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Dear EBHers, I invite you all to join us for a new discussion series on the HIFA forums: <http://www.hifa2015.org/evidence-informed-policy-and-practice/>http://www.hifa2015.org/evidence-informed-policy-and-practice<http://www.hifa2015.org/evidence-informed-policy-and-practice/>/ Announcing launch of new HIFA Programme: Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice Financially supported by TDR, the Special Programme on Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Lancet. Health research globally has increased exponentially in the last few decades. Improved health systems that increase access to care are dependent on the successful translation of this research evidence into policy and practice. However, bridging the gap between researchers, policy-makers and health workers who implement the policies into practise is challenging, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The global initiative Healthcare Information For All (HIFA), supported by the WHO, TDR and The Lancet, is launching the first of three discussions, Evidence-informed country-level policy-making, on 22 February 2016. This will explore drivers and barriers to the uptake of evidence into policy and practice, what has worked and what has not worked in different contexts, and how these challenges could be better addressed in the future (e.g. capacity building, access initiatives, raising awareness of key information sources). Future discussions will explore challenges of policymaking and implementation around specific health issues (please contact us if you would like to propose a specific issue). HIFA is a global network that includes more than 15,000 health professionals, policy-makers, researchers, systematic reviewers, international/national guideline developers, publishers and information professionals in 175 countries, interacting on 5 virtual forums in 3 languages (English, French and Portuguese). The discussion will start on the main HIFA forum (English) and, in parallel, on CHIFA (child health and rights), HIFA-French, HIFA-Portuguese and HIFA-Zambia. The discussion will continue to the end of March 2016, when the content will be summarised and made widely available. Questions for discussion: 1. What is evidence-informed policymaking? Why do countries need it? 2. How is policy currently made in different countries? 3. What are the key challenges for policymakers? 4. What mechanisms are in place to support policymaking in your country? Which organisations provide support globally and nationally? 5. What needs to be done at global and country level to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking? We are especially keen to share and learn from the practical experience of policymakers, researchers and knowledge brokers, including case studies from different countries. We invite everyone who cares about health to join HIFA, share your experience, and learn from others in this free discussion forum. More information, including how to sign up for the Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice discussion: <http://www.hifa2015.org/evidence-informed-policy-and-practice/>http://www.hifa2015.org/evidence-informed-policy-and-practice/ Contact: Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] 17 February 2016 Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh MB,BS, DCH, DRCOG HIFA Coordinator Co-director, Global Healthcare Information Network Chair, Dgroups Foundation (www.dgroups.info) Corner House, Market St Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3PN, UK Tel: +44 (0)1608 811899 E: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] W: www.hifa.org S: neilpw1 Tw: @HIFA_org F: HIFAdotORG The HIFA Vision: A world where every person and every health worker has access to the healthcare information they need to protect their own health and the health of others Join HIFA: a network of more than 15,000 people committed to improve the availability and use of health information in low and middle income countries, in collaboration with WHO: HIFA, CHILD2015, HIFA-Portuguese, HIFA-French, HIFA-Zambia: www.hifa.org With thanks to our financial contributors for 2015: British Medical Association (main funder), Africa Health, Afro-European Medical & Research Network, Anadach Group, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Awojobi Clinic Eruwa, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Children for Health, Commonwealth Nurses Federation, Council of International Neonatal Nurses, eCancer, Elsevier, Friends Of Chitambo, Global Health Media Project, Haiti Nursing Foundation, HealthProm, Intel Corporation, International Child Health Group, International Foundation for Dermatology, International League of Dermatological Societies, International Society for Social Paediatrics and Child Health, IntraHealth International, Joanna Briggs Institute, Knowledge Transfer Africa Ltd, The Lancet, LiveWell Initiative, mPowering Frontline Health Workers, Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba, Network for Information and Digital Access, Partnerships in Health Information, Physicians for Haiti, Public Library of Science (PLOS), Quality + Care Solutions, Royal College of Midwives, The Test Foundation, The Mother and Child Health and Education Trust, WHO Collaborating Centre for Knowledge Translation & Health Technology Assessment in Health Equity, Wiki Project Med Foundation, Your.MD, Zambia UK Health Workforce Alliance.