46th Session of the Advisory Committee on Health Research (ACHR) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Report to the Director, 2016

ABSTRACT

ACHR members commend PAHO’s Secretariat for the continued progress in all key domains covered by the PAHO Policy on Research for Health; for its ongoing work with strategic partners that significantly expands its reach and visibility in the Americas; and for documenting progress in publications that illustrates the contributions of the ACHR to research for health. This progress is reflected in rich experiences and lessons learned in every objective of the Policy. Going forward, it will be necessary to continue taking stock and considering these milestones to use as benchmarks. The committee considers that in scientific research, PAHO2 (Member States and PASB) will find strategic and effective tools to respond to the challenges they face, such as supporting the SDGs. The general ACHR recommendations include steps to ensure that the PAHO Policy on Research for Health achieves its desired impact and that this impact is measured 1) The research team within PAHO’s Secretariat should continue working with support from the ACHR to integrate indicators assessing the Policy objectives in PAHO’s periodic evaluations. 2) PAHO’s Secretariat should find mechanisms to make reliable and current regional and national data and knowledge about health research systems available to Member States and partners...