The National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) is a document of advocacy that outlines the Philippines'

research priorities in order to guide research activity, generate research support, and promote the translation of
research into practice. The development, spearheaded by the PNHRS Research Agenda Management Committee
(RAMC), was guided by principles that assure alignment with global research priority-setting practices. This has
become an opportunity for research stakeholders to participate in government policy and decision-making and
sought the involvement of a variety of stakeholders in the process. This also meant developing the new agenda
through the inputs of regional research stakeholders to ensure its relevance to their local context. Finally, principles
that ensure a methodological and transparent approach that accounts for consensus building were applied to
facilitate the finalization of this new agenda.

NUHRA 2023-2028 Themes and Subthemes

NUHRA 2023-2028 is the culmination of 17 regional consultation workshops that identified 170 health research
priorities which were consolidated into themes and sub-themes.

Disease Management

This theme involves the study and implementation of strategies to manage diseases, particularly chronic and
communicable diseases. It includes the burden of disease studies and prevention, early detection, treatment, and
management strategies to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes. Its sub-themes include:

● Non-communicable diseases (chronic diseases, lifestyle-related diseases)

● Communicable diseases (emerging and re-emerging diseases, infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance)
● Diseases of rapid urbanization and industrialization

Halal in health

This theme focuses on the application of Halal principles in the context of health and healthcare. It includes areas
such as Halal medical pharmaceuticals, Halal food and nutrition, Halal medical practices, and Halal health services.
Its sub-themes include:

● Development and production of Halal pharmaceuticals

● Halal food and nutrition (integration and mainstreaming of Halal in the food and beverage industry)
Health security, emergency, and disaster risk management

This theme involves the study and implementation of strategies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from health
emergencies and disasters. It includes areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and
emergency response. This also includes a focus on crises that may originate in the interface between humans,
animals, and the environments in which they interact. Its sub-themes include:

● Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation of health systems

● Environmental health and sanitation
● One Health (human health, animal health, environmental health, and plant health)

Health technology and innovation

This theme focuses on the development and application of innovative solutions to health challenges, including the
discovery and development of new drugs, diagnostic tools, and treatment approaches. It also includes areas such
as biotechnology and precision medicine. Its sub-themes include:

● Drug discovery
● Natural therapeutic products and ethnobotanical research
● Traditional, complementary, and integrative healthcare
● Biotechnology and biomedical devices
● Precision medicine
● Digital and artificial intelligence interventions for health
● Health product regulation and assessment

Health of vulnerable populations

This theme focuses on the health needs and challenges of populations that are particularly vulnerable due to factors
such as socioeconomic status, geographical location, gender, race, ethnicity, age, or disability. It aims to address
health disparities and promote health equity. Its sub-themes include:

● Health of indigenous cultural communities

● Health equity and inclusion
● Transgender health
● Geriatric health

Health promotion

This theme focuses on empowering individuals and communities to manage their health through education, health
literacy, and innovative strategies. It involves creating health-supportive environments and organizing societal actions
for health promotion and protection. Its sub-themes include:

● Health promotion, communication, and education

● Health literacy
● Healthy governance
● Healthy settings
● Innovative approaches in health promotion and education

Health systems strengthening towards UHC

This theme focuses on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of health systems to ensure
equitable access to quality healthcare services for all individuals. It encompasses areas such as health governance,
service delivery, financing, human resources, and information systems, all aimed at achieving the provisions of the
Universal Health Care Act of 2019. Its sub-themes include:
 ● Health governance and policies
● Health service delivery (primary care, health care provider networks)
● Health financing
● Health human resources
● Health information systems (local and healthcare provider network integration)
● Improving access to medicines, including enhancements in quality and affordability
● Evaluation of health systems and programs

Maternal, newborn, and child health

This theme focuses on the health and well-being of mothers, children, and adolescents. It includes areas such as
neonatal health, child health, and adolescent health, with a focus on reducing mortality and morbidity and promoting
healthy development. Its sub-themes include:

● Maternal, child, and neonatal health

● Maternal morbidity and mortality
● Prenatal care
● Immunization

Mental Health

This theme focuses on the promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental health conditions. It
includes areas such as mental health promotion, mental health of children and adolescents, and mental health and
substance abuse. Its sub-themes include:

● Mental health of children, adolescents, and students

● Mental health in the workplace
● Mental health promotion
● Mental health and substance abuse
● Emerging interventions for mental health across the life stages

Nutrition and food safety

This theme focuses on ensuring that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life. It also includes food security, which encompasses eradicating hunger, addressing
malnutrition, and promoting sustainability. Its sub-themes include:

● Food security, product development, and emerging technologies

● Nutrition and food safety
● Addressing all forms of malnutrition across life stages
● Multisectoral nutrition interventions

Sexual and reproductive health

This theme covers aspects related to sexual health and reproductive rights, including family planning, sexually
transmitted infections, gender-based violence, and sexual health education. It aims to ensure that all individuals can
have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to
do so. Its sub-themes include:

● Adolescent sexuality and reproductive health

● Reproductive health and rights
● Sexual health and education
● Gender-based violence