Non-communicable diseases: can implementation research change the game for policy and practice?

The paper emphasizes the role of implementation research in bridging the evidence-to-policy (or the know-do gap) for NCDs, and in understanding how to adopt, integrate, and sustain NCD evidence-based interventions in real-world health systems. 

Despite its potential, implementation research is often underutilized and underfunded, and the field still faces many challenges. The paper calls for increased funding, better integration of research into policy and practice, and stronger institutional support. It highlights the importance of embedding research within health programs to foster continuous learning and improve service delivery.