Inform!Asia:!USAID’s!Health!Research!Program!AA!1!

The program aims to improve health outcomes through evidence-based health research results that inform national health policy and programming. The program's overarching goal is to contribute to improved health outcomes as a result of evidence-based health research results that are used to inform national health policy and programming. The program has two objectives: conducting scientific and operational research with regard to key populations, innovation design, health system strengthening, and the promotion of implementation science in Thailand and Lao PDR; and strengthening the capacity of local institutions to conduct rigorous health research. The program's activities focus on building local capacity among local service-delivery sites and researchers in Thailand and Lao PDR in the areas of research implementation, economic assessment, and qualitative research. The program's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan includes indicators that track progress towards the program's objectives. One of the indicators is the number of policies monitored through Policy Tracking Tables (PTTs), which is an absolute number. The program aims to track 15 policies, with a baseline of 0 and a target of 15. The program also aims to produce and disseminate 0 research reports in the first quarter, with a target of 0. Another indicator is the number of health policies influenced by the activity, assessed at "official government endorsement" (stage 4) or above, according to the six-stage model used to track progress along a continuum. The program aims to influence 0 policies, with a target of 0. The program also aims to strengthen the capacity of local institutions to conduct rigorous health research, with a target of 30 new health workers graduating from pre-service (and in-service) institutions or training programs. The program's activities in Lao PDR are focused on conducting research and building local capacity. The program has established a Center of Excellence (COE) in Inform Asia, which is jointly supported by RTI International and the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (TRCARC). The COE will manage nine research activities, which will contribute to strengthening HIV policy, programming, and financing in Thailand and Lao PDR. The program's quarterly report for the period of September 1 to December 31, 2015, provides an update on the program's progress towards its objectives. The report highlights the program's achievements, challenges, and plans for the next quarter. The program's achievements include the establishment of the COE and the initiation of research activities. The program's challenges include the need to strengthen local capacity and to ensure the sustainability of the program's activities. The program's plans for the next quarter include the continuation of research activities, the strengthening of local capacity, and the dissemination of research findings to stakeholders. The program also plans to conduct a midterm evaluation to assess its progress towards its objectives. Overall, the program's quarterly report provides a comprehensive update on its progress and plans, and highlights its commitment to improving health outcomes in Thailand and Lao PDR through evidence-based health research results.