INDEPTH

1. INDEPTH International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in Developing Countries INDEPTH Network

2. Currently 37 sites in 19 countries 21 sites in Africa 9 sites in Asia 1 site in Oceania 1 site in Latin America Over 2,000,000 people under surveillance INDEPTH Network

3. 2006 DSS sites over 45 years 1962 INDEPTH Network

4. INDEPTH - Some History… • 1997-1998: Series of meetings (Wits University and London School; Heidelberg University; Rockefeller Foundation, Bellagio; Ghana MOH, Navrongo. • 1998: 9-12 Nov – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – formal constitution. Co-ordinating Committee • 2000: First Mortality Data Analysis Workshop, Ouagadougou • 2000: 1st AGM Johannesburg • 2001: Development of Strategic Plan 2002-2004 (BCG) • 2002: 21-25 Feb – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2nd AGM) – 1st strategic plan adopted (incorporated body) • INDEPTH – not-for-profit international NGO registered in Ghana; Has US 501(c)3 charity status INDEPTH Network

5. Defining characteristics of INDEPTH sites • A geographically-defined population under continuous demographic monitoring with timely production of data on all births, deaths,migration events and associated health indicators • Called a health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS). • A labour intensive operation ….Average 60,000] INDEPTH Network

6. Defining characteristics of INDEPTH sites… contd. • Additional information may be collected on • verbal autopsies, morbidity & disability, pregnancies, economic / social activity, lifestyle etc. • HDSS sites are platforms for a wide range of research activities • Health systems • Social, economic, behavioural and health interventions. INDEPTH Network

7. Prospective monitoring of demographic and health events INDEPTH Network

8. Vision INDEPTH will be an international platform of sentinel demographic sites that provides health and demographic data and research to enable developing countries to set health priorities and policies based on longitudinal evidence.  INDEPTH's data and research will guide the cost-effective use of tools, interventions and systems to ensure and monitor progress towards national goals. INDEPTH Network

9. INDEPTH’s Mission To harness the collective potential of the world's community-based longitudinal demographic surveillance initiatives in resource constrained countries to provide a better, empirical understanding of health and social issues, and to apply this understanding to alleviate the most severe health and social challenges. We are saying: We will do this work together to provide evidence to decision-makers INDEPTH Network

10. Key INDEPTH’s Objectives… • Initiate and facilitate multi-site health and social studies • Improve methods and technologies for data collection at member sites • Increase visibility and recognition of member sites among critical constituencies • Foster and support capacity building/strengthening and cross-site collaborations among member sites • Disseminate study findings to maximise impact on policy and practice INDEPTH Network

11. It is all about making people count…. INDEPTH Network

12. Some Strategies … • Help member sites to disseminate data and research outputs • Convene analysis and capacity building/strengthening workshops • Coordinate multi-site research collaborations. • Facilitate cross-site scientific visits • Generate and promote standardised research methods and tools • Promote and build collaborations with other institutions INDEPTH Network