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Georgia has a concentrated but growing HIV epidemic. Over the past decade, HIV prevalence has increased among all population groups, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). If current conditions (behaviors and service coverage) are sustained up to 2030, the epidemic is expected to stabilize among female sex workers (FSWs). At the same time, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and the clients of female sex workers (FSW) may increase, but at a slower rate than in the past. MSM account for the largest proportion of new infections and experience the highest prevalence levels of HIV (13 percent in 2012).1 However, prevention programs that specifically target MSM currently account for approximately only 3 percent of HIV spending.The HIV epidemic in the general population is expected to increase due largely to the increasing HIV prevalence among MSM and existing prevalence among PWID.The HIV epidemic among PWID in Georgia has stabilized due to significant and prolonged efforts to target this population.Testing key populations and their sexual partners is the most cost-effective strategy to identify those who require antiretroviral therapy (ART). Testing key populations and their sexual partners is the most cost-effective strategy to identify those who require antiretroviral therapy (ART).Opportunities exist to further optimize investments.Improvements in technical efficiency may provide additional gains.The health and economic burden of HIV in Georgia is growing.In the long term, the model predicts that HIV resource needs will increase with rising incidence and prevalence. However, the analysis estimates that optimizing current allocations by increasing spending on ART provision while sustaining investment in key populations could save approximately 224,635 dollars annually. The results also show that optimizing the allocation of current spending would lower annual spending commitments for newly infected PLHIV by approximately 15 percent. Current annual spending will not be enough to achieve National HIV Strategic Plan and international targets.

Disease Control & Prevention --- Health Economics & Finance --- Health, Nutrition and Population

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This is a background paper to the Pacific Possible report. Pacific Island countries suffer from a non-communicable diseases crises, with some of the world's highest rates of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This report estimates the long-term economic impact if the crisis continues unchecked. Implementation of the NCD roadmap is essential to stemming the crisis.

Disease Control & Prevention --- Health, Nutrition and Population --- Noncommunicable Diseases --- Public Health Promotion

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This paper examines the global implications of COVID-19 on mental health, with a focus on four particularly vulnerable populations: (1) unemployed adults; (2) youth; (3) older-age populations; and (4) healthcare workers. Considering the global public health burden of mental disorders, understanding COVID-19's psychological impact on vulnerable populations may provide policy makers with the information necessary to effectively direct resources. The paper focuses on these populations because racial, gender, and social class disparities endure in most educational and work opportunities.25 Additionally, health systems and work environments can perpetuate inequality among vulnerable populations, often leading to worse health outcomes. Previous pandemics and natural disasters have exacerbated income and health disparities for vulnerable populations.25 Similarly, the economic shutdown may disproportionately affect low-income or racial minority workers who work in sector most affected by COVID-19. Youth and older populations remain vulnerable because of factors associated with their age, whereas frontline healthcare workers face overwhelmed health systems and a higher risk of infection. Focusing on these vulnerable populations, the narrative review summarizes the literature addressing mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper is organized as follows: the next section summarizes current literature on the psychological impact of COVID-19 on four vulnerable populations. The following section then summarizes the findings for each of the populations, followed by a section discussing those results. The next sections provide an understanding of the current state of global mental health and recommend short, medium, and long-term policy solutions.

Coronavirus --- COVID-19 --- Disease Control and Prevention --- Health, Nutrition and Population --- Mental Health

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In order to address the large and growing non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, Bangladesh's public health system needs to change and innovate. It needs to transition from a system designed for infectious disease and mother and child health to an integrated care system with focus on primary health care, out-patient and chronic care, as well as community health promotion. This report presents findings from an NCD cascade analysis, using hypertension as a tracer condition as well as type-2 diabetes, in order to determine the continuum of care for chronic NCDs in Bangladesh. The cascade findings are embedded in a review of the country's policy and health care delivery environment for NCDs and a benchmarking assessment against similar economies and regional comparator countries. The report also presents promising practices and models of NCD and chronic care in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Based on the evidence reviewed and analyses conducted, the report provides recommendations for different aspects of NCD policy and programming. These are meant to provide input into the dialogue on how to improve NCD integrated care and outcomes in Bangladesh. The support is provided within the World Bank's assistance to countries to strengthen NCD care through data-driven resource allocation and decision-making.

Disease Control and Prevention --- Health Systems Development and Reform --- Health, Nutrition and Population --- Public Health Promotion

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As countries consider how to reopen schools safely in the context of COVID-19 (coronavirus), one key question is how to assess students' learning to support learning recovery. The expected magnitude of learning losses, particularly among students with the highest needs, makes it essential for key stakeholders in the education process - policymakers, teachers, school principals, students, and their parents - to determine where students are in their learning trajectory relative to what had been expected prior to the pandemic, so they can adjust instruction and allocate resources accordingly. To collect this information, stakeholders can rely on student learning assessment, which is an essential feedback mechanism in the education system. This note provides key steps that countries with different availability of resources should consider in developing their plans for learning assessment activities to support learning recovery in the context of school reopening. Throughout this note, assessment of student learning is defined as gathering and evaluating information on what students know, understand, and can do to make informed decisions about the next steps in the educational process. In addition, some considerations and country examples for the implementation of high-stakes examinations are discussed. This note concludes with examples of learning assessment activities that countries around the world are planning or implementing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, this note highlights important lessons that can support resilience to future emergencies and crises.

Coronavirus --- COVID-19 --- Disease Control and Prevention --- Education --- Educational Institutions and Facilities --- Health, Nutrition and Population