Framework for monitoring and evaluation of childhood cancer. CureAll Americas compendium of standardized indicators

Childhood cancer is one of the leading causes of disease-related mortality among children and adolescents worldwide. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, significant gaps persist in access to quality services, availability of timely information, and the capacity of health systems to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of interventions targeting this population. Within the framework of the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer and the CureAll Americas technical package, the Pan American Health Organization, in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and multiple regional partners, has developed this publication, which provides a harmonized set of concepts, methodological approaches, tools, and indicators to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of policies, interventions, and programs aimed at controlling childhood cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean. This publication offers practical guidance for the collection, analysis, and use of data at the institutional, regional, and national levels, promoting evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement in the quality of care, and strengthened accountability. It also facilitates the comparability of results across countries and helps identify gaps, opportunities, and best practices to advance toward more equitable and resilient health systems. Intended for public policymakers, managers of national childhood cancer programs, clinical teams, cancer registry authorities, researchers, civil society organizations, and cooperation partners, this monitoring and evaluation framework aims to support regional efforts to improve survival, reduce suffering, and ensure comprehensive, quality care for all children and adolescents with cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean.