India faces several major health challenges: high maternal and child mortality rates; chronic malnutrition that affects almost half of the nation's children; a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic; and other infectious diseases.

To address India's public health matters effectively the country's decision makers must have research that supports and informs policies. The USAID-funded India Clinical Epidemiology Network (IndiaCLEN) is a nationwide group of social scientists, clinicians and public health experts who conduct and provide policy-relevant research.

IndiaCLEN research helps guide India's national dialog and policy implementation for surveillance, HIV/AIDS, child health, polio eradication, injection safety and immunization strengthening. The network also has proven effective in advocating for various local, state and national health improvements in India.

IndiaCLEN is divided into several sub-initiatives that focus on health issues that acutely affect India. Descriptions follow:

• Program Evaluation & Health System helps program managers plan future strategies by systematically monitoring and evaluating public and partner-supported health programs through qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Infectious Disease Initiative focuses on research that assists the National AIDS Control Organization design and implement programs at the state level. It also contributes to the national, state and local implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project. In 2006 the initiative will begin work with the National Tuberculosis Control Program to explore quality assurance issues.
• Child Health Initiative looks at child-specific issues such as diarrhea, vaccination, nutrition and pediatric care to better understand challenges, develop solutions, and replicate best practices.
• Neonatal Health Research Initiative helps introduce improved approaches in neonatal care and promotes the rational diffusion of neonatal technology. In 2006, the initiative will begin work on Phase I of the Neonatal Surveillance Project.
• Micronutrient Health Research Initiative explores and identifies strategies to decrease nutrition deficiency – focusing on nutrients that build healthier immune systems such as vitamin A and iron-folate.