University of Huddersfield to lead on global health research project
A team of researchers at the University of Huddersfield has been awarded University Research Fellowship (URF) funding for a global health research project. The funding will support the team’s work in bringing together a network of international researchers to study non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, with a similar study to take place in India and Nepal.
Led by Professor Padam Simkhada and Senior Lecturer Precious Adade Duodu, from the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield, the research project aims to track the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of NCDs. During a recent visit to the University of Ghana, both teams agreed to collaborate on this ambitious URF-funded project. This pioneering effort is set to provide valuable data for evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations, contributing to the global understanding of NCDs.
Professor Simkhada commented, "I am thrilled to announce the initiation of our longitudinal study on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. This venture signifies our dedication to understanding and tackling the changing circumstances of this dynamic nation. Through this study, we aim to gain valuable insights into the trends and impacts of NCDs over time, contributing to sustainable development and positive transformation. Together, we embark on a journey towards a future shaped by knowledge, empathy and collective progress.”
Precious Adade Duodu commented, “It's extremely exciting to be part of setting up this all-important longitudinal study which will have long-lasting impact on population health, disease prevention and management.”
The Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, commented, “This longitudinal study represents a groundbreaking endeavour, marking the first of its kind in Ghana. The University of Ghana takes great pride in hosting and supporting this significant research initiative."
Global Consortium for Public Health Research
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of public health research and the need to work collaboratively on a global scale. The University of Huddersfield recently established the Global Consortium for Public Health Research (GCPHR), supported by the International Collaborative Fund (ICF), which promotes global health research networks. It comprises of teams from the University of Huddersfield and the University of Ghana, as well as other academic and industrial institutions in the UK, USA, Nepal, Canada, India, Qatar, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, among others.
This project was initiated through the GCPHR and serves as a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, among others to share insights, resources, and best practices. It creates a dynamic space for interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, joint research projects, and capacity building in the fields of medicine, public health, nursing, midwifery, sociology, and other related fields.
The URF funding will enable the consortium to expand on its existing research network with the addition of new international researchers, which will strengthen this global partnership and its research into the causes and risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).