Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) addresses systemic challenges in order to improve service delivery while supporting implementation of public health priority programmes, and thus contributing to improved population health. This article describes the field of HPSR; it clarifies the ways that HPSR can strengthen health systems, and considers existing assets and challenges facing development of this field in South Africa. It closes with suggested strategies and priorities for building public health capacity nationally, such as conducting more research with a systems perspective rather than a singular focus on intervention
