Research centre will address global health challenges

A new research centre that will help academics and health professionals tackle global health challenges has opened at Essex.

The Centre for Global Health and Intersectional Equity Research will ensure policy makers and health professionals have access to the latest research, tools, methods and data that can help protect the world’s most vulnerable people.

Led by Professor Anuj Kapilashrami, of Essex’s School of Health and Social Care, the Centre will build a global health community of researchers and practitioners.

The Centre’s team will monitor global health indicators to build an observatory that maps the health status of vulnerable population groups, providing vital evidence for researchers and policymakers.

Working with UN agencies, national governments and think tanks, the team will also provide technical and research support to organisations and initiatives tackling health inequalities.

Professor Kapilashrami said: “Global health is confronted with multiple crises and challenges, not least the growing health gap between the most and least disadvantaged. Reducing this gap is a global challenge that will need integrated, value-based and evidence-informed innovative solutions that can be developed, applied, scaled and translated across diverse economic, social and political contexts.

“To succeed, we need an interdisciplinary approach and partnerships that bring together experts from social and environment science, health, psychology, through to history, human rights, law and the arts, in dialogue with communities and planners.

“Essex is uniquely-placed to address this challenge. With a growing global health education programme and academic team, our established Human Rights Centre, international reputation for excellence in social sciences and data collection and analysis, and our Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing, we have the expertise and tools at our disposal to help ensure good health for all.”

Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare, Director of Essex’s Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, added: “Growing uncertainties about future pandemics, the resurgence of eliminated diseases, and other health issues, such as mental health, reaching epidemic proportions, make this Centre more important than ever.

“Without the right evidence and global partnerships, we cannot enhance conditions to achieve the highest standards of health and wellbeing for all. The new Centre is well-placed to generate world-leading research and support to a variety of national and international stakeholders in their fight against health inequities. I am looking forward to working with Anuj to enhance the impact of our research globally.”

Sharing wider enthusiasm across the University, Professor Winifred Eboh, Director of the School of Health and Social Care, emphasised the new Centre’s role in helping advance the School’s commitment to research-led teaching and learning in global health, creating new opportunities and opening new doors for students facilitating their journey to become future global health leaders.