Health
The document library features summaries and links to editorially-selected publications on the key themes of health, education, nutrition, social protection and WASH. The documents are sourced from academic research, policy papers and global development organisations.
Despite economic growth, government latrine construction, and increasing recognition among policy-makers that it constitutes a health and human capital crisis, open defecation remains stubbornly widespread in rural India. Indeed, 67% of rural Indian households in the 2011 census reported defecating in the open. We present evidence from new survey data collected in villages in five… Read more
In August 2013 researchers, practitioners and policymakers gathered in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss and debate one of the biggest challenges to achieving Universal Health Coverage – how to extend financial protection and equitable access to health services to those outside the formal employment sector. The three-day workshop brought together representatives from six countries in Africa… Read more
The “Assessing the Strength of Evidence” How to Note aims to help all DFID staff appreciate better the strength of evidence they are using to inform their policy and programming choices. DFID is making the guidance publically available, as it may be helpful to researchers and policy makers in government departments, research institutes and funding… Read more
This document constitutes a briefing summary of the case study of a maternal mental health intervention in South Africa, the Philani Mentor Mothers Programme. The case study has been compiled by Professor Mark Tomlinson at Stellenbosch University as a contribution to the Empowerment of Women and Girls theme of the Accountable Grant at the Institute… Read more
This document constitutes a briefing summary of the case study of a maternal mental health intervention in South Africa, the Philani Mentor Mothers Programme. The case study has been compiled by Professor Mark Tomlinson at Stellenbosch University as a contribution to the Empowerment of Women and Girls theme of the Accountable Grant at the Institute… Read more
The UNICEF Annual Report 2013 provides highlights of UNICEF’s programmes, humanitarian assistance, partnerships and policy advocacy for children in 2013. The year 2013 was one of progress and promise for children, although disparities remain high even as we approach the 2015 target date for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The year was also a… Read more
This study is intended to broaden the range of impact evaluation (IE) designs particularly for difficult to evaluate programmes. The study considered existing IE practice, reviewed methodological literatures and assessed how state-of-the art evaluation designs and methods might be applied. The study has concluded that most development interventions are ‘contributory causes’. They ‘work’ as part… Read more
Tackling corruption in the health sector is essential for achieving better health outcomes. Addressing corruption may seem daunting, but experiences from around the world has shown that a collective donor response can be effective. What is deemed as ‘corruption’ and what constitutes an appropriate response will vary from country to country. Systematic analysis of vulnerabilities… Read more
Even though progress towards the Millennium Development Goal target represents important gains in access for billions of people around the world, it has been uneven. Sharp geographic, sociocultural and economic inequalities in access persist and sometimes have increased. This report presents examples of unequal progress among marginalized and vulnerable groups. Section 1 presents the status of… Read more
A post-Millennium Development Goals agenda for health in Bangladesh should be defined to encourage a second generation of health-system innovations under the clarion call of universal health coverage. This agenda should draw on the experience of the first generation of innovations that underlie the country’s impressive health achievements and creatively address future health challenges. Central… Read more
Bangladesh, with a population of 151 million people, is a country that is particularly prone to natural disasters: 26% of the population are affected by cyclones and 70% live in flood-prone regions. Mortality and morbidity from these events have fallen substantially in the past 50 years, partly because of improvements in disaster management. Thousands of… Read more