Abstract
The goal of this theory of change is to provide funders, implementing partners, and designers a tool to increase the understanding and application of human-centered design (HCD) as an approach that enhances global health programming. The theory of change also aims to communicate the potential for HCD to introduce new and disruptive mindsets, practices, and techniques to global health programming and to clarify HCD's potential value from the funding application process through to implementation. We seek to answer the key question: how do design and traditional global health practices and mindsets integrate to drive more people-centered, innovative solutions to health challenges and achieve common health sector and global health ecosystem goals?
Highlights
Based on the first theory of change (TOC) iteration and recent experience applying Human-centered design (HCD) in global health, we describe in the nextgeneration TOC 2 theoretical pathways of change associated with the integration of HCD in global health programming
It outlines the pathways to achieving health sector and global health ecosystem goals that emanate from the influence of HCD in global health programming
Evolved institutional systems and mindsets of funders, implementers, and other health system stakeholders that place human centeredness at the forefront of problem framing and solution development. This TOC illustrates pathways to achieving key health sector and global health ecosystem goals that emanate from the influence of HCD on health programming processes, such as problem framing, defining solutions and interventions, and implementing solutions that are tailored to users’ needs, desires, and contexts
Summary
Human-centered design (HCD) is an approach to problem framing and solution generation that has gained wide acceptance and delivered measurable impact in the private sector,*,1–3 but has only recently been applied in global health.[4,5,6,7,8] A body of experimentation and practice is emerging that delineates how HCD works on the ground, how HCD and health professionals are connecting their practices, and the benefits and challenges of integrating the 2 fields.[9,10] Yet, the theoretical pathways of the influence of design in health programming remain poorly articulated. HCD tailors solutions to stakeholders users’ contexts, needs, and aspirations by collabo- across the health rating closely with end users—clients, community system, optimizing members, health care workers, and other health the likelihood that system stakeholders—to enhance “fit” and accept- the desired ability In this manner, HCD seeks to disrupt tradi- behaviors, tional program planning by prioritizing users’ products, and needs and desires early in problem framing and services will be later, before widespread implementation, by test- adopted and ing the feasibility of introducing and sustaining accepted. A design-influenced approach embodying substantial user engagement in problem framing, solution generation, and iterative testing and adapting increases the likelihood that program managers will identify implementation challenges and needs early on.[37] It provides them with a more nuanced understanding of the feasibility of implementation in a specific context, helping to avoid costly, latestage learning about the fit between the intervention and the health system or community context. Evolved institutional systems and mindsets of funders, implementers, and other health system stakeholders that place human centeredness at the forefront of problem framing and solution development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
