The synoposis outlines the report, which is based on a review of systematic reviews of the effects on health of health systems strengthening (HSS) and presents a significant body of evidence linking HSS interventions to measureable impact on health for vulnerable people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Making decisions on who delivers health services and where and how these services are organized is important to achieve priority health goals such as Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD), fostering an AIDS-Free Generation (AFG), and Protecting Communities against Infectious Diseases (PCID). The findings of this report document the value of investing in HSS.

Leaders in low- and middle-income countries require timely and compelling evidence about how to strengthen their health systems to improve the health and well-being of their citizens. Yet, evidence on how to strengthen health system performance to achieve sustainable health improvements at scale, particularly toward Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD), fostering an AIDS-Free Generation (AFG), and Protecting Communities against Infectious Diseases (PCID) is limited. The evidence that does exist is scattered, insufficiently analyzed, and not widely disseminated. Without evidence, decision-makers lack a sound basis for investing scarce health funds in health systems strengthening (HSS) in an environment of competing investment options.

USAID’s Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project improves health in developing countries by expanding people’s access to health care. Led by Abt Associates, the project team works with partner countries to increase their domestic resources for health, manage those precious resources more effectively, and make wise purchasing decisions. 

Read the full report.