Application of equitable impact sensitive tool (EQUIST) in evidence informed policymaking to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Senegal

Abstract

The policy brief reviews evidence drawn from the application of EQUitable Impact Sensitive Tool (EQUIST). In terms of improving maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) outcomes, extending services to the most deprived and marginalized communities not only averts more deaths, but also is more cost effective. UNICEF designed the EQUitable Impact Sensitive Tool (EQUIST online tool http://equist.info/en/pages/home) to enable the global health community to improve equity in MNCH and reduce health disparities between marginalized and wealthier groups. Among the most critical health systems components that requires strengthening is the concept of health equity.