Using calculations from the Lives Saved Tool in other global health modelling tools

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Demography
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The Lives Saved Tool (LiST) is a key software for modeling child, neonatal, and maternal mortality.
• Historically, LiST has been used primarily as a standalone tool via desktop or online interfaces.
• Direct integration of LiST's modeling capabilities into other software was previously limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the new web-based application programming interface (API) for the Lives Saved Tool (LiST).
• To enable direct interaction between LiST and other software programs for enhanced data utilization.
• To facilitate the integration of LiST's mortality modeling into more complex health systems analyses and custom tools.

Main Methods:

• Development of a web-based application programming interface (API) for the LiST software.
• Enabling programmatic access to LiST's internal calculations and underlying datasets.
• Providing access to extensive data on intervention effectiveness, coverage, mortality rates, and child nutrition in LMICs.

Main Results:

• The LiST API allows seamless integration with other software, expanding its application.
• Facilitates the use of LiST within larger, more complex modeling frameworks.
• Enables the creation of specialized tools with tailored interfaces for specific global health research needs.
• Grants access to a comprehensive repository of global health data maintained by the LiST team.

Conclusions:

• The LiST API significantly enhances the utility and accessibility of LiST's modeling capabilities.
• It empowers researchers and developers to build innovative tools for data-driven decision-making in global health.
• The API promotes broader and more sophisticated use of LiST's 20+ years of development for improving child, neonatal, and maternal health outcomes.