The Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU) is committed to building stronger health and social-care systems in South Africa, Africa and globally through collaborative health-policy and systems research that promotes equity and transformation. Our research contributes to national, regional and international evidence-informed health and social policy decision-making and health systems with the aim of advancing Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care.  This involves multidisciplinary, intersectoral research across several areas of the health system (private-public sector, health facilities, schools, community) and along the life course. We have teams leading work with vulnerable populations – newborn, maternal and child health; sexual reproductive health; and in specific disciplines including social policy; health economics; evidence synthesis and knowledge translation.

We work in five thematic areas:

• Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
  Understanding health-system requirements for the optimal delivery of community and primary care services for women, newborns, and children.
• Social policy and health
  Strengthening social-protection interventions and policies to promote health and well-being of children and their caregivers.
• Health Economics
  Using health-economics analytical tools to contribute to decision-making about investments in health systems including human resources and health programmes, interventions and services.
• Evidence Synthesis and Knowledge Translation
  Strengthening national healthcare decision-making systems in support of Universal Health Coverage, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through 1) conducting rigorous, relevant evidence syntheses—including qualitative and quantitative systematic reviews— and methodological research; and 2) building capacity to access, understand, and use evidence to inform health and social care decisions. Our work also aims to advance the science and practice of knowledge translation, including strategies and evaluations that promote the uptake and use of evidence by decision-makers.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health 
  Promoting universal access to sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing including mental-health services by conducting research that advances understanding of risk factors and vulnerabilities, as well as barriers and facilitators to accessibility and use of services and programmes, and to inform interventions and policies promoting UHC for vulnerable populations.  

We have expertise in a range of study designs, methodologies, and processes including: