Building the Knowledge Base for Attaining Equitable Health in Poor Countries

In November 2001, the Centre began a major DFID -supported project Building the Knowledge Base for Attaining Equitable Health in Poor Countries. A major problem with international health research is that only about 10% of the global funding is devoted to health problems of low-income countries, which have 90% of the disease burden. In order to achieve improved and equitable health for the poorest populations globally, research priorities and local capacity to conduct research need to match the needs of the poor.

DFID policy is to invest directly and substantially in research that benefits poor people. The project is consistent with DFIDs commitment to supporting the generation of new health knowledge of global or regional significance, and building research capacity in developing countries for pro-poor health research.

Under the project there will be direct benefits for communities participating in the research and receiving related services. There will be indirect benefits for a much wider population when policy and programmes change as a result of the research findings. The Centres staff will benefit from further training and be better able to promote translation of research into policy. Policy makers and staff of organisations involved in the research will gain a greater understanding of the inter-relationship between poverty and health.