Description of maternal and neonatal adverse events in pregnant people immunised with COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy in the CLAP NETWORK of sentinel sites. Nested case-control analysis of the immunization-associated risk: A study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is associated with higher morbimortality in pregnant people compared with non-pregnant people. At present, the benefits of maternal immunisation are considered to outweigh the risks, and therefore, vaccination is recommended during pregnancy. However, additional information is needed on the safety of the vaccines in this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This a retrospective cohort nested case-control study in pregnant people who attended maternity hospitals from eight Latin American and Caribbean countries. A perinatal electronic clinical history database with neonatal and obstetric information will be used. The proportion of pregnant people immunised with COVID-19 vaccines of the following maternal and neonatal events will be described: preterm infant, small for gestational age, low birth weight, stillbirth, neonatal death, congenital malformations, maternal near miss and maternal death. Moreover, the risk of prematurity, small for gestational age and low birth weight associated with exposure to COVID-19 vaccines will be estimated. Each case will be matched with two groups of three randomly selected controls. Controls will be matched by hospital and mother's age (±3 years) with an additional matching by delivery date and conception time in the first and second control groups, respectively. The estimated required sample size for the main analysis (exposure to any vaccine) concerning 'non-use' is at least 1009 cases (3027 controls) to detect an increased probability of vaccine-associated event risk of 30% and at least 650 cases (1950 controls) to detect 30% protection. Sensitivity and secondary analyses considering country, type of vaccine, exposure windows and completeness of immunisation will be reported. ETHICS: The study protocol was reviewed by the Ethical Review Committee on Research of the Pan American Health Organization. Patient informed consent was waived due to the retrospective design and the utilisation of anonymised data (Ref. No: PAHOERC.0546.01). Results will be disseminated in open access journals.

Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on women ́s care in an abortion situation in Latin America and the Caribbean / Análisis del impacto de la pandemia del COVID-19 en la atención de las mujeres en situación de aborto en América Latina y el Caribe / Análise do impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre a atenção a mulheres em situação de aborto na América Latina e Caribe

Objective: to understand the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on aspects of quality of care provided to women in abortion situations in sentinel centers of the CLAP MUSA-Network (a multicenter network with international cooperation with the aim of encouraging good practices in Latin America and the Caribbean). Methods: cross-sectional study between January/2017 and December/2021 with women of any age admitted for abortion or miscarriage. We analyzed the total number of cases and the proportion of legal abortions. The dependent variables were complications and use of contraceptives after abortion. The independent variables were COVID-19 pandemic, clinical and sociodemographic data. Statistical analysis was carried out using linear regression, multiple Poisson regression, Cochran-Armitage, chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Cohen tests. Results: we analyzed data from 93689 women assisted in 12 sentinel centers of the CLAP MUSA-Network, 64.55% in the pre-pandemic period (NP) and 35.45% in the pandemic period (PP) (22.73% received post-abortion care and 77.27% legal abortion). We found no differences in the number of cases over the period, regardless of the legal context. We observed a significant increase in the proportion of legal abortions in liberal and moderate contexts. In NP, 46.46% of women underwent medical abortion, while 62.18% of women underwent medical abortion in PP (h-Cohen 0.32). We found no increase in the number of complications during PP. In NP, 79.12% started contraceptives after abortion, while in PP, 70.39% started contraceptives after abortion (h-Cohen 0.20). Conclusion:the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with a decrease in the number of cases, a decrease in the proportion of legal interruptions, or an increase in complications in sentinel centers of the CLAP MUSA-Network.

Objetivo: compreender a influência da pandemia de COVID-19 nos aspectos da qualidade da assistência prestada às mulheres em situação de abortamento nos centros sentinela da Rede CLAP-MUSA, uma rede multicêntrica com cooperação internacional visando encorajar boas práticas na América Latina e no Caribe. Metodologia: estudo transversal entre janeiro/2017 e dezembro/2021 com mulheres de qualquer idade admitidas por abortamentos espontâneos ou induzidos. Analisamos o número total de casos e a proporção de abortos legais. As variáveis dependentes foram complicações e uso de anticoncepcionais após o aborto. As variáveis independentes foram a pandemia de COVID-19, dados clínicos e sociodemográficos. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio de regressão linear, regressão múltipla de Poisson, testes de Cochran-Armitage, qui-quadrado, Mann-Whitney e Cohen. Resultados: foram analisados dados de 93.689 mulheres, atendidas em 12 centros sentinelas da Rede CLAP-MUSA, 64,55% no período pré-pandêmico (NP) e 35,45% no período pandêmico (PP) (22,73% receberam atendimento pós-aborto e 77,27%,aborto legal). Não encontramos diferenças no número de casos ao longo do período, independentemente do contexto legal. Observamos um aumento significativo na proporção de abortos legais em contextos liberais e moderados. No NP, 46,46% das mulheres realizaram aborto medicamentoso, enquanto 62,18% das mulheres realizaram aborto medicamentoso no PP (h-Cohen 0,32). Não encontramos aumento no número de complicações durante o PP. No NP, 79,12% iniciaram anticoncepcionais após o aborto, enquanto no PP, 70,39% iniciaram anticoncepcionais após o aborto (h-Cohen 0,20). Conclusão: a pandemia de COVID-19 não se associou à diminuição do número de casos, à diminuição da proporção de interrupções legais ou ao aumento de complicações nos centros sentinelas da Rede CLAP-MUSA

Objetivo: comprender la influencia de la pandemia de COVID-19 en aspectos de la calidad de la atención brindada a las mujeres en situación de aborto en los centros centinela de la Red CLAP-MUSA (una red multicéntrica de cooperación internacional con el objetivo de fomentar buenas prácticas en América Latina y el Caribe). Metodología: estudio transversal entre enero/2017 y diciembre/2021 con mujeres de cualquier edad ingresadas para abortos espontáneos o inducidos. Se analizó el número total de casos y la proporción de abortos legales. Las variables dependientes fueron las complicaciones y el uso de anticonceptivos después del aborto. Las variables independientes fueron pandemia de COVID-19, datos clínicos y sociodemográficos. El análisis estadístico se realizó mediante regresión lineal, regresión múltiple de Poisson, pruebas de Cochran-Armitage, chi-cuadrado, Mann-Whitney y Cohen. Resultados: se analizaron datos de 93689 mujeres atendidas en 12 centros centinela de la Red CLAP-MUSA, 64,55% en el período prepandemia (NP) y 35,45% en el período pandemia (PP) (22,73% recibieron atención postaborto y 77,27% aborto legal). No encontramos diferencias en el número de casos durante el período, independientemente del contexto legal. Observamos un aumento significativo en la proporción de abortos legales en contextos liberales y moderados. En NP, el 46,46% de las mujeres se sometieron al aborto con medicamentos, mientras que el 62,18% de las mujeres se sometieron al aborto con medicamentos en PP (h-Cohen 0,32). No encontramos aumento en el número de complicaciones durante el PP. En NP, 79,12% inició anticonceptivos después del aborto, mientras que en PP, 70,39% inició anticonceptivos después del aborto (h-Cohen 0,20). Conclusión:la pandemia de COVID-19 no se asoció con una disminución en el número de casos, una disminución en la proporción de interrupciones legales o un aumento en las complicaciones en los centros centinela de la Red CLAP-MUSA

Analysing the context and characteristics of legal abortion and comprehensive post-abortion care among adolescents aged 10-14 in a network of sentinel centres in Latin America: a retrospective cross-sectional study, 2016-2020.

Pregnancy-related complications are a substantial source of morbidity and mortality among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. While the youngest adolescents (those aged 10-14) are considered to be at particularly high risk of adverse outcomes, there is little empirical data available on their sexual and reproductive health. Using a unique dataset of clinical records drawn from a regional network of sentinel centres providing legal abortion and comprehensive post-abortion care in 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries, we described the population of adolescents aged 10-14 seeking legal abortion and post-abortion care and calculated institutional rates of complications, using older adolescents (aged 15-19) and young adults (aged 20-24) as comparator groups. We also assessed the quality of care provided as compared to WHO recommendations. Nearly 17% (89 out of 533) of young adolescents sought care when they were already at 15 or more weeks' gestation. Young adolescents were at higher risk of pre-procedure and intra-operative complications than older adolescents and young adults, though the trend is less clear for the most severe complications. In general, the quality of care provided by centres in the network was aligned with WHO recommendations for safe abortion and comprehensive post-abortion care. Taken together, these findings provide insight into the challenges facing the global health community in assuring the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the youngest adolescents, and outline avenues for future research, advocacy, and evidence-based policymaking.

[Strategies for health services in women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries of Americas]. / Estrategias de servicios de salud en mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en países de las Américas.

The article analyzes the perceived challenges and strategies implemented in five Latin American and Caribbean countries to ensure continuity of care and access to health services for women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study corresponds to a quick assessment based on semi-structured interviews with key informants in countries selected by convenience: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic. Interviews were conducted with 23 key informants: (a) decision makers at the national and/or subnational level, (b) healthcare professionals, and (c) representatives of civil society organizations; from December 2020 to January 2021. Among the findings, at the beginning of the pandemic, priority was given to the COVID-19 care, with measures to limit the flow of people to health facilities in the countries involved, closing or limiting outpatient visits and restricting care schedule. For women, this affected family planning services and access to contraceptive methods, implying a reduction in prenatal check-ups. As a result of this deinstitutionalization of care, among newborns, a decrease in pediatric check-ups, a decrease in timely immunization and late detection of pathologies or growth problems were reported. Among adolescents, a strong restriction of family planning services, the limitation of other friendly counseling spaces and difficulties in accessing contraceptives were observed.

El artículo analiza los desafíos percibidos y las estrategias implementadas en cinco países de América Latina y el Caribe para garantizar la continuidad de los cuidados y el acceso a servicios de salud de mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia por COVID-19. El estudio corresponde a una evaluación rápida basada en entrevistas semi-estructuradas a informantes clave de países seleccionados por conveniencia: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Granada y República Dominicana. Se realizaron entrevistas con 23 informantes clave: (a) referentes de la toma de decisión a nivel nacional y/o subnacional, (b) referentes de servicios de salud, y (c) representantes de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, durante diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021. Entre los hallazgos, al inicio de la pandemia se priorizó la atención del COVID-19, con medidas para limitar la afluencia de personas a los establecimientos de salud en los países involucrados, procediendo al cierre o limitación de consultas externas y restricción de horarios de atención. Para las mujeres, esto impactó en los servicios de planificación familiar y el acceso a métodos anticonceptivos, e implicó una reducción de los controles prenatales. Por esta desinstitucionalización de la atención, entre recién nacidos/as fue reportada una disminución de los controles pediátricos, una disminución de su vacunación oportuna y una detección tardía de patologías o problemas de crecimiento. Entre adolescentes, se señaló una fuerte restricción de los servicios de planificación familiar, la limitación de otros espacios amigables de consejería y dificultades para acceder a anticonceptivos.

O artigo analisa os desafios observados e as estratégias implementadas em cinco países da América Latina e do Caribe para garantir a continuidade do atendimento e o acesso aos serviços de saúde para mulheres, recém-nascidos/as, crianças e adolescentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O estudo é uma avaliação rápida baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas com informantes-chave em países selecionados por conveniência: Colômbia, Equador, Guatemala, Granada e República Dominicana. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 23 informantes-chave: (a) tomadores de decisão em nível nacional e/ou subnacional, (b) prestadores de serviços de saúde e (c) representantes de organizações da sociedade civil; durante dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. Entre as conclusões encontrou-se que, no início da pandemia, foi dada prioridade à COVID-19, com medidas para limitar o fluxo de pessoas às instalações de saúde nos países envolvidos, fechando ou limitando as consultas ambulatoriais e restringindo o horário de atendimento. Para as mulheres, a medida impactou os serviços de planejamento familiar e o acesso à contracepção, significando uma redução nos check-ups pré-natais. Como resultado desta desinstitucionalização dos cuidados, uma diminuição dos check-ups pediátricos, uma diminuição das vacinações no período correto e uma detecção tardia de patologias ou problemas de crescimento foram relatados entre os/as recém-nascidos/as. Entre os adolescentes, foi observada uma restrição severa dos serviços de planejamento familiar, a limitação de acesso a espaços de aconselhamento amigável e dificuldades de acesso a contraceptivos.

Estrategias de servicios de salud en mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en países de las Américas / Strategies for health services in women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries of Americas / Estratégias de serviços de saúde para mulheres, recém-nascidos/as, crianças e adolescentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19 nos países das Américas

El artículo analiza los desafíos percibidos y las estrategias implementadas en cinco países de América Latina y el Caribe para garantizar la continuidad de los cuidados y el acceso a servicios de salud de mujeres, recién nacidos/as, niños/as y adolescentes durante la pandemia por COVID-19. El estudio corresponde a una evaluación rápida basada en entrevistas semi-estructuradas a informantes clave de países seleccionados por conveniencia: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Granada y República Dominicana. Se realizaron entrevistas con 23 informantes clave: (a) referentes de la toma de decisión a nivel nacional y/o subnacional, (b) referentes de servicios de salud, y (c) representantes de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, durante diciembre de 2020 y enero de 2021. Entre los hallazgos, al inicio de la pandemia se priorizó la atención del COVID-19, con medidas para limitar la afluencia de personas a los establecimientos de salud en los países involucrados, procediendo al cierre o limitación de consultas externas y restricción de horarios de atención. Para las mujeres, esto impactó en los servicios de planificación familiar y el acceso a métodos anticonceptivos, e implicó una reducción de los controles prenatales. Por esta desinstitucionalización de la atención, entre recién nacidos/as fue reportada una disminución de los controles pediátricos, una disminución de su vacunación oportuna y una detección tardía de patologías o problemas de crecimiento. Entre adolescentes, se señaló una fuerte restricción de los servicios de planificación familiar, la limitación de otros espacios amigables de consejería y dificultades para acceder a anticonceptivos.

The article analyzes the perceived challenges and strategies implemented in five Latin American and Caribbean countries to ensure continuity of care and access to health services for women, newborns, children, and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study corresponds to a quick assessment based on semi-structured interviews with key informants in countries selected by convenience: Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic. Interviews were conducted with 23 key informants: (a) decision makers at the national and/or subnational level, (b) healthcare professionals, and (c) representatives of civil society organizations; from December 2020 to January 2021. Among the findings, at the beginning of the pandemic, priority was given to the COVID-19 care, with measures to limit the flow of people to health facilities in the countries involved, closing or limiting outpatient visits and restricting care schedule. For women, this affected family planning services and access to contraceptive methods, implying a reduction in prenatal check-ups. As a result of this deinstitutionalization of care, among newborns, a decrease in pediatric check-ups, a decrease in timely immunization and late detection of pathologies or growth problems were reported. Among adolescents, a strong restriction of family planning services, the limitation of other friendly counseling spaces and difficulties in accessing contraceptives were observed.

O artigo analisa os desafios observados e as estratégias implementadas em cinco países da América Latina e do Caribe para garantir a continuidade do atendimento e o acesso aos serviços de saúde para mulheres, recém-nascidos/as, crianças e adolescentes durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O estudo é uma avaliação rápida baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas com informantes-chave em países selecionados por conveniência: Colômbia, Equador, Guatemala, Granada e República Dominicana. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 23 informantes-chave: (a) tomadores de decisão em nível nacional e/ou subnacional, (b) prestadores de serviços de saúde e (c) representantes de organizações da sociedade civil; durante dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. Entre as conclusões encontrou-se que, no início da pandemia, foi dada prioridade à COVID-19, com medidas para limitar o fluxo de pessoas às instalações de saúde nos países envolvidos, fechando ou limitando as consultas ambulatoriais e restringindo o horário de atendimento. Para as mulheres, a medida impactou os serviços de planejamento familiar e o acesso à contracepção, significando uma redução nos check-ups pré-natais. Como resultado desta desinstitucionalização dos cuidados, uma diminuição dos check-ups pediátricos, uma diminuição das vacinações no período correto e uma detecção tardia de patologias ou problemas de crescimento foram relatados entre os/as recém-nascidos/as. Entre os adolescentes, foi observada uma restrição severa dos serviços de planejamento familiar, a limitação de acesso a espaços de aconselhamento amigável e dificuldades de acesso a contraceptivos.

Contraceptive use in Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus on long-acting reversible contraceptives: prevalence and inequalities in 23 countries.

BACKGROUND: The rise in contraceptive use has largely been driven by short-acting methods of contraception, despite the high effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraceptives. Several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have made important progress increasing the use of modern contraceptives, but important inequalities remain. We assessed the prevalence and demand for modern contraceptive use in Latin America and the Caribbean with data from national health surveys. METHODS: Our data sources included demographic and health surveys, multiple indicator cluster surveys, and reproductive health surveys carried out since 2004 in 23 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Analyses were based on sexually active women aged 15-49 years irrespective of marital status, except in Argentina and Brazil, where analyses were restricted to women who were married or in a union. We calculated contraceptive prevalence and demand for family planning satisfied. Contraceptive prevalence was defined as the percentage of sexually active women aged 15-49 years who (or whose partners) were using a contraceptive method at the time of the survey. Demand for family planning satisfied was defined as the proportion of women in need of contraception who were using a contraceptive method at the time of the survey. We separated survey data for modern contraceptive use by type of contraception used (long-acting, short-acting, or permanent). We also stratified survey data by wealth, area of residence, education, ethnicity, age, and a combination of wealth and area of residence. Wealth-related absolute and relative inequalities were estimated both for contraceptive prevalence and demand for family planning satisfied. FINDINGS: We report on surveys from 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, analysing a sample of 212 573 women. The lowest modern contraceptive prevalence was observed in Haiti (31·3%) and Bolivia (34·6%); inequalities were wide in Bolivia, but almost non-existent in Haiti. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Paraguay had over 70% of modern contraceptive prevalence with low absolute inequalities. Use of long-acting reversible contraceptives was below 10% in 17 of the 23 countries. Only Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago had more than 10% of women adopting long-acting contraceptive methods. Mexico was the only country in which long-acting contraceptive methods were more frequently used than short-acting methods. Young women aged 15-17 years, indigenous women, those in lower wealth quintiles, those living in rural areas, and those without education showed particularly low use of long-acting reversible contraceptives. INTERPRETATION: Long-acting reversible contraceptives are seldom used in Latin America and the Caribbean. Because of their high effectiveness, convenience, and ease of continuation, availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives should be expanded and their use promoted, including among young and nulliparous women. In addition to suitable family planning services, information and counselling should be provided to women on a personal basis. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, Pan American Health Organization.

Capacitação para comitês de ética em pesquisa

Primeiro volume do material didático elaborado para subsidiar o processo de capacitação voltado aos membros dos comitês de ética em pesquisa e da comunidade científica no Brasil. Contém indicação de documentos internacionais e nacionais e textos básicos de referência, questões para reflexão, estudos de caso e roteiro para análise de filme, a serem utilizados no desenvolvimento de atividades pedagógicas.

Clinical investigations for SUS, the Brazilian public health system.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Scientific and technological development is crucial for advancing the Brazilian health system and for promoting quality of life. The way in which the Brazilian Ministry of Health has supported clinical research to provide autonomy, self-sufficiency, competitiveness and innovation for the healthcare industrial production complex, in accordance with the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation in Healthcare, was analyzed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive investigation, based on secondary data, conducted at the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health. METHODS: The Ministry of Health's research management database, PesquisaSaúde, was analyzed from 2002 to 2009, using the key word "clinical research" in the fields "primary sub-agenda" or "secondary sub-agenda". The 368 projects retrieved were sorted into six categories: basic biomedical research, preclinical studies, expanded clinical research, clinical trials, infrastructure support and health technology assessment. From a structured review on "clinical research funding", results from selected countries are presented and discussed. RESULTS: The amount invested was R$ 140 million. The largest number of projects supported "basic biomedical research", while the highest amounts invested were in "clinical trials" and "infrastructure support". The southeastern region had the greatest proportion of projects and financial resources. In some respects, Brazil is ahead of other BRICS countries (Russia, India, China and South Africa), especially with regard to establishing a National Clinical Research Network. CONCLUSION: The Ministry of Health ensured investments to encourage clinical research in Brazil and contributed towards promoting cohesion between investigators, health policies and the healthcare industrial production complex.

Não há saúde sem pesquisa: avanços no Brasil de 2003 a 2010 / There is no health without research: advances in Brazil from 2003 to 2010 / No hay salud sin investigación: avances en Brasil de 2003 a 2010

Nos últimos anos, o Brasil fez um esforço significativo de construção de um sistema de ciência e tecnologia para a saúde. Este artigo descreve o contexto, as estratégias e os resultados da implantação desse sistema, baseando-se em documentos oficiais e na experiência dos autores como gestores da Política Nacional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação em Saúde.Dentre os resultados observados, destacam-se: a ocupação, pelo Ministério da Saúde, de uma posição de liderança no fomento à pesquisa em saúde; um aumento expressivo do montante de recursos públicos alocados na pesquisa; a persistência de dificuldades burocráticas na gestão da política científica; e a ampliação do volume de publicações científicas. De modo geral, constatase que, apesar de limites e obstáculos, o país tem avançado na produção de conhecimentocientífico orientado para subsidiar as políticas de saúde.

In recent years, Brazil has made significant efforts to build a system of science and technology for health. This article describes the context, strategies and results of the implementation of this system, based on official documents and the authors? experience as managers of the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation in Health. Among the observed results, some deserve to be highlighted: the occupation of a position of leadership in promoting health research by the Ministry of Health, a significant increase in the amount of public resources allocated to health research, the persistence of bureaucratic difficulties inthe management of science policy, and an increase of the volume of scientific publications. Overall, despite its limitations and obstacles, the country has advanced in the production of scientific knowledge directed to subsidize health policies.

En los últimos años, Brasil hizo un esfuerzo significativo para la construcción de un sistema de ciencia y tecnología para la salud. Este artículo describe el contexto, las estrategias y los resultados de la implantación de ese sistema, basándose en documentos oficiales y en la experiencia de los autores como gestores de la Política Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación en Salud. Dentro de los resultados observados, se destacan: la ocupación, por el Ministerio de la Salud, de una posición de liderazgo en el fomento a la investigación en salud; un aumento expresivo del monto de recursos públicos destinados a la investigación; la persistencia de dificultades burocráticas en la gestión de la política científica; y la ampliación del volumen de publicaciones científicas. De modo general, se constata que, a pesar de los límites y obstáculos, el país ha avanzado en la producción de conocimiento científico orientado para subsidiar las políticas de salud.

Fulfillment of the brazilian agenda of priorities in health research.

This commentary describes how the Brazilian Ministry of Health's (MoH) research support policy fulfilled the National Agenda of Priorities in Health Research (NAPHR). In 2003, the MoH started a democratic process in order to establish a priority agenda in health research involving investigators, health managers and community leaders. The Agenda was launched in 2004 and is guiding budget allocations in an attempt to reduce the gap between scientific knowledge and health practice and activities, aiming to contribute to improving Brazilian quality of life. Many strategies were developed, for instance: Cooperation Agreements between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology; the decentralization of research support at state levels with the participation of local Health Secretariats and Science and Technology Institutions; Health Technology Assessment; innovation in neglected diseases; research networks and multicenter studies in adult, women's and children's health; cardiovascular risk in adolescents; clinical research and stem cell therapy. The budget allocated by the Ministry of Health and partners was expressive: US$419 million to support almost 3,600 projects. The three sub-agenda with the higher proportion of resources were "industrial health complex", "clinical research" and "communicable diseases", which are considered strategic for innovation and national development. The Southeast region conducted 40.5% of all projects and detained 59.7% of the resources, attributable to the concentration of the most traditional health research institutes and universities in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The second most granted region was the Northeast, which reflects the result of a governmental policy to integrate and modernize this densely populated area and the poorest region in the country. Although Brazil began the design and implementation of the NAPHR in 2003, it has done so in accordance with the 'good practice principles' recently published: inclusive process, information gathering, careful planning and funding policy, transparency and internal evaluation (an external independent evaluation is underway). The effort in guiding the health research policy has achieved and legitimated an unprecedented developmental spurt to support strategic health research. We believe this experience is valuable and applicable to other countries, but different settings and local political circumstances will determine the best course of action to follow.