Improving health systems and enhancing reproductive health: linkages and lessons for action.

Abstract

This special supplement arises from the presentations and working group discussions held during an international conference on ‘Making the link: sexual–reproductive health and health systems’ between 9–11 September 2003 in Leeds UK. The conference drew together over 100 experts from the fields of both sexual and reproductive health and health systems development to explore links between these fields and how sexual and reproductive health can be promoted within national and international health aid and development programmes. This conference was prompted by collaborative research done by the International Division of the Nuffield Institute for Health University of Leeds and the Centre for Population Studies of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The research indicates that despite similarity of goals there appears to be a lack of connection between the structural and financial reforms occurring in many health sectors and national responses to the Cairo concept of sexual and reproductive health. Policy groups and advocates for health sector reforms (led by the World Bank) and for sexual and reproductive health (notably USAID and UNFPA) tend not to have much reference to each other creating disjuncture in their activities. (excerpt)