Data-driven ways to reduce heat-related illness in Africa
Developing data science solutions to mitigate the health impacts of heat in Africa: the HE2AT Center
Using health, weather, and air-quality data to help protect people in sub‑Saharan Africa—especially pregnant people and newborns—from heat-related health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Parktown, South Africa) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145676 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
A multi-country team is building a linked data system that combines health records with weather, air quality, and location information to spot when heat harms people. They will reuse existing pregnancy and newborn data collected across sub‑Saharan Africa and run two main projects plus several pilot projects to test practical solutions. The Center includes training, community engagement, and data-management efforts so findings can be used by health workers and public-health programs. Over five years the goal is to turn these linked data and analyses into tools and guidance that lower heat-related illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in sub‑Saharan Africa are the main focus, with special attention to pregnant people and newborns whose health information is included in existing regional cohorts or trials.
Not a fit: Individuals outside sub‑Saharan Africa or those without linked health or location data are unlikely to see direct benefits from the Center's initial projects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce early-warning tools, guidance, and targeted actions that reduce heat-related illness and deaths, particularly for pregnant people and newborns in the region.
How similar studies have performed: Heat‑health early-warning systems have reduced harm in some settings, but combining large African pregnancy and newborn datasets with weather and air-quality data at this scale is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Parktown, South Africa
- Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD — Parktown, South Africa (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chersich, Matthew Francis — Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD
- Study coordinator: Chersich, Matthew Francis
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.