The Pan American Health Organization-adapted Hanlon method for prioritization of health programs

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Program Management
• Priority-Setting Methodologies

Background:

• The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) utilized the Hanlon method, originally for disease control, to implement its Strategic Plan for 2014-2019.
• Adaptation was necessary to encompass a broader range of public health program areas beyond infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the scientific adaptation of the Hanlon method by PAHO.
• To apply the adapted Hanlon method for prioritizing diverse public health programs within the PAHO Strategic Plan.

Main Methods:

• A Strategic Plan Advisory Group (SPAG) with Member State representatives was formed in 2014.
• SPAG collaborated with the PAHO Technical Team through three meetings (2015-2016) to review and adapt priority-setting methods.
• The process involved assessing existing methods, the original Hanlon method, and its revisions, culminating in a jointly developed adapted method.

Main Results:

• The PAHO-adapted Hanlon method retains components A (problem size), B (problem seriousness), and C (intervention effectiveness).
• Component D (PEARL - Propriety, Economics, Acceptability, Resources, Legality) was removed as it was deemed a pre-screening tool, not essential for prioritization.
• New components E (inequity) and F (institutional positioning) were added to the Hanlon equation.

Conclusions:

• The adapted Hanlon method offers a refined framework for prioritizing public health programs, including both disease and non-disease control areas.
• This modified Hanlon method is potentially valuable for the World Health Organization and national governments facing similar public health prioritization challenges.