This article introduces the WHO health research system analysis (HRSA) initiative as an input to the World Health Report 2004 on health research, "Knowledge for Better Health". Section 2 presents the HRSA conceptual framework for operational description and analysis of national health research from a system rather than sector perspective. Section 3 summarizes research projects addressing contemporary cross-national issues, aiming to: provide answers to key questions, further explore contested areas within systems, and improve decision-making on research investment options. Section 4 summarizes the comprehensive country studies on research systems. Section 5 outlines a pilot study on methods for 18 comprehensive country studies, including Brazil, Chile, and Costa Rica. Section 6 concludes that the pilot study and eventual main phase to describe and analyze national health research systems will demonstrate WHO's commitment to strengthening capacity in partnership with countries.
Health research systems; WHO; HRSA
