The paper by Turner and colleagues is an inspiring take on how cross-sectoral Collaboration can be accomplished, in the context of the jointly shared emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors review the experience of three cities in Columbia and their efforts to share knowledge and resources as well as coordinate responses to COVID-19 across governmental healthcare organizations, private sector institutions, and universities. Because these entities are typically thought to differ mission, incentives, and objectives, this careful examination of factors that enabled or impeded coordination generated novel insights that may be helpful in less urgent but still pressing healthcare needs in the future.

Residency areas are primary social factors that directly and indirectly affect health and in synergy with other factors, changes health equity indices. Qazvin as one of the provinces in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a pioneer in the provision of an integrated health program with Intersectoral Collaboration approach and the participation of residents. In this study required data was gathered in a qualitative method by reviewing documents, group discussions with stakeholders and residents and interviews with key informed individuals. In the beginning, stakeholder’ s analysis revealed highly effective organizations and their method of cooperation. Insufficient access to housing, weak security, insufficient swage system and deficiency of entertainment and park environment are four top urgent issues which are related to housing. Strategic goals for each issue has been designed in a four-year time frame and projects for reaching the goals that are considered in three categories: promotional, facilitator and mandatory. Cooperation of multiple stakeholders including managers and residents are features of preparing this program. A change of stakeholders’ perspective to health-oriented performance in housing is the added value of this public act.

Background: Health equity is considered as one of the main objectives of health care systems. This study was carried out with the aim of determining health equity indicators in Iran. Through consideration of these indicators, differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas can be shown in different periods and based on that, effective interventions can be designed. This study is carried out through a main workshop and expert panels and final consensus on selected indicators. The first draft of indicators and inequity stratifying variables were prepared and then revised by working groups consisting of experts inside and outside Health system. Finally ideas were accepted or rejected after presenting enough reasons and deep examination through the Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making (COMD) model. Fifty two indicators have been determined as health equity indicators in five areas including health, social and human development, economic development, physical environment and infrastructure and governance. Furthermore, for each indicator the proper and practical stratifying variables of inequity were identified. By calculating such indicators, it becomes possible to determine differences in health status of different social groups and different geographical areas.

Background: The implementation of health interventions requires the Collaboration of various sectors outside health due to the multidimensional nature of healthcare. Building effective partnerships demands the use of Intersectoral mechanisms that facilitate the leadership and implementation of these programs. In this review, the mechanisms of Intersectoral Collaboration (ISC) and their results were identified. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in 2020. Using relevant keywords, all documents related to ISC in the health system were identified by searching four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science), Google, and Google scholar search engines. In the initial search, 2911 documents were extracted. Based on the selection criteria 52 documents were selected for content analysis. Results: Five areas of ISC were identified, including funding (collection, pooling, and distribution of funds), governance and leadership (political commitment, rules and regulations, control and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement), structural mechanisms (interorganizational, government-based, and program-based structures), process tools (information tools, support tools, and resource and service sharing), and models and frameworks (general, national, and program-specific models). Conclusion: An Intersectoral framework or model be developed that considers the financial, structural, and leadership aspects as well as the necessary process tools required for each program. Moreover, it should be considered communication and human resources empowerment in each intervention.

Background and objective: It is necessary to follow the example of different sectors for designing a model of Intersectoral Collaboration for implementing spatial planning policy of medical education in Iran. Therefore, the present study examines the various dimensions of industry-university Collaboration in selected countries, as an example of Intersectoral Collaboration in higher medical education. Methods and Materials: In this research, 7 key terms were searched in valid scientific databases and databases in selected countries. After reviewing the documentation, unrelated items were deleted and the remaining content was reviewed. Results: The study investigated general conditions, responsible institutions and structure of medical education, and also industry-university Collaboration in R&D projects in 4 countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia. The findings show that industry-university Collaboration has grown in these countries and most of the R&D costs is provided by the industry sector. Conclusion: Designing long-term industry-university Collaboration, different industries Collaboration, defining interdisciplinary projects, more communication with society and monitoring real needs and designing supportive policies to encourage individuals and industries to invest in R&D must be considered for promoting industryuniversity Collaboration in developing countries.

Introduction: Intersectoral Collaboration (ISC) in health program implementation refers to coordinated efforts between the health system and other departments to enhance effective and efficient results. Different missions and goals of organizations make it challenging for their management to establish effective communication. This review was conducted to identify facilitators and barriers for Intersectoral Collaboration in health program implementation. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the Arksey & O'Malley framework. The search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science databases, and Google and Google Scholar search engines with related keywords without time limitation until April 2023. The data analysis was conducted using the framework analysis method. Results: After the screening, 27 studies concerning the barriers and facilitator of ISC were chosen. Facilitators and barriers were classified into two categories: those within the healthcare system, including governance and leadership, financing, human resources, facilities and equipment, information systems, and health service delivery, and those outside of it, encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors. Conclusion: Anticipating potential obstacles in interdepartmental cooperation can mitigate many challenges during program implementation. Strengthening ISC is anticipated to facilitate the implementation of health programs and the attainment of goals.

Background and Objective: Cancers are one of the most important public health issues and the third leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular diseases and injuries in Iran. The most common cancers reported in the recent years have been included skin, stomach, breast, colon, bladder, leukemia, and esophagus respectively. Control of cancer as one of the three main health system priorities of Iran, needs a specific roadmap and clear task definition for involved organizations. This study provides stakeholder analysis include determining the roles of Ministry of Healthand Medical Education as the custodian of the national health and the duties of other beneficiary organizations to reduce the risk of cancer for cooperation with a scientific approach and systematic methodology.Materials and Methods: This health system research project was performed by participation of Social Determinants of Health Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Office of the Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and other stakeholders in 2013. At first, the strategic committee was established and the stakeholders were identified and analyzed. Then the quantitative data were collected by searching in national database concern incidence, prevalence, and burden of all types of cancers. At the last with the qualitative approach, a systematic review of the studies, documents and reports was conducted as well as conversing for the national strategic plans of Iran and other countries and the experts’ views regarding management of the cancer risk factors. In practice, role and responsibilities of each stakeholder were practically analyzed. Then the risk factors identified and the effective evidence-based interventions were determined for each cancer and finally the role of the Ministry of Health were set as the responsible or co-worker and also the role of the other organizations separately clarified in each case.

Background: For sustainable development and resolve complex public health problems, Intersectoral Collaboration is a necessity. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is one of the tools used to develop Intersectoral interactions. In this study, the challenges in the development and implementation of MOUs and propose strategies to overcome these challenges were studied by collecting the views of some stakeholders from other organizations. Methods: For identifying challenges and solutions to improve the situation, group discussions were conducted with the presence of representatives from four ministries of Agriculture, Roads and Urban Development, Sports and Youth, and Education and the representatives of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, who were responsible for preparing MOUs. All sessions were transcript and analyzed by using content analysis method. Results: Some challenges were defined according to the development and implementation of MOUs. For better implementation, suggested strategies were: Strengthening the stewardship of Intersectoral Collaboration, effective and powerful management in monitoring the implementation of MOUs, Determining the appropriate financing path, strengthening individual and organizational capabilities in developing and implementing of MOUs, improving the terms and conditions of the implementing the MOUs. Conclusion: Collaboration with other sectors has now become one of the main issues in health systems. For better achievement, strengthening the stewardship of Intersectoral Collaboration to effective coordination for drafting MOU, and facilitates and monitors the effective implementation of MOUs by identifying key people in each organization and empowering them is necessary.