Goals and Objectives

The Goal of the ICPHR is to establish PHR as an integrated part of local, regional, and national strategies to meet the needs of disadvantaged communities by addressing issues of health inequality. This will be achieved by strengthening the position of PHR in research institutions and policy‐making structures. To reach this goal, the following objectives have been set:

Objective 1: To Define PHR

A new level of conceptual clarity regarding PHR will be reached through international consensus on:

• A common definition describing the distinguishing features of PHR
• An explanation of the scientific (theoretical and methodological) basis for PHR
• Ways to build theory on the social determinants of health based on PHR findings

Objective 2: To Enhance the Quality of PHR

The quality of PHR will be enhanced by defining guidelines for good practice. These include:

• Guidelines for the engagement/participation of communities
• Guidelines for research method and design
• Guidelines for translating PHR findings into action and innovation

Objective 3: To Strengthen the Impact of PHR

The impact of PHR will be strengthened by synthesizing the empirical findings and theoretical models which have been generated by PHR. Also, a database of PHR projects will be established in which users can search on key dimensions (e.g. community characteristics, methods, health issue) in order to find approaches which may be useful for their particular setting or question.