Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH)

Over the last ten years, a group of investigators working in reproductive health have formed the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH) representing many regions of the world and centers. The coordinators for the group, are Jorge E. Tolosa, M.D., M.S.C.E., and Pisake Lumbiganon, M.D., M.S. The coordinating center is located at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. A technical advisory committee and a publications, presentations and authorship committee have been established.

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GNPRH Objectives

The objectives of the group are:

1. to conduct clinical research in the area of reproductive health and identify the most cost-effective interventions and the best evidence-based clinical practices which can be offered to the populations served
2. develop capacity building and transference of skills
3. advance the global knowledge on those diseases which affect the reproductive health of women and men, not only, but especially those which disproportionately affect women in the developing world. 

In order to accomplish those 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

• provision of 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 (USAID), 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 established.  Specifically, we are currently working with the Respiratory Disease Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States, and Population Council in Thailand and in India, and with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). We are developing a close working relationship with 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).