Global Health program on air pollution and heat exposure in Eastern Africa
Official title: Global Environmental and Occupational Health Research and Training for Eastern Africa
Funded at Addis Ababa University · NIH-11549930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multilingual, multi-institution program studies how air pollution and extreme heat affect children’s health in Eastern Africa and helps train researchers who can improve health in this region and beyond.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Addis Ababa University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) |
| Project start | September 28, 2015 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $90,914 |
| NIH project number | 3U01TW010094-10S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11549930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include adolescents and other residents in the study regions who may be exposed to high air pollution and heat.
✕Less likely to help
Populations not exposed to high air pollution or heat may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds an interdisciplinary, mentored research and training effort focused on how air pollution and occupational heat stress impact health in adolescents and other groups in Eastern Africa. It includes testing new US-developed air quality monitoring technologies and collaborating with Addis Ababa University, the University of Nairobi, and other partners to build local capacity. The work aims to track lung function, renal health, and neurocognitive outcomes as pollution levels rise, and to translate findings into safer air quality standards. Participants may come from local communities involved in the research activities and related training programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could inform safer air quality standards and improve respiratory and overall health for people exposed to high pollution and heat.
How similar studies have gone: The project builds on prior successes and aims to replicate and extend findings similar to the California Children’s Health Study in Eastern Africa.
Where this research is happening
-
Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumie, Abera Takele — Addis Ababa University
- Study coordinator: Kumie, Abera Takele
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.