Conducting and Applying International Research and Evaluation

January 5, 2017

Governments and international donors are increasingly relying on applied research to more accurately identify what works and what doesn’t, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the impact of development assistance.

Abt Associates’ International Health team boasts a long record of rigorous, applied research spanning many technical areas, including health systems strengthening, infectious diseases, family planning and reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health. Four new publications, summarized below, capture our recent research in these technical areas.

“We are one of the only organizations working in development with a research-to-action approach. That is, we leverage our skills in research and program implementation for maximum impact,” said Diana Silimperi, M.D., Abt division vice president for International Health.

“This way, our work is informed by data that helps us continually learn, innovate, and improve the life-saving programs for which we are responsible,” Silimperi said.

Health Systems Strengthening

Abt’s research on health systems strengthening (HSS) in low- and middle-income countries covers central health systems building blocks, such as health financing, service delivery, health information systems (HIS), human resources for health, and health governance. In particular, Abt’s research highlights the impact of HSS on health outcomes and universal health coverage. This brief synthesizes IHD’s research findings in the area of HSS since 2012. Read the document.

Infectious Diseases

We also have examined the impact and cost effectiveness of programs that aim to prevent and treat infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, our staff has evaluated interventions related to improving service delivery and financing for prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Read the document.

Family Planning & Reproductive Health

This overview focuses specifically on evaluations and research studies by Abt’s international health staff that examined a wide range of issues and interventions related to demand for and supply of family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) services in low- and middle-income countries. Read the document.

Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

This synthesis examines a variety of studies on maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services including needs assessments, evaluations, literature reviews, and other types of research conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Read the document.

In addition, Abt research experts are developing new methods to expand the possibilities for research and evaluation. We have a long history evaluating programs in education, U.S. and global health, housing, and other areas.

Read more about Abt’s research and evaluation work: