Poor living conditions. Gender and social discrimination. Overstretched public services. Weak data systems. Inadequate health care. Improving health in developing countries takes more than groundbreaking vaccines and new hospitals. It also requires stronger health systems and a profound understanding of the root causes of the problem, such as social and economic inequities that fuel poverty, and governance issues that hinder change.

IDRC’s Governance for Equity in Health Systems program funds research in developing countries that helps to redress health inequities and improve health services, systems, and policies, for all.

We believe that equitable health systems help build healthy societies.