Finding ways to reduce health problems caused by climate change in Africa
Official title: Developing data science solutions to mitigate the health impacts of climate change in Africa: the HE2AT Center
Funded at Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD · NIH-10892747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to help people in Africa stay healthy as climate change causes more heat and rising temperatures, so that those most affected can get better support and care.
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 start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,299,782 |
| NIH project number | 5U54TW012083-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include individuals living in sub-Saharan Africa who are vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, such as those with pre-existing health conditions or those living in low-income settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside of sub-Saharan Africa or those not affected by climate-related health issues may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative solutions to address the health impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable populations across Africa. By creating a comprehensive data ecosystem that integrates biomedical, environmental, and geospatial data, the project aims to better understand how rising temperatures and heat waves affect health. A diverse team of experts, including heat physiologists, public health practitioners, and data scientists, will collaborate on various research and pilot projects over five years to implement these solutions. Patients may benefit from improved health strategies and interventions tailored to the climate-related challenges they face.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in health outcomes for populations affected by climate change in Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using data science approaches to address public health issues, indicating that this method has potential for impactful outcomes.
Where this research is happening
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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.