Advancing Global Health Security through Rapid Operational Research on Diagnostics during Outbreaks

Global health security (GHS) relies on accurate and timely diagnosis of pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as effective and timely interventions.1 Operational research (OR), defined as “research into strategies, interventions, and tools or knowledge that can enhance the quality, coverage, and effectiveness or performance of the health system or program in which the research is being conducted,” plays a crucial role in advancing GHS worldwide.2 Operational research conducted in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) helps bolster GHS by ensuring that global health policy and programmatic recommendations, strategies, and interventions, which are often developed based on insights and findings from high-income countries, are appropriately adapted and relevant to LMICs