Why lower income countries may just be the source of inspiration the World needs.

Special Lunchtime Session (L3):

Presented by Auke van Dijk, Senior Strategist, Police of the Netherlands

Chaired by Dr Melissa Jardine, Centre for Law Enforcement & Public Health

This research explores the notion that developing a comprehensive framework on LEPH in low income countries could provide the inspiration for a new comprehensive paradigm in high income countries.

The disadvantage of a head start: why LMIC might take the lead in developing LEPH.

Background: The LEPH development has some important origins in low and middle income countries (LIMC) with key populations as an important dimension. LEPH is part of the answer to some of the sustainable development goals, especially where there is a connection between health outcomes and normative institutions, with the police as a central actor. However, thinking about how to conceptualize the LEPH field and especially the role of policing is almost invariable based on models related to High Income Countries. There is a need and rationale to remedy this omission.

Research Objectives or Program Description: The objective is to build a comprehensive framework on LEHP that is based on research and practices in countries covering the full range of country income and that could help build LEPH cooperation and research in a wide variety of circumstances. Economic development and institutional context does matter. The perceptive of the framework is however not a perspective that assumes HIC strategies should be adopted once LMIC ‘progress’. To state this more forcefully: different models could be developed in de the conditions of LMIC that could make them leaders in crafting on the basis of this new comprehensive paradigm, like developing policing and public health with one comprehensive model. This would be of help to countries – and for example the UN – in reaching sustainable development goals in an effective and just way.

Methods or Activities: At this stage the activities are conceptual theoretical work, literature review and mobilizing the international network to create a comprehensive perspective.

Results or Evaluation: An important result will be WHO Bulletin / special issue on law enforcement and public health.

Conclusions or Implications: It is in LMIC where potential benefits of comprehensive LEAPH development probably are highest and most important. They could also be a source of inspiration for the high income countries that might be struggling with a negative legacy of affluence.

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