Emerging Evidence: How Integrated Referrals Are Associated With Adherence, Food Security And Resilience
The Livelihoods and Food Security Technical Assistance II (LIFT II) Project is a USAID-funded cooperative agreement managed by FHI 360. LIFT II provides technical assistance and strategic support to USAID missions, host government agencies, implementing partners, and other public, private and civil society organizations to develop and strengthen multi-sectoral clinic-community referral systems. LIFT II establishes and supports referral systems that link people to essential clinical services, as well as to economic strengthening services that can improve the economic and food security of vulnerable households, and reduce barriers to health care. This integrated approach particularly focuses on people living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers.
Over the past two years, the LIFT II project has utilized innovative operations research approaches to assess whether these clinic-community referrals are associated with changes in client and household outcomes. The TOPS Program hosted a webinar with the LIFT II Project as they share results and lessons learned from these assessments, exploring findings related to ART (anti-retroviral therapy) adherence in Malawi and Tanzania, and to food security and economic stability in Lesotho. The presentation concluded with a summary of other LIFT II project resources and guidance relevant to those working across the health, nutrition, economic development, and food security sectors.