Overview

	This year, more than 7 million children will die before they turn 5. Learn about USAID's new 5th Birthday campaign to end preventable child deaths.

USAID Support in Health Systems Strengthening

USAID’s health systems strengthening program provides support to ensure that developing country health systems are effective, efficient, and equitable. Working health systems are vital to ensure widespread use of effective health measures.

Fundamentally, a working health system improves health. It delivers the right volume and distribution of services using good provider-client interactions. It operates at the community, local, and national levels. A working health system uses effective organizations and processes. It engages households, governments, the private sector, donors, and global initiatives. It reaches priority groups, including the poor, women, children, urban and rural residents, and the acutely and chronically ill. It responds to people’s needs, protects them from risk, and operates efficiently. It combats priority health issues such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal, child, and reproductive health. It works fairly, responsively, and effectively, and offers choice. It employs appropriate incentives and is characterized by strong political will and a viable vision.

Health systems strengthening is a continuous process of implementing changes in policies and management arrangements within the health sector. This process, whether guided by individual governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), or donor agencies, is under way in many countries as their populations’ needs change and grow. Read more on USAID's health systems strengthening.

Related Links

• Read about USAID’s achievements in health systems strengthening.
• Learn more about USAID's research activities.
• Learn more about the core functions of a working health system.
• Health Systems Resources and Publications
• News and Events on Health Systems
• USAID Country Programs in Health Systems