Global Health Matters e-newsletter from Fogarty International Center at NIH

September / October 2019

Innovative mHealth projects receive $5M

Fogarty and its partners from across NIH plan to award $5 million to support innovative exploratory and developmental mobile health research in low- and middle-income countries through Fogarty’s Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes program.

Researcher seated across from a patient enters data on a mobile device.

Scientists in Madagascar study novel methods to predict disease spread

With support from the NIH-NSF Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Initiative, a new project will help develop and apply new frameworks for predicting the spread of zoonotic diseases.

 A researcher in protective mask and clothing peers into a microscope in an outdoor lab with trees in the background.

Fogarty awards $10M to early-career researchers

To bolster promising global health research careers, Fogarty and its partners are awarding $9.9 million through two career development programs. Recipients will study a variety of health-related disciplines, including tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

Scanning electron micrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause tuberculosis.

Opinion: Celebrating 30 years of capacity building in Rakai, Uganda

Fogarty Director Dr. Roger I. Glass discusses how the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year, has played a vital role in preparing low- and middle-income country scientists for the battle against HIV/AIDS.

 Medical worker takes a participant’s blood pressure.

Building AIDS research capacity in Botswana

Dr. Simani Gaseitsiwe of the Botswana Harvard Partnership discusses his Fogarty training, his approach to mentoring, and the importance of building local research capacity.

 Simani Gaseitsiwe working in a lab.

FOCUS: Biomedical engineering in Africa

Africa’s unique context and health care challenges would benefit from specially tailored technology solutions, rather than its current reliance on imports from industrialized nations. Appropriately designed technologies can be used in the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease, which can save lives as well as money.

To meet that need, the continent must develop its own biomedical engineers who are familiar with local needs and resource constraints, according to Biomedical Engineering for Africa, a book published recently by Fogarty grantees and collaborators.

 Medical worker examines patient’s eye in exam room using smartphone.

Close up for eyeglasses with small white plastic crutch for the eyelid attached.

Close up of hand dragging square magnet along thin clear plastic tube, liquid in tube is attracted by the magnet.

Also in this issue

  • Profile: Fogarty Fellow uses legal skills to study human rights and HIV/AIDS in Kenya
    Neiloy Sircar, the first lawyer to participate in Fogarty’s Global Health Fellows and Scholars program, examined consent, privacy and confidentiality as part of Kenya's strategy to control HIV and link more people with treatment.

  • WHO calls for more research into microplastics pollution
    The WHO has released an assessment on microplastics in drinking water that suggests current levels aren’t a human health risk, but more research is needed.

  • People in the news:

    • Former NLM Director Dr. Donald A.B. Lindberg dies
    • Environmental health director Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum is retiring
    • Dr. Debara L. Tucci to lead deafness institute
    • Dr. Richard Benson is new global health head for NIH neurological institute
    • Winnie Byanyima chosen to lead UNAIDS
    • Dr. Charles Rotimi recognized for human genetics research
    • Dr. Michele Ramsay is among distinguished women researchers
    • New academic role for grantee Dr. Carey Farquhar
    • Dr. Ann Cashion retires from NIH nursing institute
    • Details: People in the news

  • Global health briefs:

    • NIH Director publishes innovation forecast
    • NICHD launches strategic plan
    • NIMH unveils research toolbox
    • WHO reports on HIV drug resistance
    • Report from WHO says better nutrition saves lives
    • Global pandemic preparedness lacking
    • Details: Global health briefs

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Global Health Matters is produced by the Office of Communications at the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center. For more information, please contact managing editor Ann Puderbaugh at ann.puderbaugh@nih.gov or 301-496-2075.

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The Fogarty International Center, the international component of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, addresses global health challenges through innovative and collaborative research and training programs and supports and advances the NIH mission through international partnerships.

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