NEWS & EVENTS

Sightsavers’ Coordinated Approach To Community Health (CATCH), an integrated eye health program funded by the UK Department of International Development (DFID),[1] focused on increasing the coverage of eye health services in trachoma-endemic areas of Eastern and Southern Africa. CATCH aimed to reduce health disparities by reaching those with the greatest need, including people in remote and rural locations, those living with disabilities, and those in the poorest households. The evaluation team utilized the EquityTool to conduct integrated wealth assessments and ensure that CATCH was reaching targeted populations.

This research confirmed for Sightsavers that it is possible to assess the wealth of program participants in an accessible, cost-effective, and reliable way, that lends itself to routine wealth measurement. By generating valuable evidence on the associations between disability, wealth, and other socio-demographic factors, this research provided critical information on who should be targeted by health interventions in poorer countries. As a result of their experience with the EquityTool in the CATCH program, Sightsavers expanded their use of real-time wealth assessment across other projects and will continue to look for more opportunities to use the tool to assess and improve equity.

Metrics for Management is pleased to highlight and support the valuable contribution of this research to development knowledge in low- and middle-income countries through the Gwatkin Equity Measurement Prize.

Learn more about the Gwatkin Prize, including full details on applying for the 2023 Prize. Applications will open May 1, 2023; it’s never too early to review the detailed eligibility criteria and identify the project you’d like to submit.

Learn more about the CATCH program and the study!

[1] DFID is now Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).