Bennett, SaraSsengooba, Freddie2021-12-172021-12-172010Bennett S, Ssengooba F (2010) Closing the Gaps: From Science to Action in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Africa. PLoS Med 7(6): e1000298. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.100029810.1371/journal.pmed.1000298https://nru.uncst.go.ug/xmlui/handle/123456789/740The previous papers in the PLoS Medicine series [1,2] demonstrate that the technical basis for improving maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in sub-Saharan Africa is largely known, but too often policy and practice are not well informed by science. There are two distinct aspects to this ‘‘gap.’’ First there is a ‘‘science to policy and practice’’ gap. Accumulated scientific research on the severity of MNCH problems and strategies to promote MNCH has, at least in part, failed to ensure that MNCH reaches the domestic policy agendas of African countries, and stays there. Furthermore, local, context-specific evidence frequently is not applied in planning and programming interventions to address MNCH. Second there is a ‘‘policy to practice’’ gap: even where clear policy commitments to MNCH are made, there may be substantial challenges to getting such policies implemented. These include challenges related to stakeholder management through the implementation process and challenges associated with the negotiation of health system constraints.enClosing the GapsScienceMaternalNewbornChild HealthArticle