The Health Policy Project ended in 2016. Work continued under Health Policy Plus (HP+) until 2022.
Policy
Health Policy Project/Jordan
Overview
Policy pays off. Sound policies lay the foundation for strong health systems and contribute to improved governance and accountability. Policy affects the cost, quality, and availability of health services. Stronger health policies can contribute to better programs with better outcomes.
The policy process is dynamic, and effective policies must respond to changing circumstances and emerging challenges. New problems require new policy solutions or changes to existing measures. These changes must be formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated, often resulting in the identification of further areas of need.
With policy environments constantly evolving, there is an ongoing need for national institutions, civil society, and individuals to engage in the policy process. This level of engagement is key to the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based policies for family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH), HIV, and maternal health. It can also help reform the policymaking process to make sure people have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives and health.
What We Do
The Health Policy Project (HPP) champions participatory policy processes that help hold governments accountable for meeting the health needs of all people, including marginalized groups. HPP facilitates policy change, and—more important—works to ensure that our country partners and groups committed to health systems strengthening have the knowledge and expertise they need to drive positive policy change well into the future. We
- Assist countries to devise and put in place evidence-based policies to support FP/RH, HIV, and maternal health programs and strong health systems
- Address barriers to program delivery and program integration
- Help put national policies and plans into practice in regions, states, and districts
- Help countries adopt and reform policies to address structural conditions— such as poverty, gender-based violence, stigma, or low male partner involvement—that contribute to poor health outcomes
- Build the capacity of those most affected by policy decisions—including women, people living with HIV, the poor, youth, and most-at-risk populations—to engage in the policy process
- Bring new players into the policy arena to improve health outcomes, including non-health ministries, the private sector, faith-based organizations, local authorities and leaders, and NGOs and civil society
- Develop and share tools for policy analysis
- Assist policymakers and planners to gather, analyze, and use data to inform decision making, monitor programs, and identify needed course corrections
Publications and Resources
Policy Analysis for Key Populations at Risk of HIV Infection in Togo
This USAID-funded assessment, conducted in Togo, is the second country application of HPP and African Men for Sexual Health and Rights' (AMSHeR) Policy Analysis and Advocacy Decision Model for HIV-Related Services: Males Who Have Sex with Males, Transgender People, and Sex Workers.
Health Policy Project Policy Activities and Accomplishments - 2012
Linking Health Policies with Health Systems and Health Outcomes: A Conceptual Framework
This conceptual framework, prepared by the Health Policy Project, is designed to show the flow from health-related policy development to health-related policy and program implementation.
HIV Policy Analysis and Advocacy Decision Models for Key Populations
The model identifies policies that most directly affect access to key services and opportunities to improve access.
The Policy Dimensions of Scaling Up Health Initiatives
Working paper examining policy issues associated with scaling up family planning and maternal, neonatal, and child health programs.
Designing an Effective HIV Discrimination Monitoring, Reporting, and Referral System: International Best Practices and Current Policy, Practice, and Opportunities in Ukraine
This report brings together known international best practices, research on relevant, existing legal codes and systems in Ukraine, and information from consultations with key stakeholders to determine priorities and approaches for monitoring discrimination.
Integrating Gender into the Scale-up of Family Planning and Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Programs
Working paper analyzing whether gender factors in planning and scaling up programs improve the effectiveness of that process.
Approach for Addressing and Measuring Policy Development and Implementation in the Scale-Up of Family Planning and Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Programs
This document presents a programming approach designed to help countries advance the integration and measurement of policy development and implementation into the scale-up of family planning and maternal, neonatal, and child health interventions and best practices.
Scaling Up Policies, Interventions, and Measurement for Stigma-Free HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Services
Working paper focusing on the scale-up of policies and interventions to reduce stigma in healthcare facilities.
Brief: Achieving the Demographic Dividend in Malawi
Examination of how investments in family planning improves health outcomes and strengthens the impact of other development initiatives in Malawi.
HIV Policy Assessment: Ukraine
Report examining possibilities for developing effective mechanisms to support the implementation and enforcement of HIV-related regulations in Ukraine.
Targeting Resources and Efforts to the Poor: Applying the Equity Framework: A Case Study of Jharkhand, India
Case study in one of India’s poorest states where health planners applied the Equity Framework to to enable low-income women to access reproductive health services.
The Art of Moving from Policy to Action: Lessons Learned from the USAID | Health Policy Initiative (2005-2010)
Paper demystifies "policy implementation" and provides user-friendly advice on how to translate policies into action with and lessons learned from the USAID | Health Policy Initiative.
Tools
The GAP Tool: Gather, Analyze, Plan
HIV Costing and Modeling Tools
Taking the Pulse of Policy: The Policy Implementation Assessment Tool
