TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of official development assistance for health on health outcomes
T2 - A rapid systematic review
AU - Chagoma, Newton
AU - Sweeney, Rohan
AU - Mazumdar, Sumit
AU - Suhrcke, Marc
N1 - © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
PY - 2025/12/3
Y1 - 2025/12/3
N2 - In recent years, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have received substantial amounts of Official Development Assistance for Health (DAH) to address domestic health funding gaps and improve access to universal healthcare. However, the effectiveness of DAH in improving health outcomes remains contested, with varying findings across studies due to differences in methodologies, data sources, and target populations. This systematic review synthesises the existing evidence on the impact of DAH on health outcomes in LMICs, highlighting both the positive and negative effects, and identifying key mechanisms through which aid influences health. A total of 61 studies were included in the review, with a primary focus on maternal and child health outcomes. Despite methodological differences, the weight of evidence indicates a generally positive impact of DAH, particularly in countries with higher governance standards and better economic conditions. Our findings underscore the importance of contextual factors, such as governance and proximity to aid-funded projects, in shaping the effectiveness of health aid. To maximise the impact of DAH, policymakers need to strengthen donor coordination, align aid with national health priorities, and reinforce domestic health systems. Future research should focus on refining causal inference methods and exploring innovative aid-delivery mechanisms to sustain long-term health improvements.
AB - In recent years, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have received substantial amounts of Official Development Assistance for Health (DAH) to address domestic health funding gaps and improve access to universal healthcare. However, the effectiveness of DAH in improving health outcomes remains contested, with varying findings across studies due to differences in methodologies, data sources, and target populations. This systematic review synthesises the existing evidence on the impact of DAH on health outcomes in LMICs, highlighting both the positive and negative effects, and identifying key mechanisms through which aid influences health. A total of 61 studies were included in the review, with a primary focus on maternal and child health outcomes. Despite methodological differences, the weight of evidence indicates a generally positive impact of DAH, particularly in countries with higher governance standards and better economic conditions. Our findings underscore the importance of contextual factors, such as governance and proximity to aid-funded projects, in shaping the effectiveness of health aid. To maximise the impact of DAH, policymakers need to strengthen donor coordination, align aid with national health priorities, and reinforce domestic health systems. Future research should focus on refining causal inference methods and exploring innovative aid-delivery mechanisms to sustain long-term health improvements.
U2 - 10.1093/heapol/czaf102
DO - 10.1093/heapol/czaf102
M3 - Article
C2 - 41332186
SN - 0268-1080
JO - Health Policy and Planning
JF - Health Policy and Planning
M1 - czaf102
ER -