The document discusses using data to inform decision-making in health contexts. It notes challenges like fragmented health information systems, low data use capacity, and lack of communication between data producers and users. The document advocates shifting to a new paradigm where stakeholders identify priority decisions and data needs upfront. It also emphasizes facilitating stakeholder involvement in gathering, analyzing and discussing data to jointly make evidence-informed decisions. The overarching goal is to improve health actions and outcomes through better use of relevant data.

1. Meeting Objectives: To share experiences, tools and approaches in using data to inform decision-making. To identify common challenges to using data to inform decisions. To identify priorities for advancing data use. To develop a community of practice.

2. Why Now? The Importance of Evidence-based Decision-making Tara Nutley & Scott Moreland MEASURE Evaluation From Data to Impact: Using Data for Results Symposium Arusha, Tanzania January 28, 2009

3. Setting the Stage Context Response Challenge Changing the paradigm

4. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

5. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

6. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

7. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

8. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

9. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

10. Context HIV epidemic Resurgence of TB Continued prevalence of malaria Pockets of stalled fertility decline Population burden Shortage of health care workers

11. Context Pressing need to develop health policies, strategies and interventions

12. Context Increased financial investments for service delivery Increased accountability requirements Improved national HMIS Increased demand for evaluation and other research New technologies

13. Evidence-based Decision Making Process

14. Level of Dissatisfaction that Policy is Based on Scientific Evidence

15. Challenges Integrated HMIS still not fully functioning Little or no communication between data producers and data users Low capacity to collect, analyze & interpret data Limited or no culture of data use Data collection and use not a priority

16. Response Development of international frameworks that put data use at the center National commitment Project and organizational commitment

17. Changing the Paradigm of Data Demand and Information Use Business Unusual

18. The “traditional way” Top-down approach Data collected with little or no regard to its use Limited stakeholder involvement

19. The ‘traditional steps” Gather data Analyze data Prepare report Disseminate the report [Stakeholders]

20. A New Paradigm Decisions identified first, then what data are needed Transparency Stakeholder involvement

21. The new paradigm steps Identify decision [Stakeholders] identify relevant data [Stakeholders] gather data analyze & discuss results [Stakeholders] make decisions [Stakeholders]

22. There is no single “right way” to use data to support decisions Multiple stakeholders Multiple and/or conflicting goals Different ways to measure success Ambiguous interpretation of what the data mean

23. Decisions are influenced by factors other than information and data. Power and influence of sectional interests; Corruption; Political, cultural or religious ideology; Arbitrariness; Anecdote

24. What can we do? Help to insure that data collected are relevant to decisions Facilitate the involvement of stakeholders in the identification of data needs Insure that decision-makers and stakeholders have access to that information

25. Decisions, decisions…. Problem identification and advocacy Policy making Strategizing and planning Program management

26. Remember…. The ultimate goal is not to gain information, but to improve action.