Attachments
Foreword
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is pleased to present its new multiyear health-related research strategy. This report details the Agency’s ongoing commitment to addressing some of the world’s most challenging health and development issues through technology development, research and evaluation, and introduction and scale-up of real world, evidence-based solutions.
Since its creation in 1961, USAID has invested in the development and introduction of simple, innovative, evidence-based, and cost-effective solutions that save millions of lives. After over half a century of effort, USAID continues to encourage the widespread use of bold scientific and technological innovations to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods around the world. As a leader in the application of science, technology, and innovation to achieve development objectives, USAID has supported health research efforts that span the needs of the developing world. These efforts include investments in activities that range from product development to the evaluation of proven interventions. USAID recognizes that a foundation in technology development, and research and evaluation combined with a commitment to introduce and scale up evidence-based approaches, is vital to bringing game-changing innovations into use.
Through the USAID Forward reform agenda, and to address development challenges, the Agency is strengthening its support for pioneering scientific, technological, and innovative approaches. Illustrative of this, the Agency’s new evaluation policy renews our commitment to implementation research and the development of “best practices” around priority health interventions. Evidence Summits, concentrating on areas of critical global health importance, provide a mechanism for the U.S. Government and other stakeholders to synthesize best practices and policies, develop a focused research agenda to address critical gaps in understanding, and inform future health research studies. Through the Global Health Initiative, Grand Challenges for Development, Development Innovation Ventures, and the Higher Education Science Network, the Agency will continue to drive breakthroughs in science and technology that can transform development challenges into solvable problems.
The 2012 Child Survival Call to Action brought together governments, civil society, the United Nations, and the private sector to highlight innovative and proven strategies to speed up reductions in child mortality. Looking forward, and working in partnership with stakeholder countries, USAID will work to strengthen the monitoring and reporting of progress in child survival and will implement high-impact solutions to best address the leading causes of child mortality.
We welcome this opportunity to inform you of the Agency’s health-related research strategy and look forward to its implementation during the upcoming years. We thank Congress for its continued support of USAID and its health-related research agenda.
Ariel Pablos-Méndez, Assistant Administrator for Global Health
U.S. Agency for International Development