Exemplars in Global Health

29/07/2025

Anemia is both preventable and treatable. Research from Exemplars in Global Health provides data-backed analysis on how Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, and Uganda reduced rates of anemia among women of reproductive age. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta of SickKids Centre for Global Child Health says their success is replicable as long as policymakers keep women’s health and well-being front and center.

Read the full interview ➡️ https://bit.ly/45oJt0m

Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta said anemia needs to be tackled holistically.

24/07/2025

Between 2006 and 2016, one in ten non-pregnant women with anemia successfully overcame the condition. Our research on anemia among women of reproductive age showed six broad factors were largely responsible for bringing anemia rates down over this interval:

► Family planning
► Malaria control
► Broader socio-economic improvements
► Maternal nutrition
► Women's empowerment
► Healthcare utilization

Learn how Uganda implemented programs and policies to reduce anemia ➡️https://bit.ly/4fbNGIo

Thank you to our partners at SickKids Center for Global Child Health and Makerere University School of Public Health for their collaboration.

22/07/2025

They look like ketchup packets, but they have the power to reduce severe wasting and stunting and save babies’ lives. What are they?

Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements ( ). One small packet contains milk powder and nutrient-dense foods that add essential fatty acids and 22 vitamins and minerals to any meal. Countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Pakistan are using SQ-LNS as a low-cost way to improve nutrition nationwide.

Exemplars News spoke with Dr. Kathryn Dewey, who led development of the supplements, and Shawn Baker, Chief Program Officer for Helen Keller Intl, on how this simple solution can save lives.

Read the full story here ⬇️

Global health data that drives change. We study positive outliers to inform global health research, policy, and practice.

17/07/2025

Exemplars in Global Health has transitioned to our new home at the Gates Foundation. If you’re new here, allow us to introduce ourselves.

10/07/2025

Rwanda Health has made incredible progress rebuilding the national health system following the country’s civil war in 1994. New Exemplars in Global Health research tracks this 18-year journey to transform Rwanda’s primary health care system.

Read the full research led by University of Rwanda and Clinical Information Network - KEMRI / Wellcome Trust Programme, to learn more about how the Ministry of Health reconstructed its health system in two phases:

► Emergency/transition phase (1994-2003): Leaders invested in rebuilding health infrastructure and increasing the number of health workers.

► Development phase (2005-present): Rwanda created strategic plans to meet health priorities, including increasing access to essential medicines and vaccines and expanding the geographic reach of health services.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/407i28v

27/06/2025

🚨 New research alert 🚨 In the 1990s, Rwanda’s civil war and genocide destroyed much of the country’s social and political infrastructure, including its health system. Since then, Rwandan officials have worked to rebuild a functional, trusted health system and have achieved significant improvements in primary health care (PHC) coverage and health outcomes nationwide. How did they do it? By following three pathways⬇️

24/06/2025

As part of our ongoing interview series with fellows from the International Program in Public Health Leadership (IPPHL), epidemiologist Dr. John Kamulegeya discussed his journey from a neonatal intensive care unit to the front lines of vaccine policy in Uganda. Key highlights include:

20/06/2025

Primary healthcare is the most inclusive, equitable, cost-effective, and efficient approach to improving health, offering the potential to save millions of lives. What is required to build, implement, and maintain sustainable health systems? Read best practices at in Global Health: http://bit.ly/3G3i8ak

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine University of Rwanda Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia The University of Zambia -UNZA University of Ghana, Legon
icddr,b Clinical Information Network - KEMRI / Wellcome Trust Programme

18/06/2025

When adolescent girls can make independent decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health, their overall well-being improves. Despite progress worldwide, challenges like adolescent pregnancy and child marriage still stand in the way of millions reaching their full potential.

The research project explores how six countries – Cameroon, Ghana, India, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda – have made significant progress on these issues and more. Here’s how ⬇️

16/06/2025

Nepal’s National Safe Motherhood Program has helped the country achieve remarkable reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality.

Over the course of several Safe Motherhood plans, the country has expanded the number of health care facilities, strengthened its CHW and health workforce, and developed targeted policies with financial incentives, including the removal of user fees. These programs have contributed to the reduction in maternal mortality ratio from 504 to 174 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births from 2000 to 2020. Over this period, the neonatal mortality rate has also declined rapidly from 58 to 16 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Countdown to 2030

11/06/2025

What’s critical to advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights ( )? According to youth advisors Vaibhav and Urja, the “collective silence” on the topic must be broken – and young people must be brought to the table.

“The best support others in the field could provide us is to make space for young people,” Vaibhav said. “They can ensure ... their voices are heard, and their opinions are actually valued.”

Read the interview in full: https://bit.ly/3FFBzpC

African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

09/06/2025

“Progress is hiding in plain sight.” That’s how Liz Lum, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights ( ) youth advisor, described the Exemplars in Global Health positive outlier model – which is shining light on the progress six countries (Cameroon, Ghana, India, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda) have made to improve the lives of young people.

Meet youth advisors Liz and Faith below ⬇️