Alfredo Fort
Alfredo L. Fort, MD, MS, PhD
Area Manager for the Americas Region
Department of Reproductive Health and Research
The World Health Organization (WHO)
Tel. direct: +41 22 791 4206
Fax direct: +41 22 791 4171
Mobile: +41 79 477 1733
E-mail: forta@who.int
Website: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth
Alfredo Fort recently joined WHO as a Scientist at the Department of Reproductive Health and Research (under the Cluster of Family and Community Health). He is Area Manager for the Americas for the Special Programme of Research and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) at the department. In such capacity, he manages and promotes sexual and reproductive health research in the region. Previously, between 2004 and early 2010, Dr. Fort has served as senior health advisor for USAID’s MEASURE DHS (demographic and health surveys) project, based in Calverton, Maryland (USA) overseeing all health-related aspects of the DHS questionnaire and surveys, service provision assessments (SPA), nutrition, and biomarkers. Dr. Fort’s expertise includes research and survey planning and conduct; program conceptual framework and monitoring and evaluation; maternal and neonatal health; family planning and reproductive health program planning, conduct, and evaluation; applied medical statistics; qualitative research; primary health care in less-developed countries; and health program management. Before working at DHS, Dr. Fort worked for IntraHealth International for six years as the Director of Evaluation and Research for the PRIME Project, based in North Carolina, USA, where he was responsible for the design, oversight, and conduct of program evaluation and special studies for PRIME projects and initiatives related to training and supporting primary reproductive health providers. Earlier, as Health Sector Manager for CARE Peru for six years, he was in charge of primary health care, rural water and sanitation, family planning, and reproductive health programs. Dr. Fort has also held a number of academic positions in the US, UK, and Peru. He has a PhD in Medical Demography (Population and Family Planning) and an MS in Community Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London; a postgraduate diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, London; and an MD from Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University Medical School, Lima, Peru. Dr. Fort is fluent in Spanish and English and has working knowledge of French.
Professional experience
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Scientist - Area Manager for the Americas, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Special Programme of Research and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP).
Manages research capacity strengthening and special initiatives' grants for the region. Conducts research in maternal-perinatal health and family planning. Oversees clinical trials and other research conducted by the department's technical teams in the region. - PATH (seconded to ICF Macro), Calverton, MD, USA, 2004 to 2010
Senior Health Adviser, MEASURE Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Project
Oversees all health-related aspects of DHS questionnaire, surveys and reports, service provision assessments (SPA), nutrition, and biomarker areas. Designs and finalizes SPAs and participates in the International Health Facility Assessment Network; ensures maintenance of quality standards and contributes to international initiatives in the nutrition field; researches and develops indicators of maternal and neonatal health. Manages country projects. Participates in senior management activities, including attending DHS partners’ meetings, serves as DHS representative at national and international meetings, and prepares reports to USAID. Mentors and oversees staff related to the health sector of DHS (SPA, biomarkers, nutrition) and promotes qualitative research at DHS. - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, 2000 to present
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education
Co-examiner at MCH Department final comprehensive MPH exams. Invited/guest lecturer, tutor, and examiner for masters and PhD degree students at the School of Public Health. - IntraHealth International, Chapel Hill, NC, 1998 to 2004
Director of Evaluation and Research, PRIME Project
In charge of the design, oversight, and conduct of program monitoring and evaluation and special studies for PRIME projects and initiatives. Studies and assessments related to training and support of primary reproductive health providers, including program effects and outcomes on provider performance, clients and communities. Wrote and oversaw the completion of PRIME’s Technical Reports for dissemination of results and project lessons learned. - CARE-Peru, Lima, 1992 to 1998
Health Sector Manager
In charge of primary health care (PHC), rural water and sanitation, family planning, and reproductive health programs. Initiated the health sector in CARE-Peru, with funding from USAID and Overseas Development Administration/DfID for PHC (through local NGO subfinancing) and community-based–distribution family planning and reproductive health projects. Oversaw a strong water, sanitation, and community health multi-donor project. Co-designed two USAID-funded projects: a large maternal-perinatal health project (Project 2000) as a consortium venture, and a child survival project (ENLACE). Conducted active donor search and proposal design, resulting in a $3.5 million yearly portfolio. All health projects located in inner and rural areas of the country. - Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University), Lima Peru, 1992 to 1997
Lecturer (part-time) at the Demography and Biostatistics Department. Organized a Demography and Statistics course unit for MPH Bio-Statistics. Member of the Instituto de Estudios de Población (Population Studies Institute); co-designer and founder of PROSAR (Reproductive Health Program), funded by The Ford Foundation. - Institute of Population Studies, University of Exeter, UK, 1990 to 1992
Lecturer of Statistics Applied to Population/Family Planning, Family Planning Impact Evaluation courses; PhD and MSc students' tutor. Designed and was awarded a grant from Andrew Mellon Foundation for further analysis of DHS data (Determinants of Traditional Method Use of Contraception in Peru and Bolivia). - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Centre For Population Studies, UK, 1986 to 1992
Lecturer for short courses on Family Planning Impact Evaluation and Basic Demography and MSc Medical Demography course. - Peruvian Amazon National University, Human Medicine Faculty, Iquitos, Peru, 1984 to 1985
Head of Public Health Department; Lecturer on Health Research Methodology. - Ministry Of Health, Amazon Health Region, Iquitos Peru, 1983 to 1985
Director of Maternal and Child Health Services (including Family Planning) and Officer in Charge of Project 1301 (maternal and child health/family planning) with UNFPA.
Director of Rural Services and Officer in Charge of Project “Development and Extension of Health Services in the Amazon Region" with UNDP. - Save The Children Fund, Tambo-Ene River Project, Peru, 1982 to 1983
Epidemiologist and Medical Officer, Ashaninka Native/Ethnic Communities, jungle of Satipo, Peru. - Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Program, Lima, Peru, 1981
Chief of Health, Jicamarca peasant community, Outer Lima, Peru. - Peruvian Pharmaceutical Association, Social Extension Program, Lima, Peru, 1979 to 1980
Physician in charge of Maternal and Child Health/Family Planning Program, Jose Carlos Mariategui shantytown. - Ministry of Health, Graduates Civil Service, Lima, Peru, 1979 to 1980
Physician in charge of reopening and running a health post in Ate shantytown.
Selected publications
- Fort AL, Kothari MT, Abderrahim N. Association between Maternal, Birth and Newborn Characteristics and Neonatal Mortality in Five Asian Countries. DHS Working Papers. 2008 No. 55. [Free Full Text]
- Fort AL, Kothari MT, Abderrahim N. Postpartum Care : Levels and Determinants in Developing Countries. DHS Comparative Reports. 2006 No.15. [Free Full Text]
- Fort AL, Voltero L. Factors affecting the performance of maternal health care providers in Armenia. Hum Resour Health. 2004 Jun 22;2(1):8. [Free Full Text]
- Fort AL, Newman CJ. Defining the Components of "Performance" in Family Planning/Reproductive Health for Conceptual Clarity and Sounder Measurement. Journal of Health and Population in Developing Countries. 2003 Jun 26. [Free Full Text]
- Necochea E, Fort A. Measurement and evaluation in performance improvement in international reproductive health. Perf. Improv. 2003 9;42(8):9-13. [Abstract]
- Fullerton J, Fort A, Johal K. A case/comparison study in the Eastern Region of Ghana on the effects of incorporating selected reproductive health services on family planning services. Midwifery. 2003 Mar;19(1):17-26. [Abstract]
- Fort AL. More evils of CYP. Stud Fam Plann. 1996 Aug;27(4):228-31. [Abstract]
Online presentations
- Monitoring and evaluating family planning / reproductive health programmes: an introduction - Alfredo Luis Fort (PDF)
- Monitoring and evaluating family planning / reproductive health programmes: an introduction - Alfredo Luis Fort - Training Course in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research 2012 (presentation with audio)
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