Evidence: knowledge translation: impact

Evidence. Knowledge Translation. Impact. EVIPNet Evidence-Informed Policy Network Closing evidence-to-policy gaps, improving health outcomes Safe and effective health interventions through knowledge translation Relevant, actionable evidence is the backbone of safe and effective health policies and programmes. In the hands of decision-makers and health actors, the right piece of evidence can improve health outcomes, strengthen health system performance, and act as a stepping stone to achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) triple billion targets and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Yet major challenges persist in bridging gaps between evidence, policy, and practice. Only a fragment of relevant research findings translates into measurable change, and it often takes years for new evidence to impact public policies and improve health interventions. In the evidence ecosystem, strategic collaboration among evidence producers and users is only rarely systematic or institutionalized. Mobilizing evidence for action remains vital to address pressing health challenges and make a real difference for patients and communities. It is a crucial stepping stone towards more equitable, sustainable, and resilient global health. EVIPNet: A global leader in evidence-informed decision-making With over a decade of successful knowledge translation initiatives in more than 50 countries, the World Health Organization’s Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) is a global leader in empowering countries to put actionable evidence in the hands of users. Throughout its global network, EVIPNet supports member countries in working towards: safe and cost-effective health interventions through systematic use of the best-available evidence and participatory decision- making processes. evidence-informed decision-making and enhanced cross- sectoral research collaboration on pressing health issues using the latest tools. advanced knowledge translation capacity and leadership at country level to strengthen crisis resilience and emergency preparedness. sustained local, regional, and global collaboration, peer-support and knowledge exchange across the evidence ecosystem. Closing evidence-to-policy gaps, improving health outcomes Evidence to action. The EVIPNet-approach Evidence-informed decision-making at all stages of the policy process Whether it is to identify a local health issue, design a regional health programme or respond to a global pandemic, EVIPNet’s tried and tested, ready-to-use tools and capacity-building facilitate evidence-informed decision-making for policy formulation and implementation. Tailored tools to translate evidence into action Global health and equity: Triple billion targets & SDGs Identify priority issues Understand health problems, diagnose root causes Design solutions & implementation Design solutions & implementation Implement, monitor, evaluate, adjust Sustain system change Adapt, learn, sustain change Scale-up health and policy interventions, monitor & evaluate, contribute to evidence base Organize deliberative dialogues, engage stakeholders Source, appraise and synthesize evidence, develop policy options and implementation considerations Sustain impact at health system and global levels Priority-setting mechanisms help define an agenda on pressing health issues and relevant health policies at national and local levels. Evidence briefs for policy and other user-friendly formats synthesize research findings and help to frame policy options. Policy dialogues and deliberative forums bring together key players’ tacit know-how and engage them for evidence-informed action. Clearinghouses, observatories and rapid response mechanisms provide timely, high-quality research syntheses to relevant policy problems. Implementation support tools facilitate rapid- learning and quality improvement at the interface of health and research systems. Indonesia “Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the critical need of knowledge translation for strengthening health system resilience. EVIPNet’s toolkit, training and community are essential for scaling up knowledge translation capacity across Indonesia and the Southeast Asian Region.” Dr Yodi Mahendradhata, Vice Dean for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia Uzbekistan “EVIPNet’s hands-on capacity building approach and flexible toolkit enabled us to advance the work on Uzbekistan’s national childhood cancer action plan, building on the best available evidence. The programme of work has gained presidential support and evidence-informed policies and practices are being implemented.” Dr. Elmira Basitkhanova, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan Yemen “As part of a global network and a vivid community of practice in our region, we regularly exchange on lessons learned and best practices in translating evidence to health policy and programmes.“ Huda Basaleem, University of Aden, Yemen EVIPNet success stories from around the world Nigeria “With support from EVIPNet, we managed to bridge the gap between policy-makers and researchers in Nigeria from regional to national level. Our work also increased awareness for the benefits of evidence- to-policy and -practice processes and helped building new trust between research producers and users.” Professor Jesse Uneke, Vice-Chancellor, King David University of Medical Sciences, Nigeria Chile “Our COVID-19 Living Evidence Map demonstrated how an institutionalised knowledge translation platform makes a tangible difference in a global health crisis. It enabled decision-makers to quickly identify evidence gaps and trigger rapid response mechanisms tackling the pandemic at health system level.” Lucy Kuhn Barrientos, Unidad de Políticas en Salud Informadas por Evidencia, Ministry of Health of Chile Empowering local ownership of evidence, health policy and impact At the heart of EVIPNet’s global network are local, multisectoral research advisory bodies called knowledge translation platforms, providing on-demand policy support to pressing national health issues. Drawing on the best available global and local evidence, they design and appraise policy options that can be actioned by policy-makers, health actors, citizens and the media, and serve as a credible knowledge hub facilitating evidence uptake and public trust. At work in countries, across regions, and around the world Building on long-standing relationships across WHO country, regional, and global levels, EVIPNet members are supported by a vibrant community of practice providing peer-support and continuous learning. Hands-on training, coaching, and mentoring complement EVIPNet’s modular capacity building and country support suite. Country teams • build sustainable knowledge translation platforms, • promote national agendas for evidence- informed decision- making Regional • connect national knowledge translation initiatives, • provide technical assistance and facilitate intra- regional peer- support. Global • coordinate and support the global network, and partnership creation, • facilitate network learning and reverse innovation in evidence-informed decision-making in a global community of practice. Country leadership in a global network Innovating knowledge translation, catalyzing impact Areas of Innovation in evidence- informed policy-making Together with members and partners, EVIPNet provides thought leadership to scale-up innovative approaches to knowledge translation and expand its reach with several strategic initiatives: EVIPNet’s comparative advantage and long- standing experience connects key actors across sectors and organisations, supporting and enhancing national knowledge translation capacities and fostering a culture of evidence use for impact. Democratizing evidence through participative policy-making and citizen engagement Building collaborative bridges between sectors and organisations Increasing country capacity and stewardship in evidence-informed decision-making EVIPNet fosters engagement between research producers, policy- makers and implementers, and is furthering participatory decision- making with whole-of- society and whole-of- government approaches, including policy dialogues and citizen engagement. EVIPNet is committed to helping countries take the lead in evidence-informed decision-making by setting up sustainable knowledge translation platforms to tackle a multitude of health issues, promote national policy agendas, and build resilience against future crises. Taking evidence to implementation and action Aiming for impact beyond policy influence, EVIPNet is expanding its focus to include implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health interventions and programmes. © WHO Moldova Country Office" © WHO / Blink Media - Fabeha Monir © WHO © WHO/Blink Media - Etinosa Yvonne World Health Organization Evidence-informed Policy Network 20, Avenue Appia CH-1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland WHO/SCI/RFH/2022.02 © World Health Organization 2022. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO licence Join EVIPNet who.int/evidence evipnet@who.int