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Table 2 Illustrative questions for the Social Protection theme showing how research questions from reviews and policy maker interviews were aligned

From: Understanding the implications of the Sustainable Development Goals for health policy and systems research: results of a research priority setting exercise

Final research question used in online priority setting process

Research questions identified in reviews

Policy-makers concerns

How can social protection programs be designed to minimize dependency and promote productivity amongst beneficiaries?

Need more longitudinal studies that examine duration of food aid and strategies for weaning off food aid. Studies with longer follow-up period were less likely to find significant effects of food aid [40].

SDG_IDI_SAFRICA “There’s a dependency issue. Need to graduate people from these grants to employment. We are trying to couple these grants with skills development.”

SDG_FGD_Jordan “How do you incentivize people to become productive once they are on social protection and reduce dependency?”

1SDG_FGD_Jordan “Some continue to benefit from aid despite getting jobs.”

How effective are social protection programs in conflict affected settings in improving health outcomes and access to health services?

Need more high quality evaluations of the effects of social funds and community driven development initiatives in conflict-affected settings - including the impact of such programs on access to health services [41].

SDG_IDI_SOMALIA “What kind of mechanisms or schemes work in fragile states? How can these schemes provide protection for those who need it? What scheme is more relevant to Somalia now?”

SDG_IDI_Liberia “Liberia is developing health for all scheme, with emphasis on vulnerable populations such as children, ebola survivors. There is a triple burden of war, ebola, other diseases. Social cash transfers would be very helpful. Major challenge is designing it and having a transparent way of delivering it, corruption is a big issue. Right now only have short term schemes.”