A Focus on Development & Uptake of Evidence Briefs for Policy

RADAAR and the WHO’s ‘Evidence-Informed Policy Network’ (EVIPNet) developed and piloted an accelerated approach to strengthening national/regional capacities to translate AMR data and evidence into effective policies. Technical assistance was provided by the Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center (WHO Collaborating Center for Evidence-Informed Policy and Practice) based at the American University of Beirut. The pilot countries – Bangladesh, Malawi, Nepal, and Uganda – participated in 15 training sessions through 8 webinars – including presentations, case studies, and group discussions/exercises – during August-November 2022, and developed country-/context-specific ‘Evidence Briefs for Policy’.

The pilot initiative helped countries to be able to:

  1. Develop, adapt, and pilot an efficient and effective capacity-building methodology and tools for strengthening national and regional capacities for translating AMR data and evidence into compelling policy briefs and policy advocacy strategies.
  2. Generate demand from policy/decision-makers for sharing and analyzing policy-relevant data and evidence to inform AMR national and regional policymaking.
  3. Develop a model and ‘scale-up’ plan based on lessons from the pilot initiative, and make the process and methodology available to all 22 Fleming Fund priority countries.

The main expected outcomes of the pilot initiative were strengthened capacities within the selected countries to translate relevant AMR data and evidence into effective policies and policy actions, as evidenced through:

  • Improved levels of AMR data sharing and analysis across key stakeholders and sectors
  • Increased demand by policy and decision-makers for policy-relevant AMR data and evidence
  • Improved uptake and demand by policy and decision-makers for issue-specific AMR policy briefs

Next steps
Training participants highlighted that they anticipate being able to utilize the new EVIP skills (75% in the post-training Online Survey), for example in:

  • Initiating Policy Dialogues
  • Converting research to policy: to make an effective case to policymakers
  • Framing problem statements to address health sector gaps
  • Drafting One Health policy briefs
  • Advocating for enhanced NAP implementation
  • Conducting further research on AMR

Through the EVIP training, the four pilot countries developed their Evidence Brief for Policy (EBP). All participants are agreed that the EBP must be purposefully disseminated as widely as possible, including to policy stakeholders. Country teams are committed to using their EBPs in the following ways:

  • Dissemination: publication in different formats for different audiences (policy-makers, health sector, patients, media, general public)
  • Presentation: at high-level meetings/fora, Technical Committees, Working Groups
  • As a learning resource in academia
  • For awareness programmes aligned with the National Action Plan
  • As an advocacy tool for highlighting AMR as a health priority, and for securing funding and mobilizing resources

Download links:
Bangladesh EBP | Malawi EBP | Nepal EBP | Uganda EBP

Webinar 1. Overview of Policy-making Process and Role of Evidence in Health Policy-making

Webinar 2. Mapping of Policy/Political Context and Key Stakeholders

Webinar 3. Harnessing Best Available Research Evidence for EBPs: What, Where and How?

Webinar 4. Framing the Problem for EBPs: A Science and a Craft

Webinar 5. Framing Viable Policy Options to Address a Problem: A Step by Step Guide

Webinar 6. Closing the loop: From Policy Options to Implementation Considerations

Webinar 7. Post-EBP uptake phase: Policy Dialogues, Visualization & Role of Media

Webinar 8. Simulation Meeting: Presentation of Formative EBP