The HITA Foundation has made a pledge for 2008 and 2009 to support the Jameel Poverty Action Lab.
( www.povertyactionlab.com ) The Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), based at MIT, has pioneered innovative work using randomized trials in development and poverty research. The J-PAL objective is to improve the effectiveness of poverty programs by providing policy makers with clear scientific results that help shape successful policies to combat poverty. J-PAL works on issues as diverse as boosting girls’ school attendance, improving the output of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, racial bias in employment in the U.S. and the role of women political leaders in India. J-PAL is now expanding their work to include more health bases studies.

The HITA Foundation commitment will assist in supporting the work of Dr. Vandama Sharma who has joined J-PAL as Coordinator for Public Health Studies. Dr. Sharma received her M.D. from the University of Western Ontario and as a Hopkins Sommer Scholar received her Masters of Public Health from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Sharma’s initial work at J-PAL will focus on respiratory health projects in India and teen HIV reduction in Kenya. The HITA Foundation board members are pleased to the opportunity to support the work of the Jameel Poverty Action Lab and we look forward to many future collaborations.