Overview
What Are the HIPs?
High Impact Practices (HIPs) are a set of evidence-based family planning practices vetted by experts against specific criteria and documented in an easy-to-use format.
Endorsed by more than 60 organizations, HIPs help build consensus around our current understanding of what works in family planning.
HIPs are identified based on demonstrated magnitude of impact on contraceptive use and potential application in a wide range of settings. Consideration is also given to other relevant outcome measures including unintended pregnancy, fertility, or one of the primary proximate determinants of fertility (delay of marriage, birth spacing, or breast feeding). Evidence of replicability, scalability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness are also examined.
HIPs are categorized as:
In addition, technologies or practices that are not typically standalone interventions, but rather implemented in conjunction with HIPs to further intensify the impact of the HIPs, are referred to as HIP Enhancements. The intended purpose and impact of enhancements are focused and, therefore the evidence-base and impact of an enhancement is subject to different standards than a HIP brief.
The HIP briefs can be used for advocacy, strategic planning, program design, exploration of research gaps, to inform policies and guidelines, and to support implementation. Review Guidance for Developing an Evidence Brief.
Watch a recorded webinar that addresses the use of appropriate standards of evidence for recommending best practices in family planning and reproductive health.