn reducing the availability of affordable medicines. Moreover, we would navigate into the posibility of adding the emergent topic of stregthening clinical trials and the relation with access to medicines.

Road Safety and Health

This proposed Road Safety and Heath policy for MM24 addresses the critical intersection of road safety and public health, aiming to mitigate the global burden of road traffic injuries and fatalities while promoting overall well-being. With a focus on prevention, education, and advocacy, this policy seeks to engage governments, NGOs, stakeholders, other institutions and medical students worldwide in efforts to improve road safety, reduce accidents, and enhance healthcare responses to road traffic injuries. The policy is projected to encompass the intersection with SDGs, vulnerable populations, disparities in road safety worldwide, the socio-economical impact of road traffic injuries, the intersection with public transportation and air pollution, and the current legilslation and policies on the topic.

Keywords: Road Safety; Road Traffic Injuries; Accident Prevention; Injury Mitigation; Healthcare Response; Road Safety Policy; Public Health; Community Health

Healthy Ageing and Life Course

This proposed Healthy Ageing and Life Course policy for MM24 emphasizes equitable access to healthcare, holistic health promotion, and comprehensive care that addresses the unique health needs of individuals as they progress through various life stages. This policy is aimed to advocate for a interdisciplinary approach to ensure that healthy ageing is achieved by adopting targeted interventions that address the vulnerabilities and challenges the ageing population is facing, by focusing on the vulnerabilities in ageing populations, the health systems approach, the socio-economic burden of ageing population, the interlinkage to the SDGs, and current policies and stakeholders approach.

Keywords: Healthy Ageing; Age-Related Challenges; Quality of Life; Geriatric Health; Multigenerational Health; Social Inclusion; Equitable Healthcare; Preventive Measures

Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

The renewal of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy document is paramount in the post-pandemic recovery context, with COVID-19 highlighting the urgent need for adaptable and resilient healthcare systems. The renewal process aims to harness the data and insights gained from managing the crisis, ensuring UHC's responsiveness to future health emergencies. This crucial endeavor ensures that individuals and communities are shielded from the financial hardship of healthcare and addresses its interlinkage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, it underscores the significance of effective Health Systems Governance within the UHC framework, promoting robust decision-making and equitable healthcare access. It also aims to reaffirm our commitment to achieving the UHC 2030 strategy and the vision of leaving no one behind, solidifying an inclusive and sustainable healthcare future.

Keywords: Universal Health Coverage; post-pandemic recovery; resilient healthcare systems; financial hardship; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Health Systems Governance; UHC 2030 strategy

Gender Equity

The Gender Equity policy proposed for MM24 aims to address the intersectional nature of gender equity, emphasing on the updated call-to-action based on newest evidence. It will expands on the ideas of gender equity from the perspective of global health, factors exacerbating gender inequity, and gender disparities in different education and workplace settings. The new policy will include new sections such as gender equity and SDGs, vulnerable populations, gender equity in the digital age, gender equity and post-pandemic recovery, IFMSA contributions. This policy will serve as important guides when it comes to external meetings such as the Commission on the Status of Women.

Pregnancy and Infant Health

Pregnancy and infant health have a profound impact on the well-being of both the mother and the child and have broader implications for society as a whole. This policy aims to explore on the aspect of the holistic health of the person being pregnancy, infant heath, reducing maternal and infant mortality, child development, and the wellbeing of the whole household. It also aims to explore the intrinsic links of these topics with SDGs and the achieved and upcoming milestones. Our call-to-action will call for the priorization and promotion of healthy pregnancies and early childhood development, infrastucture funding to improve the quality of life for mothers and children, and reduce their healthcare costs.

Keywords: Maternal Health; Infant Health; Human Development; NCDs; Parental Leaves; Nutrition; Antenatal, Intranatal, and Postnatal Care; Breastfeeding

Gender Representation in Medical Curriculum and Research

This proposed Gender Representation in Medical Curriculum and Research to address the crucial aspect of ensuring that healthcare and medical treatments are equitable and effective for all individuals. It involves considering the differences and nuances related to sex and gender in the design, analysis, and reporting of medical education and research. It calls on medical education and research to examine how biological differences between males and females can impact disease risk, progression, and response to treatments and encourage the inclusion of non-cisgender men and women in clinical teaching and medical research. It calls on universities and researchers to consider how social and cultural factors related to gender can affect health outcomes, which may include differences in access to healthcare, risk behaviors, and the impact of gender identity on mental health.

Keywords: Medical Education; Academic Research; Patient-centered care; Sex vs. Gender; Gender Equity; Transgender Health

Peace and Health

The proposed Peace and Health policy for MM24 is strategically crafted to address the complex and multifaceted challenges surrounding the pursuit of peace within the global health context. This policy rigorously examines the intricate dynamics of peace promotion in global health, with a distinct focus on the fundamental factors that contribute to lasting peace and equilibrium. It further delves into the far-reaching implications of promoting peace across various educational and professional environments. The policy encompasses other critical dimensions, including the role of peace in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), its influence on marginalized populations, its significance in post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation, and the active contributions of IFMSA to this pivotal initiative. Moreover, this will serve as an important advocacy tool for IFMSA in engagement opportunities as WHA especially as the 5th draft of the GHPI (Global Health and Peace Initiative) will be voted upon.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

This proposed Antimicrobial Resistance policy for MM24 underscores the urgency of addressing AMR through a multidisciplinary, comprehensive and collaborative approach. It advocates for responsible utilization of antimicrobial agents, the enhancement of surveillance mechanisms, sustained investment in research, and development of novel antimicrobials, and the reinforcement of educational initiatives on AMR. This policy is aimed to highlight its causes, how to prevent its detrimental consequences, the interlinkage between AMR and health and non-health sectors, global disparities on antimicrobial use and resistances, vulnerable populations and current policies ans programmes on this issue. Please note that the previous version of the policy was adopted in AM21, and the decision to renew the policy for MM24 has taken into account the upcoming UN High Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in September 2024.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Infectious Disease Control; Drug-Resistant Infections; Epidemiology Surveillance; One Health Approach

Fossil Fuel Divestment

This proposed Fossil Fuel Divestment policy for MM24 underscores the importance of divesting from fossil fuel investments to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect global health, by recognizing the urgent need to address the environmental and health consequences associated with the continued use of fossil fuels. This policy is aimed to align with the global call for action on sustainable and responsible investing and promotes the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. It will encompass the intersection with the SGDs, the environmental and health impact of fossil fuels, vulnerable populations and the global disparities in fossil fuel investment, the socio-economical burden of this energy source and climate finance.

Keywords: Fossil Fuel Divestment; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Climate Action; Clean Energy Transition; Pollution Reduction; Health Impact; Environmental Health; Responsible Finance

Rural Health

This proposed Rural Health policy for MM24 aims to promote equitable healthcare access and quality for those living in rural regions, ensuring that its residents receive the same standard of care as their urban counterparts and the dispariaties in healthcare access, infrastructure, and resources are extinguished, for the benefit of the health and well-being of their residents. This policy will serve as an advocacy tool for the implementarion of policies, programmes and comprehensive strategies to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas, including telemedicine, healthcare workforce distribution, and rural health infrastructure development.

Keywords: Rural Health; Health Equity; Access to Healthcare; Healthcare Infrastructure; Healthcare Workforce; Telemedicine; Community Health

Social Accountability of Medical Schools

This policy proposal on the Social Accountability of Medical Schools advocates for a transformative approach to medical education. It calls for medical institutions to actively engage with their communities, rais awareness for different kinds of underserved communities, prioritize diversity in admissions, and adapt curricula to address the broader social determinants of health. By fostering accountability and transparency, this proposal ensures that medical schools produce compassionate, culturally sensitive physicians who are committed to serving the diverse needs of their communities.

Patient Involvement in Medical Education

This policy proposal on Patient Involvement in Medical Education promotes a shift in healthcare training. It encourages medical institutions to incorporate patient perspectives throughout the educational process, from curriculum design to clinical experiences. By actively involving patients in the training of future healthcare professionals, we aim to foster empathy, improve communication, and create a healthcare workforce that truly understands and responds to the needs and preferences of those they serve. This proposal empowers patients to be active participants in their own care and helps ensure that medical education is aligned with real-world patient experiences.

Sexual Harassment in Universities and the Workplace

The Sexual Harassment in Universities and the Workplace Policy aims to address the prevalence of sexual harassment in these two settings. It aims to explore the common forms of sexual harassment relevant to medical students and healthcare professions, contributing factors to this issue, and reasons behind the failure to properly address this issue from an institutional level. Its call-to-action will also serve as an important guide for medical students on how to advocate for victims of sexual harassment in universities and the workplace. It aims to also be closely tied to the social determinants of health, analysing the issue from an individual, community, and societal levels.

Keywords: Sexual Harassment; Sexual Assaults; Gender-Based Violence (GBV); Verbal Harassment; Written Harassment; Visual Harassment; Trauma Informed Care; Gender Equity; Social Determinants of Health

Equity in Global Healthcare Workforce

This policy proposal aims to build upon the general policy on Human resources on health to underscore Equity issues pertaining to discrimination associated with gender, age, class, education, ethnicity, migration status, harassment, gender pay gap; occupational segregation by gender and other demographic characteristics and leadership. Equity within the workforce can help achieve universal health care and build resilient health systems and such policy will explore existing challenges focusing on gender inequities and beyond.

Keywords: Gender Equity; Women Leadership in Health; Gender pay gap; Discrimination; Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Workforce; Worker with Disabilities

Human Resources for Health (HRH)

Human resources for health encompasses all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health. The delivery of universal, accessible and good-quality services calls for a fit-for-purpose, well-performing and equitably distributed health and social workforce and requires good governance and leadership that addresses existing challenges on education, recruitment, retention and remuneration as well as decent work environments. This policy proposal will build on the past IFMSA policy on Global Health Workforce, further exploring key aspects pertaining to availability , accessibility, relevance and competencies of health workers in different settings to enable maximum improvements in health outcomes, build resilient sustainable health systems and achieve health related SDGs.

Keywords: Quality Care; Health Worker Rights; Recruitment and retention; Interprofessional Teams ; Decent working Enviroments