PRB's signature approaches set it apart from other research organizations. PRB builds coalitions around the world to disseminate population, health, and environment information, which helps to mobilize all sectors of civil society to ensure that policy decisions are informed by good evidence. Following are examples of our strategic approaches in action.

Building Coalitions
Extending the Reach of Vital Research

PRB's Population and Health InfoShare (phishare.org) is an electronic library of more than 1,300 documents supplied by a coalition of more than 100 organizations working in reproductive and child health, HIV/AIDS, and population. It provides a platform for sharing and accessing research findings relevant to less developed countries.

Supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, InfoShare enables research groups in developing countries to reach a global audience. InfoShare continues to experience dramatic growth, with rising numbers of website visitors and e-mail subscribers.

Mobilizing Civil Society
Empowering Women Through Rural Radio

In West Africa, women journalists are uniquely positioned to use radio to share critical reproductive health information with women. With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development's Africa Bureau, PRB partnered with a Dakar-based nongovernmental organization to conduct a workshop on reproductive health and family planning issues for 20 female journalists working at rural radio stations in Senegal.

The workshops improved the quality of reporting on AIDS and family planning and led to the creation of regular health programs at several radio stations. The up-to-date, practical information that these journalists share with their listeners greatly increased local demand for family planning and health services. Health professionals in Senegal also relied on the radio reports for critical information needed to educate rural residents and government officials about reproductive health issues.