 Systems thinking has been increasingly applied to policy and program development in recent years. Haines ETAL's original paper and subsequent commentaries have focused on the upstream connection between capacity building for systems thinking and systems-informed decision-making. This commentary examines the downstream connection between systems-informed decision-making and broader impacts on the health system, the health of the population and other economic and social benefits. Storytelling, systems-based synthesis and systems intervention principles are discussed as potential approaches to strengthening the evidence base. In order for systems thinking to be widely accepted and applied to complex health-related challenges, there needs to be more evidence demonstrating its impact. This article was authored by Diane T. Feingood.