title: Building alliances for improving newborn health in Latin America and the Caribbean.
abstract: The regional Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Neonatal Alliance and national neonatal alliances in Bolivia, El Salvador, and Peru were studied through in-depth interviews and a review of publications. Findings were analyzed to distill successful strategies, structures, and tools for improving neonatal health by working through alliances that can be replicated at the regional or national level. The studies found the following factors were the most critical for successful outcomes from alliance work: inclusion of the Ministry of Health as a leader or primary stakeholder; a committed, diverse, technically expert, and horizontal membership; the presence of champions for neonatal health at the national level; development of a shared work plan based on feasible objectives; the use of shared financing mechanisms; the use of informal and dynamic organizational structures; and a commitment to scientific evidence-based programming. The relationship between the regional and national alliances was found to be mutually beneficial.
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development.
authors.forename: Molly K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Miller-Petrie
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development.
authors.forename: Goldy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazia
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serpa
authors.affiliation: Latin American and Caribbean Neonatal Alliance, La Paz, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pooley
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, San Salvador, El Salvador.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meléndez
authors.affiliation: The Collective for Neonatal Health, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vicuña
mesh_terms: D017691:Caribbean Region; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D000068104:Infant Health; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007843:Latin America