The purpose of the Health Evaluation, Applied Research, and Development (HEARD) Project undertake research efforts to accelerate progress towards achieving USAID’s global health and development goals. these goals include Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Death (EPCMD), achieving an AIDS-Free Generation (AFG), and Protecting Communities from Infectious Diseases Initiatives, including the Global Health Security Agenda. USAID's efforts in maternal and child survival focus on 25 priority countries that account for more than 66% of global maternal and child deaths.