Urban residents face a triple threat, characterized by the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases, persistent outbreaks of infectious disease, and an increased risk of violence and injuries. The urbanization has significantly affected vulnerable urban population in Bangladesh and Nepal. Despite the introduction of urban health policies in 2014 in Nepal, the unique challenges faced by the urban poor, such as their lack of permanent housing and stable employment, have resulted in their exclusion from government records in Nepal. Similarly, in Bangladesh, the unregulated proliferation of the private sector and unethical practices among service providers has led to high out-of-pocket expenses for the urban poor. Addressing these disparities requires evidence-based policy decisions to tackle emerging urban health challenges, especially those affecting the poor.

The uptake of evidence is essential to inform policies. Since mass media play a vital role in framing public issues and setting agendas, providing perspectives and influencing audience opinions, they are influencing stakeholders to help shape urban health policies. However, the questions such as how information are gathered by news media, what type of information are used by policy makers to address the urban health challenges are largely unknown. In this context, this study aims to understand how information are sourced by news media, and how public health research evidence are communicated through the news media (Online, Print and television) for informing policies and practices around urban health issues in Bangladesh and Nepal. This our study will address policy issues on urban health.

Specifically, the project aims to

1. To identify sources and types of evidence used by health journalists in news media to inform policy-makers around urban/public health- related issues
2. To explore the perceptions and experience of journalists translating research evidence related to public/urban health issues to inform policy-makers through various news media (online, print and television media) in Bangladesh and Nepal.
3. To explore the perceptions and experience of health policy-makers taking up research evidence through various news media and reflecting on policies related to public/urban health issues in Bangladesh and Nepal