In an era of complex global health challenges—from pandemics to climate change—responsive, evidence-informed policies are more essential than ever. A new guide from WHO, developed by the Research for Health Department and the Evaluation Office, provides practical steps for using evidence to create and update theories of change (ToCs) in the health sector.
ToCs are a powerful tool for planning, implementing, and evaluating policies and programmes. They help focus efforts on outcomes rather than outputs, making health interventions more effective and transparent. Despite their growing use, ToCs are often developed without a clear, systematic use of evidence.
This guide fills that gap by offering a six-stage process to integrate diverse sources of evidence into ToCs—ensuring they are grounded in real-world insights and designed for impact. It is tailored for health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and anyone working to improve health outcomes through stronger planning and evaluation.
Whether you’re designing new health initiatives, revising existing ones, or building strategic plans, this guide offers a practical, step-by-step roadmap to help make better decisions, foster accountability, and drive meaningful change. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to turn knowledge into action in global health.
To read the guide, click here.