Lead Investigator: Matthew Chersich, Wits Reproductive Health Institute at University of the Witwatersrand
Title of Proposal Research: Developing data science solutions to mitigate the health impacts of climate change in Africa: The Heat and Health African Transdisciplinary Center (HE²AT Center)
Vivli Data Request: 9234
Funding Source: The research project is funded by Fogarty International Center and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and OD/Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54 TW 012083.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: None
Summary of the Proposed Research:
The presented research delves into the pressing issue of heat vulnerability in African cities, shedding light on its significance and implications for both science and public health. In the context of Africa, the research identifies how high temperatures and heat waves pose severe health risks. Alarmingly, it predicts nearly 92,000 deaths per year from heat waves in the region by 2030, with Sub-Saharan Africa expected to be one of the worst affected areas. This underscores the urgency of understanding and mitigating heat vulnerabilities to protect vulnerable populations effectively.
While other studies have looked at heat dangers and how the environment is at risk, this research is taking a broader and more varied approach. It’s not just looking at weather conditions contributing to risk; it’s also checking how geography, the environment, and the demographic in African cities all interact. By integrating medical and climate science with geospatial analysis (analysis of geographical locations) and computer science, the goal is to find new information about heat vulnerability and its impact on urban populations.
Our project aims to use advanced data analysis to understand how rising temperatures affect health outcomes in African cities and to develop an Early Warning System to inform communities about high-heat risks. The selection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related studies for analysis is based on the unique vulnerabilities of HIV-positive individuals to extreme heat, providing crucial insights into urban heat-health dynamics.
HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, which makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections. In extreme heat, people with HIV face challenges due to a weakened immune system and medication side effects which affect how their body can handle heat. HIV positive individuals may get dehydrated more easily, and the stress from high temperatures might make their health issues worse.
The research highlights the heightened risk faced by the urban poor, particularly those living in informal settlements with limited access to resources such as cool water, air-conditioned spaces, and health services. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions like HIV, are at increased risk.
This research holds significant relevance to both science and public health. By addressing this pressing issue, the research has the potential to save countless lives and protect the health and well-being of urban populations in Africa and beyond.
Requested Studies:
An Open-label Study Evaluating the Resistance Profile of Single Dose Nevirapine(NVP) When Combined With a 4 or 7 Day Course of Combivir® (ZDV/3TC) Compared to Single Dose Nevirapine for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (pMTCT) of HIV – Treatment Options Preservation Study (T.O.P.S.)
Data Contributor: Boehringer Ingelheim
Study ID: NCT00144183
Sponsor ID: 1100.1413
The ORIGIN Trial (Outcome Reduction With Initial Glargine Intervention) (ORIGIN)
Data Contributor: Sanofi
Study ID: NCT00069784
Sponsor ID: NCT00069784