Conclusions

Implementation research involves the scientific study of the processes used to implement policies and interventions and the contextual factors that affect these processes.

Implementation research can help identify the most efficient and cost-effective methods of implementation, thereby helping to bridge the evidence-into-implementation (action) gap and improving health outcomes.

Implementation research should be embedded in all stages involving the selection, adaptation and evaluation of policies or interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs. It is also important for the knowledge created to be shared among policy-makers, implementers and researchers through cross-country and cross-sectoral platforms and collaborations.