HaRP: Research to Use

The United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition's (HIDN) approach to research and the translation/introduction of research into use is the Health Research Program (HaRP).

The objective of HaRP is to identify, develop, and test new/refined tools, technologies, approaches, policies and/or interventions to improve the health status of infants, children, mothers, and families in developing countries. HaRP activities include strategic planning, problem identification and priority setting, and monitoring of investments in research and its introduction into use. HaRP also conducts coordinated and collaborative research to develop new and refined tools, technologies, approaches, policies, and/or interventions. HaRP facilitates the translation/introduction of a select number of key research products into use.

Report to Congress: Health-Related Research and Development Activities at USAID - September 2008 [PDF, 1MB] (requires Adobe Reader)
With this report, USAID provides an update on it's five-year health research strategy outlined in the 2006 Health Related Research Report to Congress. Significant progress has been made in many areas, influencing policies and programming on the ground in real time. Also access the 2006 Report to Congress [PDF, 881KB], and the 2005 Report to Congress [PDF, 2.8MB], which highlights the contribution of USAID Health Research investments to global health programs through 2005.

Five-Year Research Strategies (2006-2010)
Maternal and Newborn Health
Nutrition
Acute Respiratory Infections
Reproductive Health and Family Planning
Tuberculosis
Health Systems Strengthening

The Lancet: Maternal Health Survival Series - October 2006
The Lancet published a landmark series of papers on reducing the burden of maternal mortality in developing countries.

The Lancet: Neonatal Survival Series - March 2005
Supported by USAID, The Lancet published a series of papers devoted to the health of newborns called the "Neonatal Survival Series."

The Lancet: Child Survival Series - May 2003
In February 2003 a six-day workshop was held to refocus the world’s attention on child mortality. The results of this workshop were published as a five-part series in The Lancet.

USAID Staff: Access Health Research Information Tracking (HRIT)
HRIT is an expansion of the Child Health Research database that collects and maintains categorization, description, budgetary, and progress report information on research studies supported by USAID's Bureau for Global Health through their cooperating agreements. To gain access to HRIT, USAID staff should contact Heather Haberle at hhaberle@usaid.gov.

Questions? Contact us at harp@aimglobalhealth.org.

	The leading direct causes of newborn deaths are infections, asphyxia, and complications from prematurity.
	Half of newborn infections-related deaths occur during the first week of life.
	Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects approximately 10 million children under age 5 and contributes to almost 2 million preventable child deaths each year.
	Over 40 percent of preschool-age children in the developing world are anemic, believed to be mostly a consequence of iron deficiency.
	HaRP is dedicated to conducting applied research that identifies, tests and evaluates new technologies and interventions in eight targeted areas to ultimately reduce the mortality and morbidity of children in developing countries and countries in transition.
	Access more facts about maternal and child health.