Promoting and supporting “national capacity for high-quality research and development for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases” is objective 5 of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013-2020. Evidence and findings from implementation research is valuable in addressing gaps and refining existing knowledge for effective interventions, particularly in the context of low and middle-income countries. Given the inadequacy of implementing NCD interventions, implementation research is required to maximize and scale up ‘the very cost-effective interventions’.
This technical guide is intended to improve implementation research for NCD prevention and control. It has been designed primarily for health policy makers, implementers and academia who are responsible for NCD prevention and control at national and subnational level. This guide covers the four main steps necessary for implementation research: identification; adaptation; evaluation; and scale up of policy or intervention.