Population Science of Maternal and Child Survival. (360G-Wellcome-085417_Z_08_Z)

Since 1990, in sub-Saharan Africa and many populations in south Asia, there has been almost no progress with Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 to improve maternal survival, and a plateauing in the decline in under five mortality rates (MDG 4). Neonatal mortality rates remain stubbornly high. This strategic award programme has three objectives. Building upon existing trials, it will develop a global network of linked epidemiological surveillance sites in Bangladesh, India, Malawi and Nepal to study maternal and child health and survival in high mortality populations. The award will strengthen our network capacity to conduct meta-analyses and cross-country comparisons of data, especially for maternal mortality, to improve understanding of coverage, access and equity of uptake of maternal and newborn care, to collect longitudinal cohort data on growth and development among children, and to analyse linkages between health outcomes and proximate indicators such as poverty, social capita l and the strength of local health systems. Second the award will strengthen capacity to translate research evidence into policy and practice in partner countries and through international agencies. Third, it will strengthen capacity of partner institutions to design, manage and communicate high quality policy-relevant research, especially through south-to-south dialogue and peer-learning.