POP ULA TION Annual report 2003 COUNCIL Population Council 3 Center for Biomedical Research 4 International Programs Division 5 Policy Research Division 6 Corporate Affairs Division 7 Office of the Secretary-Treasurer 7 Office of Development 7 Distinguished Colleagues 7 Board of Trustees 8 Officers 9 President’s Message 10 Selected 2003 activities 13 Moving a contraceptive vaginal ring closer to market 14 Making contraceptives widely available 15 Enhancing clients’ knowledge and use of contraceptives through better quality of care 16 Investigating childbirth practices in an Egyptian hospital 17 Improving breastfeeding practices among HIV-positive women in Zambia 18 Documenting a gender gap in opportunities among Pakistani youth 19 Researching the challenges posed by urban growth 20 Examining trends in the health of older adults 21 Producing a new population encyclopedia 22 Nurturing scholarship through the Middle East Research Awards 23 Publications 25 Staff and Consultants 31 Advisory and Collaborative Bodies 34 Fellows 35 Awards and Contracts 38 Financial Report 41 Population Council Offices 47 Annual report 2003 Population Council he Population Council, an international, THE COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES T nonprofit, nongovernmental organization INCLUDE: established in 1952, seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future • conducting fundamental biomedical generations around the world and to help achieve research in reproduction; a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance • developing contraceptives and products between people and resources. such as microbicides to prevent the Research, technical assistance, and capacity build- sexual transmission of HIV; ing are carried out by the Center for Biomedical Research, the International Programs Division, and • doing studies to improve the quality the Policy Research Division. and cost-effectiveness of services related Council headquarters and the Center for to family planning and HIV/AIDS; Biomedical Research are located in New York City; the Council also maintains an office in Washington, • conducting research on health and DC, and an international presence through its four behavior, family dynamics and gender, regional offices and 14 additional offices. and causes and consequences of popu- The Council staff consists of over 560 women lation growth; and men from 38 countries, half of whom hold • strengthening professional resources in advanced degrees. Roughly 50 percent are based developing countries through collabo- outside the United States. Council staff members rative research, awards, fellowships, conduct research and programs in 70 countries. and training; The Population Council is governed by a board of trustees composed of men and women from nine • publishing innovative research in countries. This group includes leaders in biomedicine, multiple peer-reviewed outlets, main- business, economic development, government, health, taining a comprehensive Web site, and international finance, the media, philanthropy, and communicating research results to key social science. audiences around the world. The organization’s funds come from governments, multilateral organizations, foundations and other non- governmental organizations, corporations, individuals, and internal sources. The Council’s expenditures for 2003 were US$73.3 million. 3 CENTER FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH he Center for Biomedical Research undertakes basic research AREAS OF RESEARCH in the reproductive sciences and immunology and develops T AND TRAINING IN 2003 technologies that enable individuals to enhance their health and have safe, planned pregnancies. The center is one of the world’s Contraceptive and reproductive leading laboratories in the fields of contraceptive development health product development and research in reproductive biology. Vaginal rings for contraceptive Staff members in the Product Research and Development and therapeutic use program conduct applied research and develop new technologies Subdermal implants for for the contraceptive and other health needs of women and women and men men. Research and development areas include microbicides, which are preparations that may protect against sexually trans- Transdermal products for women and men mitted infections including HIV and chlamydia; woman-con- trolled contraceptives; products for hormone therapy for women Intrauterine delivery systems and men; and contraceptives for men. Clinical trials of drug for- Microbicides mulations in a variety of delivery systems developed at the cen- Probing studies in female and male ter are carried out by the Council’s International Committee for contraception Contraception Research, a group of clinicians who evaluate the Council’s experimental products, and other investigators in Probing studies in female and male hormonal therapy developing countries. Carraguard®, the Council’s candidate microbicide, has been Reproductive biology and immunology shown to be safe and highly acceptable to women in early clinical studies. Final preparations are underway for efficacy Genetic mechanisms of androgen trials in South Africa. action The Reproductive Biology and Immunology program includes Physiology of Sertoli cells studies of the effects of reproductive hormones on gene activa- Development and physiology of tion, male germ cell development, cell-to-cell communication, Leydig cells the consequences of environmental endocrine disruptors on Testicular proteins male reproductive function, and sperm maturation. Determi- nation of the role of dendritic cells in the transmission and Germ cell dynamics spread of immunodeficiency viruses and investigation of ways to Regulation of gonadal–pituitary block these processes are emerging areas of research. Results interaction from these laboratory studies contribute to the identification of Transmission of immunodeficiency new leads for contraceptives and hormone therapies, for treat- viruses ment of a variety of cancers, such as in the breast, prostate, and testis, and for prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Strengthening professional resources Through its postdoctoral training program in reproductive Biomedical fellowship program biomedicine, the center enlarges the community of scientists, Christopher Tietze Fellowship particularly those from developing countries, whose research may lead to advances in health care and contraception. Elof Johansson, vice president, heads the Center for Biomedical Research. Régine Sitruk-Ware is executive director of product research and development. James Catterall is director of reproductive biology and immunology. The center’s staff of 82 includes 21 scientists, three senior administrators, and other professional and support staff; in addition, 14 postdoctoral fel- lows work at the center, which is located on the campus of the Rockefeller University. 4 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIVISION he International Programs Division undertakes collabora- AREAS OF RESEARCH T tive research with governments, nongovernmental organi- AND TRAINING IN 2003 zations, universities, and scientific institutions in developing countries to improve delivery of family planning, reproductive Reproductive health health, and HIV/AIDS prevention and care services; to enhance Elimination of female genital cutting understanding of the determinants of reproductive and sexual Expanding contraceptive choice health; and to focus greater attention on gender issues and New approaches to postpartum care male–female partnerships. The division also provides training Quality and cost-effectiveness of and technical assistance and disseminates the results of its reproductive health and obstetric research to inform population and health policy. Strengthening care professional resources in developing countries is an objective of Reproductive health needs of all of the division’s programs. adolescents Staff members in the Horizons program carry out research Safe motherhood on promising, cost-effective strategies for preventing the trans- Unwanted pregnancy and the mission of HIV/AIDS, ensuring high-quality care and support, consequences of unsafe abortion providing treatment, and mitigating the effects of the epidemic. Frontiers in Reproductive Health staff members develop and test HIV/AIDS/STIs innovative, cost-effective solutions to reproductive health serv- Acceptability of vaginal microbicides ice-delivery problems. Frontiers staff members provide this Adherence to antiretroviral therapy research-based evidence to key policymakers and program Cost-effective ways to prevent managers and increase the capacity of institutions to imple- HIV transmission and to provide ment and sustain client-centered programs. care and support to persons The Reproductive Health program explores such issues as infected with or affected by preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), improving HIV/AIDS childbirth and postpartum care, and reducing unsafe abortion Integration of HIV/AIDS/STI services with reproductive health and its consequences. The Gender, Family, and Development programs program examines the ways that social, economic, and cultural Reduction of mother-to-child factors affect individuals’, especially adolescents’, productive transmission of HIV/AIDS and reproductive lives. The division’s work is developed, implemented, and evalu- Gender, family, and development ated by Council staff in its New York and Washington, DC, Adolescent livelihood studies offices, four regional offices, and 14 additional country offices Gender-sensitive policy for in partnership