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Research is indispensable for resolving public health challenges – whether it be tackling diseases of poverty, responding to rise of chronic diseases,  or ensuring that mothers have access to safe delivery practices.

Likewise, shared vulnerability to global threats, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola virus disease, Zika virus and avian influenza has mobilized global research efforts in support of enhancing capacity for preparedness and response. Research is strengthening surveillance, rapid diagnostics and development of vaccines and medicines.

Public-private partnerships and other innovative mechanisms for research are concentrating on neglected diseases in order to stimulate the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics where market forces alone are insufficient.

Research for health spans 5 generic areas of activity:

• measuring the magnitude and distribution of the health problem;
• understanding the diverse causes or the determinants of the problem, whether they are due to biological, behavioural, social or environmental factors;
• developing solutions or interventions that will help to prevent or mitigate the problem;
• implementing or delivering solutions through policies and programmes; and
• evaluating the impact of these solutions on the level and distribution of the problem.

High-quality research is essential to fulfilling WHO’s mandate for the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. One of the Organization’s core functions is to set international norms, standards and guidelines, including setting international standards for research.

Under the “WHO strategy on research for health”, the Organization works to identify research priorities, and promote and conduct research with the following 4 goals:

• Capacity - build capacity to strengthen health research systems within Member States.
• Priorities - support the setting of research priorities that meet health needs particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Standards - develop an enabling environment for research through the creation of norms and standards for good research practice.
• Translation - ensure quality evidence is turned into affordable health technologies and evidence-informed policy.
• Prequalification of medicines by WHO
• Global Observatory on Health R&D
• Global Observatory on Health Research and Development
• Implementation research toolkit
• Ethics in implementation research: participant's guide
• Ethics in implementation research: facilitator's guide
• Ethics in epidemics, emergencies and disasters: Research, surveillance and patient care: WHO training manual
• WHA58.34 Ministerial Summit on Health Research
• WHA60.15 WHO's role and responsibilities in health research
• WHA63.21 WHO's role and responsibilities in health research
• EB115/30 Ministerial Summit on Health Research: report by the Secretariat
• Science division

New global guidance puts forward recommendations for more effective and equitable clinical trials

WHO consults on action plan for sustainable clinical research infrastructure

WHO advisory group convenes its first meeting on responsible use of the life sciences in Geneva

Challenging harmful masculinities and engaging men and boys in sexual and reproductive health

Guidance for best practices for clinical trials

This document responds to requests by the World Health Assembly to the Director-General in resolution WHA75.8 (2022) on strengthening clinical trials...

Target product profile for a diagnostic test to confirm visceral leishmaniasis

In 2007, the Sixtieth World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA60.13 on control of leishmaniasis, urging Member States, among other actions: to strengthen...

Ebola and Marburg disease outbreaks: infection prevention and control research priorities in health care...

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) are associated with severe, potentially fatal, systemic diseases. During the development of the Infection Prevention...

WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum, Geneva, 20-21 November 2023: summary of proceedings

This report offers a summary of the discussions during the first Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF) where experts from 43 countries deliberated on how...

Coordinating R&D on antimicrobial resistance

Ensuring responsible use of life sciences research

Prioritizing diseases for research and development in emergency contexts

Promoting research on Buruli ulcer

Research in maternal, perinatal, and adolescent health

Undertaking health law research

Feature story

One year on, Global Observatory on Health R&D identifies striking gaps and inequalities

Video: Open access to health: WHO joins cOAlition S

Video: Multisectional research on sleeping sickness in Tanzania in the context of climate change

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Research and Development Blueprint

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International Clinical Trials Registry Platform

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Women’s health needs are different than men’s.

Yet a gender health gap still exists., we are here to close this gap by addressing women's health needs, ensuring women get the care they deserve., we are making women’s health mainstream., women’s health needs are different than men’s. yet a gender health gap still exists. we are here to close this gap by addressing women's health needs, ensuring women get the care they deserve. we are making women’s health mainstream., women have unique health needs, and many diseases and conditions affect women differently than men. the society for women’s health research (swhr) is the thought leader in advancing women’s health through science, policy, and education while promoting research on sex differences to optimize women’s health. we are making women’s health mainstream..

Menopause Workplace Resource Guides

Data shows that menopause can have far-reaching impacts on a woman’s career-related decisions, regardless of her career goals. The Menopause Workplace Resource Guides were created by SWHR to support women and managers in creating more menopause-friendly workplaces.

SWHR Policy Agenda: Improving Women’s Heart Health Outcomes Across the Lifespan

Endometriosis Toolkit: A Guide For Teens

Kit de Herramientas para la Endometriosis: Guía para Adolescentes

Supporting Children with Narcolepsy at School

Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide

Living Well With Lupus: A Toolkit for Women

The Women’s Health Equity Initiative highlights statistics on women’s health in the United States and aims to engage communities on solutions to improve health equity across multiple disease states, conditions, and life stages.

The SWHR Women’s Health Dashboard offers a platform to explore the latest national and state data on diseases and health conditions that have significant impacts on women’s health across the lifespan.

Upcoming Events

The overlapping impact of pelvic pain & gi disorders in endometriosis, swhr policy advisory council meeting, recent blogs.

The White House Speaks at Women’s Unique Health Needs and the Sustainable Development Goals Event  

Tuesday, September 24 – Mala Adiga, JD, MPH, Deputy Assistant to the President and Policy Director to the First Lady […]

Moving from Invisibility to Empowerment for Women in Midlife  

Midlife, typically defined as starting at age 35 and going through age 65, represents about 63% of women in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Yet, health research focused on this critical window for healthy aging interventions in women has been understudied.

Supporting Pregnant and Lactating Populations in Health Care

This blog post was originally published by the Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics.  Despite there being more than 3.5 million births […]

Global Gathering of Experts to Advance Women’s Health at the United Nations Science Summit

During “Women’s Unique Health Needs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” a program during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) Science Summit this fall, SWHR and ECHAlliance will seek to identify key opportunities to advance women’s health research, care, and policies through a series of panel and keynote discussions.

What is University of Miami Health Research?

Some people are unaware of health research studies that could help their friends, family, or themselves. UMiamiHealthResearch.org is a place to connect volunteers with health research studies at the University of Miami. Because when we all get involved, it speeds up the time it takes to find new medical treatments and cures that help us live better, longer, healthier lives.

Sign up for our registry to be notified about the studies that interest you.

It's up to us. research today for a better tomorrow..

With your help, we can discover more.

How can I participate in a health research study?

Health research refers to research that is done to learn more about human health. Health research also aims to find better ways to prevent and treat disease. University of Miami health research studies can be done from the comfort of your home or safely in a clinic or office setting. Some studies may also provide compensation for your participation.

Why is diversity in research important?

What works for one person may not work for another. Medicines and treatments can have a different effect based on gender, race, and ethnicity. If research volunteers don’t represent all of us, scientists will not know if the results can be applied to all people equally.

Powered by participation

Medical breakthroughs happen when people like you participate in research studies.

It's up to us Research today for a better tomorrow

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• Sampling methods
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• What is the Understanding Health Research tool?

Trying to make sense of health research?

This tool will guide you through a series of questions to help you to review and interpret a published health research paper. you will also be given some guidance on how to work out whether the research findings apply to you or not. you need to be careful about applying research findings to your own circumstances, and in many cases it is best to speak to a health professional before making decisions based on research findings., get started, check other sources, about the tool.

Participating in Health Research Studies

What is health research.

• Is Health Research Safe?
• Is Health Research Right for Me?
• Types of Health Research

The term "health research," sometimes also called "medical research" or "clinical research," refers to research that is done to learn more about human health. Health research also aims to find better ways to prevent and treat disease. Health research is an important way to help improve the care and treatment of people worldwide.

Have you ever wondered how certain drugs can cure or help treat illness? For instance, you might have wondered how aspirin helps reduce pain. Well, health research begins with questions that have not been answered yet such as:

"Does a certain drug improve health?"

To gain more knowledge about illness and how the human body and mind work, volunteers can help researchers answer questions about health in studies of an illness. Studies might involve testing new drugs, vaccines, surgical procedures, or medical devices in clinical trials . For this reason, health research can involve known and unknown risks. To answer questions correctly, safely, and according to the best methods, researchers have detailed plans for the research and procedures that are part of any study. These procedures are called "protocols."

An example of a research protocol includes the process for determining participation in a study. A person might meet certain conditions, called "inclusion criteria," if they have the required characteristics for a study. A study on menopause may require participants to be female. On the other hand, a person might not be able to enroll in a study if they do not meet these criteria based on "exclusion criteria." A male may not be able to enroll in a study on menopause. These criteria are part of all research protocols. Study requirements are listed in the description of the study.

A Brief History

While a few studies of disease were done using a scientific approach as far back as the 14th Century, the era of modern health research started after World War II with early studies of antibiotics. Since then, health research and clinical trials have been essential for the development of more than 1,000 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs. These drugs help treat infections, manage long term or chronic illness, and prolong the life of patients with cancer and HIV.

Sound research demands a clear consent process. Public knowledge of the potential abuses of medical research arose after the severe misconduct of research in Germany during World War II. This resulted in rules to ensure that volunteers freely agree, or give "consent," to any study they are involved in. To give consent, one should have clear knowledge about the study process explained by study staff. Additional safeguards for volunteers were also written in the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki .

New rules and regulations to protect research volunteers and to eliminate ethical violations have also been put in to place after the Tuskegee trial . In this unfortunate study, African American patients with syphilis were denied known treatment so that researchers could study the history of the illness. With these added protections, health research has brought new drugs and treatments to patients worldwide. Thus, health research has found cures to many diseases and helped manage many others.

Why is Health Research Important?

The development of new medical treatments and cures would not happen without health research and the active role of research volunteers. Behind every discovery of a new medicine and treatment are thousands of people who were involved in health research. Thanks to the advances in medical care and public health, we now live on average 10 years longer than in the 1960's and 20 years longer than in the 1930's. Without research, many diseases that can now be treated would cripple people or result in early death. New drugs, new ways to treat old and new illnesses, and new ways to prevent diseases in people at risk of developing them, can only result from health research.

Before health research was a part of health care, doctors would choose medical treatments based on their best guesses, and they were often wrong. Now, health research takes the guesswork out. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all new medicines are fully tested before doctors can prescribe them. Many things that we now take for granted are the result of medical studies that have been done in the past. For instance, blood pressure pills, vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, transplant surgery, and chemotherapy are all the result of research.

Medical research often seems much like standard medical care, but it has a distinct goal. Medical care is the way that your doctors treat your illness or injury. Its only purpose is to make you feel better and you receive direct benefits. On the other hand, medical research studies are done to learn about and to improve current treatments. We all benefit from the new knowledge that is gained in the form of new drugs, vaccines, medical devices (such as pacemakers) and surgeries. However, it is crucial to know that volunteers do not always receive any direct benefits from being in a study. It is not known if the treatment or drug being studied is better, the same, or even worse than what is now used. If this was known, there would be no need for any medical studies.

• Next: Is Health Research Safe? >>
• Last Updated: May 27, 2020 3:05 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/healthresearch

Catalyzing Health Policy Advancements

Empowering healthcare stakeholders, bridging the research-practice gap.

Arbor Research gives policymakers, clinicians, and private sector clients the evidence they need to:

Support decision-making

Develop better health policies

Improve safety and effectiveness of treatments and interventions

Achieve better and more equitable patient outcomes

Who we serve

At Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, we value each client relationship and are committed to delivering unparalleled solutions to all those we serve. Our dedication to innovation and impact extends across a wide spectrum of industries and sectors beyond those depicted here.

We are a dynamic team of 100+ interdisciplinary professionals including health services researchers, physicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, health economists, and data scientists. Together, we strive to revolutionize healthcare through our expertise, innovation, and dedication to our clients’ missions and the stakeholders they serve.

Unleashing innovation through our unique organizational structure

Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, a Michigan 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, serves governmental, pharmaceutical, and private/foundation clients to illuminate new pathways in health care. As pioneers of data-driven insights, collaborative research endeavors, and evidence-based solutions, we ignite progress and advance patient-centric health care. To meet the needs of our diverse client base, we feature a distinctive organizational structure. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Arbor Research, LLC , qualifies as a small business and enables us to compete for small business set-aside government contracts, while having access to the extensive resources, experience, knowledge, and proven track record of our parent organization. This relationship is further fortified by our joint focus on health outcomes research, empowering us to shape policy, transform health care, and improve patient outcomes.

Success stories

The great strength of DOPPS global nephrology

By correlating practices and outcomes globally, our DOPPS program identifies best practices and modifiable characteristics that enhance the health and well-being of patients with kidney disease.

Transforming lives through living organ donation

Our collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) is bringing immeasurable impact and renewed hope to those in need.

Arbor Research’s work supports nationwide expansion of CMS’s home health value-based purchasing model

Discover how Arbor Research illuminated the path toward ensuring personalized, effective, and patient-centered care for Medicare and Medicaid patients in their own homes.

Join our passionate team of health innovators

At Arbor Research, we’re driven by a shared passion to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. Join us in advancing knowledge, driving change, and improving lives through our diverse research projects and collaborative culture.

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New Research Brings Fresh Methodological Perspective on Air Pollution and Mental Health

Air pollution’s effects on physical health have been widely acknowledged, with countless studies linking poor air quality to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between air pollution and mental health has been less explored. A new study dives into this emerging field, offering fresh insights into how air pollution could impact our mental well-being.

Air pollution has long been known as a silent killer, responsible for millions of premature deaths each year. The effects of air pollution on physical health, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular health, are well-known. However, a new study emphasizes that the damage extends beyond the lungs and heart and extends to the mind. Researchers are beginning to uncover that exposure to particulate matter (PM) in the air could be linked to a host of mental health issues, including anxiety , depression , and stress .

The study’s authors set out to explore how researchers have historically studied this connection by seeking to find the most preferred methodologies. Their work provides a comprehensive overview of the methods used to investigate air pollution’s potential mental health effects, focusing on adults living in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The study argues that better insights into how air quality affects mental health could lead to improved public health strategies and air quality management, ultimately enhancing well-being on a broader scale.

Mental health is increasingly recognised as a critical component of overall well-being . With mental health disorders becoming a leading cause of disability worldwide , understanding all potential risk factors – including environmental ones – has never been more critical. 

How We Study the Air We Breathe

The study’s central aim was to review the methods used by researchers to link outdoor particulate matter (PM) with mental health outcomes. The authors scoured through literature published between 2010 and 2024, honing in on studies that analyzed the relationship between PM and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in adults. Notably, the research excluded vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women to focus more precisely on the general adult population to potentially introduce a standardized methodology approach that could apply to future research focusing on various cohorts. 

Among the 3,889 papers analyzed initially, only 29 were taken into consideration, as they met the study’s stringent inclusion criteria, which included gathering studies on ambient air pollution and focusing on PM only. These studies covered various countries and employed a range of quantitative methodologies to assess air quality and its potential impacts on mental health.

One of the most intriguing findings of this scoping review is the geographic distribution of the studies. Most research has been conducted in Asia, particularly China, where air pollution, primarily caused by industrial activity, is a significant concern. The country has consequently increased airborne pollutants in places near Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, as well as in places as far away as California in the US due to airborne pollutant travel. Europe also features prominently, while studies in North America and Australia are less common. A notable absence of South American and African studies highlights a critical gap in the global research landscape.

The finding of geographic concentration could be due to the severe air pollution in regions like China, where the effects on mental health might be more pronounced or easier to study. Although China has implemented strong air quality regulations and research , it still struggles with elevated air pollution levels and adhering to the World Health Organization’s recommended limit values for air pollutants. This calls for more research in underrepresented areas to understand how air pollution impacts mental health worldwide.

What We Know: Key Findings From the Reviewed Studies

Most studies reviewed showed a significant negative impact of air pollution on mental health. Specifically, higher levels of particulate matter were consistently associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Of the 29 studies, 27 found a clear link between poor air quality and mental health issues, demonstrating a solid consensus in the literature.

However, two studies did not find a significant correlation, suggesting that while the evidence is strong, it is inconclusive. The new study highlights the need for more research to confirm these findings and to explore the underlying mechanisms that could explain how air pollution affects the brain.

How Researchers Are Measuring Mental Health and Air Quality

The methodologies used to study the relationship between air pollution and mental health vary widely. Most of the reviewed studies relied on quantitative methods, using standardized psychological scales like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to measure symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other studies relied on medical records to gather data on mental health outcomes, while a few employed innovative tools like portable air quality sensors to get real-time exposure data.

The review found that stationary air quality monitoring stations and land-use regression models were the most common methods for assessing air pollution levels. These tools provide robust data on long-term exposure to particulate matter, allowing researchers to make more accurate connections between air quality and mental health.

Gaps in the Current Research

Besides providing valuable insights, the review also highlights significant gaps in the existing research. Most notably, there is a lack of studies focusing on the general adult population, as much of the existing research has concentrated on vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Additionally, there is a need for more longitudinal studies that track mental health outcomes over time, as most current research relies on cross-sectional data, which only provides a snapshot of the situation and the need for studies mainly focusing on qualitative or mixed-method approaches. 

Qualitative research can offer a deeper understanding of health phenomena and a comprehensive picture, especially from an individual perspective . At the same time, a mixed-methods approach could enhance the accuracy and reliability of mental health evaluations.

The authors also call for more research to evaluate mental health outcomes concerning other pollutants. Other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide or volatile organic gasses, warrant consideration in future research. Their potential neurotoxic effects could contribute to a broader understanding of how air pollutants impact the nervous system and mental health. Moreover, studies were lacking in controlling potential confounders, such as meteorological effects , which could influence the observed associations between air pollution and mental health.

Underrepresented regions, particularly in South America and Africa, remain largely unexplored when it comes to the effects of air pollution on mental health. These regions face unique environmental challenges and socio-economic conditions that could influence the relationship between air pollution and mental health differently compared to more industrialized areas.

You might also like: Research Gap: The Geographical Bias of Environmental Data

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

The findings of this scoping review underscore the importance of expanding our understanding of how air pollution affects mental health. Future research should fill the gaps identified in this review , particularly by focusing on the general adult population and conducting more longitudinal studies.

Additionally, integrating qualitative approaches could provide more prosperous, nuanced insights into how individuals perceive and experience the mental health impacts of air pollution. By broadening the scope of research, we can develop more effective public health strategies that address the full range of air pollution’s impacts on well-being.

While evidence on the potential link between air pollution and mental health is growing, much remains to be understood. The authors of the review call for more comprehensive and geographically diverse research to fully uncover the extent of air pollution’s impact on mental well-being. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of air pollution, this research highlights the urgent need to consider the physical and psychological health implications of the air we breathe. By addressing these gaps, we can work towards a future in which cleaner air means healthier lungs and minds.

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The Future of Mental Health at Work Is Safety, Community, and a Healthy Organizational Culture

by Bernie Wong and Kelly Greenwood

Summary .   

A new study exploring the ever-changing landscape of workers’ experiences and perspectives around mental health, stigma, and work has uncovered new insights about how workplace mental health has changed from before, during, and after the pandemic. The findings show that mental health isn’t improving in the U.S., but there are some new bright spots, too. Workers are demonstrating greater awareness around mental health at work and are looking beyond traditional benefits and the latest technologies. What they increasingly want is what the research has always shown works: mentally healthier cultures. The authors break down what employees need and — increasingly expect — from their employers when it comes to mental health support and offer several strategies for leaders to foster sustainable, mentally healthy cultures.

The state of workplace mental health has shifted substantially in the past four years, expedited by the global pandemic, racial justice reckoning, and other macro challenges. Employers have made noteworthy gains since then by providing expanded benefits, meditation apps, mindfulness programs, mental health days, and awareness campaigns. However, these investments on their own aren’t enough.

Partner Center

Senior Research Associate, Knowledge Leadership (Fortification) - SYS-1214

About the role.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Senior Research Associate, Knowledge Leadership (Fortification) to support the Country Offices, Monitoring team and KL team in operational and administrative backstopping of project portfolio of Knowledge Leadership led initiatives. This role will be offered on a 15-month fixed term contract , subject to availability of funding and will be based in Abuja, Nigeria.

The position holder will manage knowledge leadership functions across countries with focus on defined programmatic topics. They will support the design and implementation of activities of Knowledge Leadership(KL) projects, technical and operational backstopping for focus KL projects and support monitoring frameworks.

Key Responsibilities include

• Contribute to the development of learning agendas and the integration of research, evaluation and learning into GAIN country programs and projects.
• Liaise with the project managers and global KL counterpart for periodic and donor reporting on the results framework of projects.
• Develop monitoring protocols in collaboration with monitoring focal persons (who oversee the quality of monitoring data shared by partners, mentor partners on accurate and timely reporting on project deliverables) to ensure alignment with program frameworks, evaluation and learning agenda.
• Provide technical oversight to the implementation of KL activities in collaboration with project managers across project portfolios.
• Manage the implementation of activities with high focus on research as well as strengthening program monitoring of fortification program (Large Scale Food Fortification, biofortification, but may include others), to ensure generation, analysis and sharing data and information on programs in strategically selected geographies.
• Maintain communication with project partners, including government and private sector as well as contracted agencies to ensure timely delivery of project deliverables and dissemination of project outputs.
• Monitor quality of and analyze outputs generated by contracted agencies, consultants and project partners to develop and execute dissemination of the project outputs with relevant global and local stakeholders working on programmatic focus topics.

The ideal candidate should possess experience in research, program monitoring and/or evaluation including the development and operationalization of project M&E frameworks and plans in non-profit sector. Experience in quantitative and qualitative research analysis oriented to nutrition, food systems thematic areas is preferred.

The position holder should have excellent project management skills and experience supporting multiple countries, ability to budget and track activities and write comprehensive reports. Stakeholder management experience is required especially working with partners, government and private sector.

The position holder should hold a master’s level training or equivalent in social sciences/economics/ development economics or related experience.

About our Offer

The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from  NGN 11,087,880 – NGN 12,652,656 gross per annum, depending on experience.

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance. We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible and hybrid working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments, and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Due to COVID19, conflict in Ukraine and climate change, malnutrition and hunger have worsened significantly since 2019, reversing a decade of progress. There is growing recognition that our food systems need to change if we are to reverse these trends.

GAIN’s Strategy aims to transform food systems to make healthier diets from sustainable food systems accessible to all people and especially those whose are most vulnerable to shocks. By 2027, we aim to improve the access of 1.5 billion people to nutritionally enhanced staple foods, improve the access of 25 million people to healthier diets, and support positive food system change in 10 countries. This is bold and complex, and the only way to achieve this is to work together with partners including governments, businesses, and civil society at the country and global level. These goals, and the ways of achieving them, build on our twenty-year legacy of transforming people’s lives with improved nutrition through concerted action and effective policy change.

Our Working Culture and Environment

We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.

All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations. 

GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.

Applicants must have the right to work and be currently based in the advertised country location, to be eligible to apply for this position.

For more detailed information please see the attached job description. To apply, follow the "Apply Now" link.

This advert closes on 3rd October 2024. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued.  We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.

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Brief on the Organization:

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is working towards building a healthier India. It is helping to address the limited institutional and systems capacity in India by strengthening education and training, advancing research and technology and facilitating policy and practice in the area of Public Health.  PHFI is headquartered in New Delhi with national presence through its constituent units of regional Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPHs) and Centers of Applied Research in core public health themes. The Foundation, established in 2006 as a public private initiative, is governed by an independent board comprising of senior government officials, eminent Indian and International academic and leaders, civil society representatives and corporate leaders. For more information, please visit the website www.phfi.org .

The HTAIn Resource centre will have the following objectives:

• To provide capacity building on HTA to individuals, institutions and the Government
• To provide technical assistance on various issues related to HTA to State Governments and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• To complete HTA related studies assigned to it by the Department of Health Research, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
• To publish scientific papers, policy briefs and other document to inform the State and National Government
• To publish communication material on various HTA related issues for use of different stakeholders
• To represent and present results of HTA in National and International conferences, meetings and other fora

• To initiate and complete the literature and systematic reviews independently as required a. To develop complete protocols for each review b. To ensure execution of search strategies c. To ensure completion of data synthesis from the selected articles as per protocol d. To ensure completion of the literature and systematic review reports in consultation with the PI and Co-PIs e. Understanding of conducting meta- analysis • To ensure cost data collection, analysis and completion of costing studies (including health system cost and patient level expenditures) as required in the project • To ensure completion of economic evaluations independently as required in the project a. To ensure completion of economic evaluation protocols b. To ensure preparation of decision analytic models for economic evaluation c. To finalise tools of data collection d. To execute and run models for economic evaluation e. To ensure completion of data analysis for economic evaluations f. To finalise research reports in consultation with all team members, PI and Co-PIs • To complete any other HTA related research independently as may be assigned to the Centre. • To undertake advanced statistical analysis • To develop and deliver training programmes on HTA a. To identify areas for training programmes b. To develop training agenda c. To develop adequate communication material for engaging with potential trainees d. To supervise execution of trainings • To contribute to teaching/training activities as necessary • To liaise with ICMR, DHR and other Government agencies for the purpose of the project • To ensure compliance of reporting guidelines with ICMR/DHR • To coordinate with other staff members including the finance team at PHFI to ensure compliance, reporting and other administrative issues. • To supervise other researchers involved in the project across sites • To supervise training of field workers across sites • To supervise and undertake data collection and supervise data collection sites • To contribute to academic administration activities at IIPH Delhi as necessary. • To develop manuscripts/policy briefs based on the research and prepare for publication • To prepare and deliver presentations of the study in conferences/meetings as necessary. • To complete reports as per donor requirements • Perform any other activities as delegated by the PI/Co-PI

• Masters level qualification in Public health, Health Economics or a related discipline
• Academic qualification in Health Technology Assessment/Economic evaluations
• PhD in health economics or in related disciplines
• Capability of preparing and running decision analysis modelling
• Capability of undertaking and supervising the conduct of systematic reviews/ meta-analysis
• Proficiency in MS Office, STATA (or other statistical software like SPSS, R, etc.), TreeAge, etc.
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in conducting HTA or health economics related research
• Having managed research teams independen

Please note that Annual Salary (CTC) will commensurate with available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process.

Interested and eligible candidates may send their updated CV to [email protected] and fill the application form – https://forms.gle/sbb53rZ4UwCnsMUE8 . Please mention the exact Position Code (IIPHD-SROS-1019) in the email subject line . Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date of Receipt of Applications:  10  October 2024 Remarks :

• Candidates are requested to refer PHFI website for position description & process for applying. Please note only those applications will be considered which are received as per instruction written on PHFI website.
• Candidates should have an excellent academic record, good communication skills, a commitment to high quality graduate / post-graduate education.
• Mere eligibility will not entitle any candidate for being called for interview.
• Persons employed in Government/Semi-Government Organization or Educational Institutions in India must apply through proper channel.
• PHFI reserves the right to fill or not to fill any or all available positions.
• The requirements of minimum qualification and/or experience may be relaxed in the case of candidates with outstanding credentials.
• No correspondence will be entertained from candidates regarding any delays, conduct & result of interview and reasons for not being called for interview.

“ PHFI reserves the sole right to alter/modify/cancel the entire selection process or the position or the vacancy or to disqualify any candidature at any stage of the selection process ”.

Women are encouraged to apply!

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Donate to a Healthier India : Collective effort is required to address the public health challenges we face today. Partner with PHFI and support initiatives to strengthen public health initiatives in India.

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The Power of Thirty Questions: Reflections and Perspectives on the Research Agenda for High Value, Equitable Care

In the second blog of AcademyHealth’s series outlining our collaborative process of developing a research agenda to advance high-value, equitable health care, patient advocate Tara Montgomery shares her perspective on the importance and impact of this work.

Imagine if the answers to  thirty questions could help transform the challenges that we see in the U.S. health care system into high-value, equitable solutions that advance the health and wellbeing of communities. Imagine if those thirty questions were bold enough to spur the redesign of a health system that could become not only equitable and high value but deeply attuned to the needs and experiences of those at the heart of the health care system—patients and families.

Imagine that those questions were designed not only to fill gaps in research but were destined to drive action. Imagine that they drew from shared definitions and a consensus-based framework, built upon a strong base of existing knowledge  and the discovery of relevant new data and insights to inform choices and actions. Imagine that these thirty questions reflected things that matter most to patients and families—not just payers and policymakers—because they had emerged from a thoughtful collaboration between diverse researchers, expert patients and public voices, and leaders in health equity, health systems, health care quality, and social justice. 

Over the past two years as one of approximately fifty contributors to AcademyHealth’s Research Agenda for High Value, Equitable Care funded by the Donaghue Foundation, I’ve witnessed an ambitious and dynamic collaborative effort to use these thirty questions to reimagine and co-create the roadmap for health services research to drive meaningful systems change. From the outset, I was ready to put my trust in a process that was co-chaired by two brilliant Consensus Group leaders— Donna Cryer , Founder of Global Liver Institute and  Elizabeth McGlynn , Senior Vice President for Research & Quality Measurement and Executive Director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Effectiveness & Safety Research—who brought both empathy and evidence to the table, grounded in lived experience and a record of research impact. The Consensus Group itself, including inspiring changemakers like  Somava Saha , President and CEO of We in the World and recognized experts in patient- and family-centered care like  Marie Abraham , Vice President, Programming and Publications at the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, reflected a commitment to elevating patient and community voices while developing the five drivers outlined below that would guide this process:

• A Fair and Just Culture of Whole-Person Health for All
• Care That is Accessible to All Patients
• Health System Centered Around Primary Care
• Adequate Health System Capacity to Deliver Care
• Health System Accountability for Outcomes 

These drivers provided an easy-to-understand guiding framework, supported by a valuable virtual voting tool, which helped us to make sense of our task and center health equity in the generation, refinement, and prioritization of research questions.

You can read more about the five primary drivers, their secondary drivers, and the full set of research questions in this  summary report .

Behind every question on the research agenda is an urgent need and beyond every answer is the opportunity to improve lives. Some of my “favorite” questions demonstrate how the agenda recognizes real-world challenges for patients and families—like this one: How can we move beyond accessibility as it relates to insurance status to studying how people actually access care, e.g., urban vs. rural populations, people’s sense of belonging or lack of belonging in accessing care? Other questions are long overdue, recognizing a barrier to progress in addressing the intersection of value and equity—like this one: What are effective strategies for encouraging health system quality/safety programs to integrate equity into existing frameworks (as opposed to seeing it as something extra)?

The Research Agenda for High Value, Equitable Care is a call to action. Imagine what could happen if funders, researchers, decisionmakers within health systems, and stakeholders who drive the behavior of health systems (such as federal and state policy­makers and regulators, health plans and employers) answered that call! Imagine how this agenda could be taken up with a sense of urgency, complete with funding support for the necessary research infrastructure to accelerate our work!

Change begins with conversations. We can start conversations in our communities about the Research Agenda and its potential impact—reaching beyond the health services research community and across to leaders of medical associations, public policy institutions, civic organizations, and patient partners. We can discuss the agenda with grant-seekers, grant-makers, and funders. As researchers, if our work has been focused primarily on value (or quality or cost or equity), we can use the agenda to guide conversations about how value and equity are dual priorities that cannot be divorced from one another in the real world—and explain why the answers to the thirty questions matter to patients, researchers, and health systems alike. As advocates, we need to challenge decision-makers to seek out new research evidence on high-value, equitable care. The sooner that this research agenda comes to life, the sooner lives can be improved.

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Shots - Health News

A 'golden age' of rat research may be here. what the often unwanted companions can teach us about us.

Nathan Rott

Rat research rejoice

Rats and people have long coexisted. Now research may find out a lot more about them Gary Hershorn/Getty Images hide caption

When ecologist Jason Munshi-South started studying rodents in New York City, more than a decade ago, he was mainly interested in native animals— specifically white-footed mice . He’d visit the city’s parks and try to see how they were moving around and adapting to one of the most urbanized environments on Earth. But he found many New Yorkers he encountered during his fieldwork were more interested in hearing about another rodent.

“Everybody kept asking about rats,” he said.

So Munshi-South set out to answer what seemed like a pretty basic question: “What is a New York City rat? Where did they come from?”

The answer, he found, was complicated.

Rats are one of the most prolific mammals on the planet. Their close, often-fraught relationship with humans have allowed them to spread to pantries, sewers and garbage piles around the world. Domesticated brown rats are a commonly used mammal in laboratories making advancements in medicine and health.

But the history, evolution and ecology of rats – particularly the brown rat – isn’t well understood.

In a new paper published in the journal Science , Friday, Munshi-South and other researchers wrote that with advances in genomics and paleoarchaeology – the study of ancient humans – that’s about to change.

“I think we’re kind of at this cusp of a deluge of information about rats coming from these two fields,” he said.

Information could help scientists understand the first time humans and rats started commingling in East Asia, beginning – for the rats, at least – what would become one of the most successful partnerships in the world. Information could also further illuminate parts of human history like ancient trade corridors and human migrations. Rats have been traveling with and beside humans for thousands of years.

“What is so fun about brown rats and black rats is because they were moved by humans, they are this fun proxy to think about how humans connected as well,” said Emily Puckett , an associate professor at the University of Memphis, who did her postdoctoral research in Munshi-South’s lab and was not involved in the new paper. “If we’re connecting through trade and we’re also moving animals through trade, helping them do range expansion, then that’s saying something about us as well.”

The paper is one of three rat-focused reviews published in a special issue of Science aimed at better understanding what it calls, “our perennial rodent companions.”

The other reviews address emerging patterns in diseases that are able to jump from rodents to humans and a growing understanding, in the scientific community, of how intelligent and empathetic rats are. Studies have shown that rats in laboratory settings will help each other when they’re in distress, raising ethical concerns about their treatment in research.

“We have treated rats and the problems associated with them as a really simple issue. We see a rat, we don’t like it, we kill a rat,” said Kaylee Byers , an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University. “But rats and issues associated with them are incredibly complex.”

To manage them, she said, “We need to not only understand the rat, but we actually also have to understand ourselves and our relationship to rats in order to move towards a healthier coexistence.”

• animal cognition

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