Our research looks at how health systems policies can be designed and implemented effectively to benefit the poorest people. We do this by combining analytical frameworks drawn from economics and policy analysis.

Research focuses on four themes:

•   health sector reform
•   financial risk protection
•   health workforce performance
•   scaling-up

Research questions and projects have been developed through discussions with policymakers and other stakeholders. This process has ensured that we identify appropriate questions and respond to the demands for knowledge from research users.

We will compare and analyse research findings from the different countries in the consortium. This will help to assess the extent to which findings from one setting apply to others, and help judge which policies and implementation approaches are likely to be effective in different contexts.

Achievements so far

CREHS has made good progress in the research programme. Research and analysis on health sector reform has been completed and the results will be published soon. CREHS studies on financial risk protection have begun in four countries, and the programme of research around health workforce performance has been developed.

Although it is too early to see specific impacts of CREHS research, there are a number of instances where CREHS-related findings have been applied to policy and practice and also evidence that policymaker attitudes are being influenced.

• In Thailand, the government has taken the decision to include renal replacement therapy in the Universal Coverage insurance benefit package as a consequence of research demonstrating the catastrophic impact on the poor of treatment seeking associated with end-stage renal failure.

• Evidence from the evaluation of the Tanzania National Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) Voucher Scheme showing the persistent socioeconomic and urban-rural differentials in ITN ownership and use, has helped influence the geographic targeting of the national under-five catch-up campaign. Free distribution of nets to all children under five will start with the poorest and most isolated parts of the country.

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