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Evidence Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) [1] stands for Evidence Informed Policy Network. The network, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), is geared towards strengthening the links between policy and the results of scientific research for health especially in developing countries. To do this, country or regional teams are organized and involve policy makers, researchers and representatives from other sectors (i.e. science & technology, education and others such as civil society organizations, patient advocates, topic experts, local networks, etc). These teams identify and address country priority topics where a perceived need to strengthen the systematic use of research evidence to inform decisions about policies for health has been identified. EVIPNet therefore includes components relevant to research and to development and is expected to help strengthen national health research systems.

EVIPNet was developed as a response to Resolution 58.34 of the World Health Assembly endorsing the “Mexico Statement On Health Research: Knowledge for better health" from the Ministerial Summit on Health Research 2004 where Ministers of Health and delegates called “for national governments to establish sustainable programs to support evidence-based public health and health care delivery systems, and evidence-based health related policies.”[2] In resolution 58.34 a call was made “to establish or strengthen mechanisms to transfer knowledge in support of evidence-based public health and health-care delivery systems, and evidence-based health-related policies”.

By providing a common purpose to team members EVIPNet facilitates that different sectors jointly address specific priorities and develop and use specific skills to assess research evidence and integrate it into policies. Frequent outputs of EVIPNet teams are policy briefs that integrate evidence with context and values on sucint and helpful documents that inform decisions by high level decision makers.

To join EVIPNet country health authorities establish a formal commitment with the Secretariat and develop a work proposal. The Secretariat of EVIPNet is compossed by staff from the research policy teams of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva and its Regional Offices. The EVIPNet Secretariat supports country teams so that they produce robust proposals. EVIPNet has Steering Groups (in the regional and global network) and resource groups in each region. These groups work with experts and networks to provide feedback and expertise to the country teams.[3]

The Secretariat also works with country teams to identify and address skill needs delivering targeted capacity building activities organized in collaboration with networks and partners.

In March 2009 the EVIPNet Secretariat presented to WHO’s Advisory Committee on Health Research a capacity building strategy that assses with a validated tool knowledge needs with respect to a defined set of skills that EVIPNet teams need, and allows a strategic and organized approach to capacity building.[4]

EVIPNet, which started as an initiative of the World Health Organization, grew out of discussions at the Ministerial Summit on Health Research held in Mexico City, November 16-20, 2004. Developments relevant to EVIPNet are regularly reported to the Advisory Committee on Health Research of the World Health Organization and of its Regional Offices.

To learn from the experience, evaluate its effects and promote continuous improvement, EVIPNet activities and developments are being evaluated using qualitative and quantitative research methods.

As EVIPNet expands and develops it has been highlighted as a worthy strategy featured in prominent strategy documents addressing development and capacity building for research for health and remains relevant as reflected in the call to action issued at the Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health in Bamako in November 2008 by ministers and ministerial representatives from 53 countries. [5]

[edit] Regional Chapters of EVIPNet (coordinated through WHO Regional Offices)

• EVIPNet Western Pacific (Western Pacific Regional office – WPRO),[6] launched in 2005 [7]
• EVIPNet Africa (Africa Regional Office – AFRO),[8] launched in 2006 [9]
• EVIPNet Americas (Americas Regional Office / Pan American Health Organization– AMRO/PAHO)[10] launched in 2007 [11]
• EVIPNet Eastern Mediterranean (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office – EMRO), launched 2009 [12]

[edit] Helpful references

1. Hamid M, Bustamante-Manaog T, Viet Dung T, Akkhavong K, Fu H, Ma Y, Zhong X, Salmela R, Panisset U, Pang T. EVIPNet: translating the spirit of Mexico. The Lancet. 2005; 366(9499):1758-1760 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67709-4 [13]
2. EVIPNet Americas Secretariat, Corkum S, Cuervo LG, Porrás A. EVIPNet Americas: informing policies with evidence. Lancet. 2008 Sep 27;372(9644):1130-1131. [14]
3. HM Government. Health is global: a UK Government strategy 2008-13. Annex 1. Strengthening the way we develop and use evidence to improve policy and practice. Page 76. [15]
4. World Health Organization, 124th Session of the Executive Board. WHO's Role and Responsibilities in Health Research: Bamako Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health. Document EB124/12 Add.2. January 2009. [16]