In 2007, the Centre for Global Health at the University of Ottawa was designated as the WHO Collaborating Center for Knowledge Translation and Health Technology Assessment in Health Equity. The Centre promotes the concept of technology assessment, the establishment of technology assessment systems, methodological support, training seminars in member countries, and collaborating among institutions with similar intent. To date, the Centre has focused on the development of a "tool kit" for needs-based and equity-oriented policy decisions and decision-aids for patient information.