Disseminating Urban Health Models for Scaling (Thematic Note: Evidence Building)

The document focuses on the importance of adopting evidence-based approaches in public health, especially within the context of urban health interventions. SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education, and Health Action) emphasizes the need to apply scientific reasoning in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs. The organization faces challenges such as limited resources and knowledge, which can hinder the use of evidence-based decision-making. Despite these challenges, SNEHA is committed to consolidating its learning and translating it into effective urban health models.

SNEHA's operating principles revolve around research, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) as the core components of their program implementation. Their centralized M&E framework ensures that program outcomes are assessed, reported, and that evidence is generated for scalable urban health interventions. This evidence is intended to improve service delivery, inform public health policies, and empower women and their families in urban slums.

The document also highlights SNEHA's impact and achievements, including their ability to directly implement programs and conduct research. SNEHA has partnered with organizations like the University College of London to conduct research projects, including randomized control trials. Their Maternal and Newborn Health program, developed in collaboration with the government, has been successfully implemented across several municipal corporations in Mumbai, leading to improved maternal health outcomes. The dissemination event aims to share SNEHA's experience in building evidence-based urban health models with a broader audience.