METHODS AND TOOLS
VERBAL AUTOPSY
Extending Health Statistics
We have developed a new 'circumstances of mortality' classification system providing information on critical limiting factors arising from social and health systems contexts;. The research has introduced a system to record new information in routine health surveillance on factors such as transport and hospital admissions. In resource-poor settings these processes can play a critical role in survival, and documenting them provides important information for health service provision.
PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH (PAR)
Enabling Community Voices
We have developed understandings of the social issues affecting health, and how these affect people's interactions with care. Participatory Action Research provides a route to involve those in the greatest need in health services. This can empower disadvantaged groups to have more of a say in health systems, in turn strengthening people's abilities to protect and promote their health.
LEARNING PLATFORM
Embedding learning in health systems
We work closely with the provincial and district Department of Health to understand evidence gaps, develop research questions and processes, and to consider what data are telling us, and how changes can be implemented to respond to the issues identified. We have recently extended the platform the Departments including Water and Sanitation, Education and Social Development, acknowledging the complexity of many health issues, and the implications for multi-sectoral action.