BMJ  2004;328:826-830 (3 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7443.826

Education and debate

Importance of health research in South Asia

¹ Health Research Systems Analysis Initiative, Research Policy and Cooperation Department, Evidence and Information for Policy Cluster, World Health Organization, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland, ² International Health Faculty, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA, ³ Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, New York, NY 10032, USA

South Asian countries face similar health problems and would benefit from collaboration in health research

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Research is essential to guide improvements in health systems and develop new initiatives.¹ South Asia has a quarter of the world's population, weak public sector health care, and a staggering disease burden, and thus research is particularly important. Although investment has increased in infrastructure for health research over the past decade, gaps remain in evidence to guide reduction of important problems such as communicable diseases, maternal and perinatal conditions, childhood diseases, and nutritional deficiencies.² Furthermore, even when technical knowledge is available, political commitment, managerial competencies, and incentives for changing behaviour within health systems are often lacking.^3-5

Despite diversity in their geographical, linguistic, and political structures, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka face common health challenges. Most bear a triple burden of persisting infectious diseases, increasing chronic conditions, and a growing recognition of injuries and violence. Incomplete demographic transitions, HIV and AIDS, massive unplanned urbanisation, and . . . [Full text of this article]

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Well done BMJ.

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