As part of this project, three datasets were compiled: (1) a systematic collection of international health programmes for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the GMS in the period 2000-2016; (2) a dataset of internationally co-authored publications on avian influenza involving authors with institutional affiliations in GMS countries, formatted and organized to enable network analysis of bibliometric patterns; (3) 70 key informant interviews and meetings with key stakeholders in Cambodia and Vietnam. In this archive, the first two datasets are available. The third dataset is not available due to confidentiality agreements, though collected material has been incorporated and summarized in the research report.It is increasingly recognised that many policy issues, such as infectious disease control, transcend national borders, and require collective action and the sharing of data and expertise between stakeholders. In recognition of this, regional health programmes, networks, and initiatives have been established in different regional settings to promote collaboration and coordination between researchers, policy makers and health authorities in affected countries. However, gaps remain in our knowledge of these developments, including changing trends and priorities over time, institutional arrangements, patterns in the flow of data and information, and challenges to meaningful and effective knowledge exchange, especially in developing contexts. This project aimed to gain a better understanding of these issues by exploring in a systematic way the evolution of regional cooperation for infectious disease control in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and current implementation challenges.

First dataset (regional programmes): a preliminary mapping of key stakeholders and data sources was conducted after consultations with informants in Southeast Asia. Subsequently, regional programmes, initiatives, and networks were identified through searches in publicly available online archives and repositories, including those of donors and institutions. Information on relevant variables (ie budget, type of programme, management, countries, health issue, main activities) was collected from the same sources. Programmes were selected only if at least two countries in the GMS were included in the programme configuration (i.e. Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam). Second dataset (international collaborations in avian influenza research): Systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Medline databases was conducted by using the keywords (H5N1 OR avian influenza). Papers were selected if: (1) there were at least two authors and these were affiliated to organisations from different countries; (2) one of the authors was affiliated to an organisation in one of the following countries: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Subsequently, information on institutional affiliations was collected (e.g. type of institution, position, country) to enable social network analysis of collaboration patterns. Description of categorical variables is provided in the attached document.