Exploring the Politics of Data for Child Health and Wellbeing: A 90-Minute Webinar

By COP2030

We are excited to invite you to a unique webinar that will explore the political dimensions of data for child health and wellbeing. This 90-minute session will bring together some of the most influential voices in global health to have an honest discussion on how data selection, framing, and presentation can influence policymaking.

Kara Hanson will be moderating the discussion. As the Professor of Health System Economics and Dean at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Kara brings 30 years of expertise in health systems economics, especially in low- and middle-income countries. She will guide us through the complex interplay between data and policy, setting the stage for a rich discussion.

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former Administrator of the UNDP will provide high-level insights into how global health data impacts maternal, newborn, and child health. As the current Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), Helen’s perspectives will highlight the broader implications of data in health advocacy and policy. 

Helia Molina will share her experiences as a pediatrician, professor, and former Chilean Minister of Health. Helia’s extensive work with UN agencies and her role in early childhood development make her insights particularly valuable in understanding how data dashboards are used in policy settings, particularly in Chile’s groundbreaking Chile Crece Contigo programme. 

Mary Kinney, a researcher at the University of the Western Cape, will discuss how data is utilized for women’s and children’s health policy and advocacy in South Africa. Her experience with maternal and perinatal death surveillance will offer a practical view of data’s role in shaping health policies. 

Divya Ravindranath, a Senior Researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, will shed light on how data can address social determinants of health and impact policy decisions. Her work explores the intersection of gender, informal work, and urban health in India.   

Kwame Sakyi, Director of Research and Partnership at the Center for Learning and Childhood Development Ghana will provide insights into how behavioral, social, and structural changes are driven by data in Ghana. He brings deep experience in improving maternal, newborn, and child health through evidence-based policies. 

Anthony Costello, Professor of Global Health and Sustainable Development at University College London, will offer closing thoughts. As Senior Adviser at CAP-2030 , Founder of the Lancet Countdown for Climate Action & Health, and former World Health Organization Director of Maternal & Child Health, Anthony will share insights from a long career using data to advocate for #ChildHealth.

Webinar Details: 

🗓 Date: Tuesday, 30th July   

🕒 Time: 1-2:30pm BST   

📍 Platform: Zoom (Please note the session will not be recorded to encourage open discussion) 

This webinar is an opportunity to understand the political nature of data in health policymaking. We encourage active participation and look forward to a lively discussion on how we can leverage data to achieve better health outcomes for children globally.