BACKGROUND:Differential impacts of active travel interventions on disadvantaged population groups have been under-studied. A review of evidence from the UK was commissioned to inform the development of government policy and support the implementation of equitable and effective interventions. METHODS:Systematic review, identifying studies via searching 31 electronic databases. Eligible studies evaluated active travel interventions in the UK and reported quantitative data on active travel behaviours and/or linked health outcomes for population subgroups defined by sex/gender, ethnicity, age or socioeconomic status. Two reviewers screened reports, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Outcome data were summarised in relation to directions of intervention effects for population subgroups. RESULTS:We included 18 study reports collectively evaluating five interventions. Evidence suggests that interventions are more likely to increase than decrease active travel among females and may also be more likely to benefit females relative to males. Interventions are also more likely to increase than decrease active travel among older adults, but there is no clear evidence that they will benefit this group relative to younger adults. Available evidence gives no clear indication of likely positive or negative impacts on groups defined by ethnicity or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION:There is some evidence that active travel interventions improve outcomes and may reduce inequalities in relation to sex, and improve outcomes among older adults. The available evidence for differential impacts of active travel interventions is otherwise largely inconclusive, but importantly provides no clear indication that implementing active travel interventions will widen inequalities.

Background Understanding views about body size and weight is key to addressing both obesity and weight stigma. The views of younger children are not well understood and may differ in important ways from those of adults and young people. This review aimed to fill this gap.Methods Systematic review of qualitative evidence. We searched 19 database sources in February 2025 and included qualitative studies from the UK published since 2008 reporting data on children's (4-12 years) views of obesity, body size, body shape or weight. We assessed study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and conducted a thematic synthesis of the data.Results We included 34 studies. Study quality overall was fairly high. Children reported a range of perceived impacts of body weight, including health impacts, limitations on activities, bullying and teasing, which generated negative perceptions of overweight and fear of fatness. Ideas about body shape may be influenced by family members and by media or social media content. Children identified diet and physical activity as the main influences on body weight. There may be differences in views between girls and boys at older ages, although both are concerned about weight. We found very little data on differences relating to ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Children with overweight or obesity reported a pervasive experience of negative attitudes and bullying, which could be a barrier to participating in activities.Conclusion Children, including very young children, generally hold very negative views of overweight and obesity. Overweight is seen to be linked with unhealthiness, limited agency and with being bullied. These links may influence how children understand messages about weight and health.PROSPERO registration number CRD42025650306.

Background: Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) uses Boolean set theory to identify complex causal ‘recipes’. QCA has been used in systematic reviews to identify configurations of intervention and contextual features associated with the effectiveness of complex multi-component interventions. Despite increasing use of QCA in systematic reviews, no tool currently exists to appraise reviews using QCA. To address this gap, we developed ‘CARU-QCA’ (Critical Appraisal of Reviews Using QCA). Methods: We used three sources of evidence to develop CARU-QCA: key papers on the logic and procedures of QCA; existing systematic review appraisal tools; and published QCA reviews. In addition to the existing six stages of QCA outlined elsewhere, we also distinguished a baseline stage (Stage 0) where we appraise the set-up and appropriateness of the use of QCA. Several rounds of user testing by the lead authors and colleagues in the field aimed to refine the tool and enhance its usability. Results: QCA blends a deep, holistic understanding of interventions and their underlying theory, with computer-based mathematical procedures for examining and testing patterns in the data. As such, elements of the CARU-QCA tool support the appraisal of the approach used to develop case-based knowledge and use of theory for exploring cross-case patterns as well as the technical analytic procedures. In line with systematic review guidance, CARU-QCA also appraises transparency of reporting. The tool is divided into seven sections to support users in appraising the set-up of QCA and the six analytical steps. The tool guides users to assess their confidence in the execution of each of the seven stages, before forming an overarching confidence assessment. A detailed guide accompanies the tool providing further background information and explanation of the rationale for each question. Conclusions: CARU-QCA provides a transparent and standardised approach for critiquing and evaluating reviews using QCA; it will be of value to those seeking to assess and implement the findings of QCA reviews. CARU-QCA will also be useful to systematic reviewers seeking guidance on how to undertake and report a QCA.

BACKGROUND:Theories of change explaining how interventions work are increasingly important, yet the methods/data to develop these are less advanced than for evaluating effects. METHODS:We conducted a systematic evidence synthesis to develop a theory of change for structural adolescent contraception interventions. We reflect on the utility of the information provided in evaluation reports. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:Few of the included evaluations presented their theory of change, or included rich, qualitative process data. Authors' descriptions of context and implementation, typically in introduction and discussion sections, were very useful. These helped to understand the intervention's context, how it was experienced and why or how it had the effect that it did. We recommend incorporating rich process evaluations into studies, and reporting contextual insights into the intervention's development, implementation and experience. We also recommend including these data and insights within syntheses that aim to develop theories of change.

AbstractBackgroundInteractive evidence maps typically visualise characteristics of research evidence, and gaps in evidence, in a particular field.Aims, Materials & MethodsHere we present an example of an evidence map on digital drug and alcohol interventions in which the research evidence is supplemented with information about interventions in use (or available for use) in England. We used systematic review methods to identify systematic reviews of intervention effectiveness and an online survey to identify interventions in England.ResultsEighteen reviews and 40 interventions were included in the online map.Discussion & ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first map to juxtapose research and practice in this way. By extending evidence maps to include data on service provision, it becomes easier to see whether research and practice are aligned and where gaps in either evidence or practice (or both) exist.

Background:Interactive evidence maps typically visualise characteristics of research evidence, and gaps in evidence, in a particular field. Aims Materials & Methods:Here we present an example of an evidence map on digital drug and alcohol interventions in which the research evidence is supplemented with information about interventions in use (or available for use) in England. We used systematic review methods to identify systematic reviews of intervention effectiveness and an online survey to identify interventions in England. Results:Eighteen reviews and 40 interventions were included in the online map. Discussion & Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first map to juxtapose research and practice in this way. By extending evidence maps to include data on service provision, it becomes easier to see whether research and practice are aligned and where gaps in either evidence or practice (or both) exist.

Active case-finding (ACF) for tuberculosis can help find the “missing millions” with undiagnosed tuberculosis. In a cluster-randomised trial, we investigated impact of ACF on case-notifications in Blantyre, Malawi, where ACF has been intensively implemented following 2014 estimates of ~1,000 per 100,000 adults with undiagnosed TB. Following a pre-intervention prevalence survey (May 2019 to March 2020), constrained randomisation allocated neighbourhoods to either door-to-door ACF (sputum microscopy for reported cough >2 weeks) or standard-of-care (SOC). Implementation was interrupted by COVID-19. Cluster-level bacteriologically-confirmed case-notification rate (CNR) ratio within 91 days of ACF was our redefined primary outcome; comparison between arms used Poisson regression with random effects. Secondary outcomes were 91-day CNR ratios comparing all tuberculosis registrations and all non-ACF registrations. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis of CNRs in the SOC arm examined prevalence survey impact. (ISRCTN11400592). 72 clusters served by 10 study-supported tuberculosis registration centres were randomised to ACF (261,244 adults, 58,944 person-years follow-up) or SOC (256,713 adults, 52,805 person-years). Of 1,192 ACF participants, 13 (1.09%) were smear-positive. Within 91 days, 113 (42 bacteriologically-confirmed) and 108 (33 bacteriologically-confirmed) tuberculosis patients were identified as ACF or SOC cluster residents, respectively. There was no difference by arm, with adjusted 91-day CNR ratios 1.12 (95% CI: 0.61–2.07) for bacteriologically-confirmed tuberculosis; 0.93 (95% CI: 0.68–1.28) for all tuberculosis registrations; and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.63–1.16) for non-ACF (routinely) diagnosed. Of 7,905 ACF and 7,992 SOC pre-intervention survey participants, 12 (0.15%) and 17 (0.21%), respectively, had culture/Xpert-confirmed tuberculosis. ITS analysis showed no survey impact on SOC CNRs. Despite residual undiagnosed tuberculosis of 150 per 100,000 population, there was no increase in tuberculosis notifications from this previously successful approach targeting symptomatic disease, likely due to previous TB ACF and rapid declines in TB burden. In such settings, future ACF should focus on targeted outreach and demand creation, alongside optimised facility-based screening. Trial Registration : ISRCTN11400592 .

National immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) develop immunization-related recommendations and assist policy-makers in making evidence informed decisions. Systematic reviews (SRs) that summarize the available evidence on a specific topic are a valuable source of evidence in the development of such recommendations. However, conducting SRs requires significant human, time, and financial resources, which many NITAGs lack. Given that SRs already exist for many immunization-related topics, and to prevent duplication and overlap of reviews, a more practical approach may be for NITAGs to use existing SRs. Nevertheless, it can be challenging to identify relevant SRs, to select one SR from among multiple SRs, or to critically assess and effectively use them. To support NITAGs, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Robert Koch Institute and collaborators developed the SYSVAC project, which consists of an online registry of systematic reviews on immunization-related topics and an e-learning course, that supports the use of them (both freely accessible at https://www.nitag-resource.org/sysvac-systematic-reviews). Drawing from the e-learning course and recommendations from an expert panel, this paper outlines methods for using existing systematic reviews when making immunization-related recommendations. With specific examples and reference to the SYSVAC registry and other resources, it offers guidance on locating existing systematic reviews; assessing their relevance to a research question, up-to-dateness, and methodological quality and/or risk of bias; and considering the transferability and applicability of their findings to other populations or settings.

Becoming pregnant and giving birth under the age of 20 is associated with a range of adverse social, socioeconomic and health outcomes for adolescent girls and their children in Low and middle income countries. Cash transfers are an example of a structural intervention that can change the local social and economic environment, and have been linked with positive health and social outcomes across several domains. As part of a wider review of structural adolescent contraception interventions, we conducted a systematic review on the impact of cash transfers on adolescent contraception and fertility. Fifteen studies were included in the review with eleven studies providing evidence for meta-analyses on contraception use, pregnancy and childbearing. The evidence suggests that cash transfer interventions are generally ineffective in raising levels of contraceptive use. However, cash transfer interventions did reduce levels of early pregnancy (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.00). There was suggestive evidence that conditional, but not unconditional, cash transfers reduce levels of early childbearing. Given that much of the evidence is drawn from interventions providing cash transfers conditional on school attendance, supporting school attendance may enable adolescent girls and young women to make life choices that do not involve early pregnancy.

Recent evidence shows rapidly changing tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology in Southern and Eastern Africa, with need for subdistrict prevalence estimates to guide targeted interventions. We conducted a pulmonary TB prevalence survey to estimate current TB burden in Blantyre city, Malawi. From May 2019 to March 2020, 115 households in middle/high-density residential Blantyre, were randomly-selected from each of 72 clusters. Consenting eligible participants (household residents ≥ 18 years) were interviewed, including for cough (any duration), and offered HIV testing and chest X-ray; participants with cough and/or abnormal X-ray provided two sputum samples for microscopy, Xpert MTB/Rif and mycobacterial culture. TB disease prevalence and risk factors for prevalent TB were calculated using complete-case analysis, multiple imputation, and inverse probability weighting. Of 20,899 eligible adults, 15,897 (76%) were interviewed, 13,490/15,897 (85%) had X-ray, and 1,120/1,394 (80%) sputum-eligible participants produced at least one specimen, giving 15,318 complete cases (5,895, 38% men). 29/15,318 had bacteriologically-confirmed TB (189 per 100,000 complete-case (cc) / 150 per 100,000 with inverse weighting (iw)). Men had higher burden (cc: 305 [95% CI:144–645] per 100,000) than women (cc: 117 [95% CI:65–211] per 100,000): cc adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.70 (1.26–5.78). Other significant risk factors for prevalent TB on complete-case analysis were working age (25–49 years) and previous TB treatment, but not HIV status. Multivariable analysis of imputed data was limited by small numbers, but previous TB and age group 25–49 years remained significantly associated with higher TB prevalence. Pulmonary TB prevalence for Blantyre was considerably lower than the 1,014 per 100,000 for urban Malawi in the 2013–14 national survey, at 150–189 per 100,000 adults, but some groups, notably men, remain disproportionately affected. TB case-finding is still needed for TB elimination in Blantyre, and similar urban centres, but should focus on reaching the highest risk groups, such as older men.

Evidence from several countries in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that the integration of family planning (FP) with childhood immunization services can help reduce the unmet need for FP among postpartum women without undermining the uptake of immunizations. However, the quality and responsiveness of FP services that are integrated with childhood immunizations remain understudied. A qualitative study was conducted in two districts of Malawi, which examined the factors influencing the responsiveness of FP services that were integrated with childhood immunizations in monthly public outreach clinics. Semi-structured interviews with clients (n = 23) and FP providers (n = 10) and a clinic audit were carried out in six clinics. Hardware (material) and software (relational) factors influencing service responsiveness were identified through thematic and framework analyses of interview transcripts, and clinic characteristics were summarized from the audit data to contextualize the qualitative findings. Overall, 13 factors were found to influence service responsiveness in terms of the ease of access, choice of provider, environment, service continuity, confidentiality, communication, dignity and FP counselling afforded to clients. Among these factors, hardware deficiencies, including the absence of a dedicated building for the provision of FP services and the lack of FP commodities in clinics, were perceived to negatively affect service responsiveness. Crucially, the providers' use of their agency to alter the delivery of services was found to mitigate the negative effects of some hardware deficits on the ease of access, choice of provider, environment and confidentiality experienced by clients. This study contributes to an emerging recognition that providers can offset the effect of hardware deficiencies when services are integrated if they are afforded sufficient flexibility to make independent decisions. Consideration of software elements in the design and delivery of FP services that are integrated with childhood immunizations is therefore critical to optimize the responsiveness of these services.

Evidence suggests that integrating family planning (FP) services with childhood immunisations can increase postpartum contraceptive use by providing timely contact with FP services during the year following childbirth. However, little is known about clients' experiences of FP services within this context. Systems thinking was applied to examine the responsiveness of FP services that were integrated with childhood immunisations in routine outreach clinics across two districts of Malawi. A causal loop analysis of qualitative data captured through 1) structured exit interviews with clients (n=146) and 2) semi-structured interviews with clients (n=23) and their FP providers (n=10) was carried out to explain the system dynamics influencing the responsiveness of integrated FP services. Through this analysis, six feedback loops were identified as having a balancing effect on service responsiveness. Importantly, the clinic's client load was found to drive the responsiveness experienced by clients in the studied context. Overall, the results suggest that efforts to enhance the responsiveness of integrated FP services in outreach clinics should focus on 1) enhancing the providers' ability to alter the client flow in response to fluctuations in the clinic's client load, and 2) ensuring that an appropriate buffer of FP supplies is available in clinics to enable clients to consistently receive their preferred contraceptive irrespective of surges in demand. This study represents the first attempt at modelling the responsiveness of integrated FP services and its findings can be used to inform the design and delivery of FP services that are integrated with childhood immunisations in different settings.

Reducing adolescent pregnancy is a global public health priority and enabling contraceptive use is one way to achieve this. Broader determinants of contraceptive use, such as poverty, education and social norms, can affect knowledge, attitudes, motivation and ability to access and use contraception. Structural interventions aim to address these broader determinants and include cash transfer interventions, interventions to encourage participation in school, empowerment interventions and interventions aiming to change social norms. We conducted an evidence synthesis to explore a) what structural interventions have been evaluated for their effect on adolescent contraceptive use in low- and middle-income countries and b) how such interventions may work.

Enabling contraceptive use is critical for addressing high adolescent pregnancy rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Broader or ‘upstream’ determinants, such as poverty, education, and social norms, can affect the knowledge, attitudes, motivation, and ability to access and use contraception. Structural interventions aim to address these broader determinants, e.g., through poverty alleviation from livelihood training or cash transfers, increasing school participation, or changing social norms. We conducted an evidence synthesis using intervention component analysis, a case-based approach, following a systematic mapping of the evidence base. We identified 17 studies with 29 structural intervention arms, which reported adolescent contraceptive use outcomes compared to a control group or baseline. It was not possible to identify with certainty which interventions were ‘likely effective’ or ‘likely ineffective’ due to the high heterogeneity of the methods. We built on an existing framework of family planning use to propose three steps to designing interventions: (1) tailor interventions to adolescents’ life stages; (2) assess the baseline situation; and (3) select appropriate activities to match the gaps. These steps will aid developers and evaluators of structural adolescent contraceptive interventions to develop an evidence base that is of use across a wide range of settings and use scenarios.

Reducing adolescent childbearing is a global priority, and enabling contraceptive use is one means of achieving this. Upstream factors, e.g., gender inequalities, fertility norms, poverty, empowerment and schooling, can be major factors affecting contraceptive use. We conducted a systematic map to understand which structural adolescent contraception interventions targeting these upstream factors have been evaluated in LMICs. We searched eight academic databases plus relevant websites and a 2016 evidence gap map and screened references based on set inclusion criteria. We screened 6993 references and included 40 unique intervention evaluations, reported in 138 papers. Seventeen evaluations were reported only in grey literature. Poverty reduction/economic empowerment interventions were the most common structural intervention, followed by interventions to increase schooling (e.g., through legislation or cash transfers) and those aiming to change social norms. Half of the evaluations were RCTs. There was variation in the timing of endline outcome data collection and the outcome measures used. A range of structural interventions have been evaluated for their effect on adolescent contraceptive use/pregnancy. These interventions, and their evaluations, are heterogenous in numerous ways. Improved understandings of how structural interventions work, as well as addressing evaluation challenges, are needed to facilitate progress in enabling adolescent contraceptive use in LMICs.

Background This systematic overview was commissioned by England’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to assess the evidence on direct (previously ‘novel’) oral anticoagulants (OACs), compared with usual care, in adults, to prevent stroke related to atrial fibrillation (AF), and to prevent and treat venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specifically, to assess efficacy and safety, genotyping, self-monitoring, and patient and clinician experiences of OACs. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, ASSIA, and CINAHL, in October, 2017, updated in November 2021. We included systematic reviews, published from 2014, in English, assessing OACs, in adults. We rated review quality using AMSTAR2 or the JBI checklist. Two reviewers extracted and synthesised the main findings from the included reviews. Results We included 49 systematic reviews; one evaluated efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness, 17 assessed genotyping, 23 self-monitoring or adherence, and 15 experiences (seven assessed two topics). Generally, the direct OACs, particularly apixaban (5 mg twice daily), were more effective and safer than warfarin in preventing AF-related stroke. For VTE, there was little evidence of differences in efficacy between direct OACs and low-molecular-weight heparin (prevention), warfarin (treatment), and warfarin or aspirin (secondary prevention). The evidence suggested that some direct OACs may reduce the risk of bleeding, compared with warfarin. One review of genotype-guided warfarin dosing assessed AF patients; no significant differences in stroke prevention were reported. Education about OACs, in patients with AF, could improve adherence. Pharmacist management of coagulation may be better than primary care management. Patients were more adherent to direct OACs than warfarin. Drug efficacy was highly valued by patients and most clinicians, followed by safety. No other factors consistently affected patients’ choice of anticoagulant and adherence to treatment. Patients were more satisfied with direct OACs than warfarin. Conclusions For stroke prevention in AF, direct OACs seem to be more effective and safer than usual care, and apixaban (5 mg twice daily) had the best profile. For VTE, there was no strong evidence that direct OACs were better than usual care. Education and pharmacist management could improve coagulation control. Both clinicians and patients rated efficacy and safety as the most important factors in managing AF and VTE. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42017084263—one deviation; efficacy and safety were from one review.

Over 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are blind or visually impaired, the majority from avoidable causes. Health promotion and disease prevention are important strategies for eye health, through good governance, health literacy and increasing access to eye care services. To increase equity in access for eyecare services, the World Health Organization Africa Region developed a package of interventions for primary eye care, which includes health promotion. The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of the primary healthcare system to deliver health promotion for eye care in Nigeria. Mixed methods were used during a survey of 48 government-owned primary health care facilities in Anambra state, Nigeria: interviews with district health supervisors, facility staff and village health workers, and a desk review of policy documents for primary health care and eye care in Nigeria. Findings were benchmarked against the capacities needed to deliver health promotion agreed through a Delphi exercise and were analysed using the World Health Organization's health system building blocks. Eye health promotion policies exist but are fragmented across different national health policies. Health promotion activities focussed on "mobilising" community members to access care provided in facilities, particularly for women of childbearing age and young children, and health education was limited. Only one in ten facilities engaged the elderly and a fifth delivered health promotion for eye care. Health promotion activities were supervised in 43.2% of facilities and transport to remote areas was limited. A robust eye health promotion strategy needs to be included in the National Eye Health Policy. The scope of existing health promotion will need to expand to include eye conditions and different age groups. Increasing eye health literacy should be emphasized. Governance, training health workers in eye health promotion, educational materials, and transport to visit communities will also be needed.

BACKGROUND:Postpartum women represent a considerable share of the global unmet need for modern contraceptives. Evidence suggests that the integration of family planning (FP) with childhood immunisation services could help reduce this unmet need by providing repeat opportunities for timely contact with FP services. However, little is known about the clients' experiences of FP services that are integrated with childhood immunisations, despite being crucial to contraceptive uptake and repeat service utilisation.METHODS:The responsiveness of FP services that were integrated with childhood immunisations in Malawi was assessed using cross-sectional convergent mixed methods. Exit interviews with clients (n=146) and audits (n=15) were conducted in routine outreach clinics. Responsiveness scores across eight domains were determined according to the proportion of clients who rated each domain positively. Text summary analyses of qualitative data from cognitive interviewing probes were also conducted to explain responsiveness scores. Additionally, Spearman rank correlation and Pearson's chi-squared test were used to identify correlations between domain ratings and to examine associations between domain ratings and client, service and clinic characteristics.RESULTS:Responsiveness scores varied across domains: dignity (97.9%); service continuity (90.9%); communication (88.7%); ease of access (77.2%); counselling (66.4%); confidentiality (62.0%); environment (53.9%) and choice of provider (28.4%). Despite some low performing domains, 98.6% of clients said they would recommend the clinic to a friend or family member interested in FP. The choice of provider, communication, confidentiality and counselling ratings were positively associated with clients' exclusive use of one clinic for FP services. Also, the organisation of services in the clinics and the providers' individual behaviours were found to be critical to service responsiveness.CONCLUSIONS:This study establishes that in routine outreach clinics, FP services can be responsive when integrated with childhood immunisations, particularly in terms of the dignity and service continuity afforded to clients, though less so in terms of the choice of provider, environment, and confidentiality experienced. Additionally, it demonstrates the value of combining cognitive interviewing techniques with Likert questions to assess service responsiveness.

Background To increase access to eye care, the World Health Organization’s Africa Region recently launched a primary eye care (PEC) package for sub-Saharan Africa. To determine the technical feasibility of implementing this package, the capacity of health systems at primary level needs to be assessed, to identify capacity gaps that would need to be addressed to deliver effective and sustainable PEC. This study reports on the human resource and governance challenges for delivering PEC in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods Design: This was a mixed methods feasibility study. A desk review of relevant Nigerian national health policy documents on both eye health and primary health care was conducted, and 48 primary health care facilities in Anambra state were surveyed. Data on human resource and governance in primary health facilities were collected using structured questionnaires and through observation with checklists. In-depth interviews were conducted with district supervisors and selected heads of facilities to explore the opportunities and challenges for the delivery of PEC in their facilities/districts. Data were analysed using the World Health Organization’s health system framework. Results A clear policy for PEC is lacking. Supervision was conducted at least quarterly in 54% of facilities and 56% of facilities did not use the standard clinical management guidelines. There were critical shortages of health workers with 82% of facilities working with less than 20% of the number recommended. Many facilities used volunteers and/or ad hoc workers to mitigate staff shortages. Conclusion Our study highlights the policy, governance and health workforce gaps that will need to be addressed to deliver PEC in Nigeria. Developing and implementing a specific policy for PEC is recommended. Implementation of existing national health policies may help address health workforce shortages at the primary health care level.

National immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs) develop immunization-related recommendations. Systematic reviews are recommended to be used in this process, but conducting them requires significant resources, which many NITAGs lack. Using existing systematic reviews could help address this problem. The Robert Koch Institute and collaborators set up the SYSVAC2 project to facilitate the retrieval of existing systematic reviews and offer guidance on using them. This will include an online registry of systematic reviews relevant to immunization policy and an online course on how to use existing reviews. This report describes an international expert workshop held in December 2019 to develop consensus on methods for using existing reviews and other relevant factors for the registry and course. Members from NITAGs representing different regions of the world presented their experiences of using systematic reviews and reflected on challenges inhibiting use. Three methodologists considered different aspects of using systematic reviews. Interactive sessions followed, where implications for SYSVAC2 were discussed. Participants supported having critical appraisal ratings, plain language summaries, keyword search, and data visualization functions in the registry. They suggested tailoring course content to different audiences and including overviews of reviews as a topic and examples of how NITAGs have used or could use existing reviews. Participants agreed that whether a review is out-of-date should be decided by those using the review rather than registry staff. The registry could help by highlighting the date of literature search or included primary studies. Participants recommended a visualization function to highlight overlap across reviews and guidance on handling challenges to using reviews, ideally, involving a practical element. No consensus was reached on which critical appraisal tool to use for reviews in the registry, but a majority of participants wanted registry staff to perform appraisals. Formative research is planned before the registry and online course are launched in 2020.