Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health

Ten years ago, a group of investigators working in reproductive health formed the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH) representing many regions of the world and centers. The founder of the group, Jorge E. Tolosa, M.D., M.S.C.E., serves as the coodinator together with Pisake Lumbiganon, M.D., M.S. The coordinating center is located at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Meeting at the CDC related to the IIP study See enlarged photo

GNPRH Centers

GNPRH Objectives

1. To conduct clinical research in the area of reproductive health, identify and introduce the most cost-effective interventions and the best evidence-based clinical practices which when offered to the populations served, can improve important health outcomes.
2. Develop capacity building and transference of skills.
3. Advance global knowledge on those diseases which affect the reproductive health of women and children. 

In order to accomplish these objectives, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, health economics and informatics are utilized. The investigators meet on a regular basis at an annual global meeting where the results of their research are presented, collaborative initiatives are developed and innovations in methodological issues in areas relevant to the conduction of cutting-edge research applied to the local needs are discussed.  The last meeting was held in Bangkok, in December 2004.

GNPRH Technical Advisory Committee

A technical advisory committee (TAC) has been established. The objectives of the TAC include

• To provide assistance to the coordinators and investigators of the network for definition and implementation of the research agenda.
• To identify opportunities for development of scientific collaboration or secure technical assistance or funding for specific research projects.

An exceptional group of individuals form the TAC: Christopher Elias, (PATH, Seattle, USA), Robert Goldenberg (University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA), Pisake Lumbiganon, (Khon Kaen University, Thailand), Ruth Nduati, (University of Kenya, Kenya), Saroj Pachauri, (Population Council, India) and Jorge E. Tolosa, (Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA). Ruth Frischer (Frisher-Dambra Consulting Corp.), and Cynthia Whitney (CDC), serve as ex-officio members.

Collaboration

As part of the development of this network, collaboration with scientists, technical experts and organizations working in the area of reproductive health have been established.  Specifically, we are currently working with the Respiratory Disease Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States, Population Council in Thailand and in India, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U.K., the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), in Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C., and the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, USA.

Funding

Funding to support this initiative has been secured from different sources, including The Rockefeller Foundation, CDC, Oregon Health & Science University, Thomas Jefferson University, INCLEN, and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).