1. National Workshop on Planning for the GEOHealth Hub for Interdisciplinary Research and Training project overview and progress
Kiros Berhane, PhD, Professor
Department of Preventive Medicine
University of Southern California

2. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Outline
Project Overview
Motivation for the GEOHealth Hub
Specific Aims
The Investigative Team
Institutional Partners & Stakeholders
Progress
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

3. Motivation: Why a GEOHealth Hub?
East African Region already facing multiple challenges
Malnutrition,
Poverty
Infectious diseases
Threat of NCDs emerging
Burden of disease from environmental and occupational hazards is a growing concern
Health consequences of climate change are emerging issues at the global scale
Lack of data and limited human capacity in key areas
A need for a comprehensive systematic review and strategic action
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

4. Geographic Focus & Institutional Setup
AAU SPH
- HOARECN
- IDS
FMOH
EEPA
MOLSA
PAN-Ethiopia ….
AAU +
USC
Makerere SPH
via HOARECN
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

5. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Specific Aims
Aim 1:
To conduct a survey to identify current research, educational, policy and regulatory activities (Governmental, academic, NGO)
to identify gaps in these activities
to evaluate needs for strengthening capacity
Aim 2:
To analyze findings of inventory and conduct planning workshops
To develop innovative & cost-effective solutions to identified training, research and policy needs
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

6. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Specific Aims
Aim 3:
To develop a strategic research plan for the full hub proposal
To address critical evidence gaps for mitigation of environmental and occupational health problems
Focus on priority areas of national and regional stakeholders
Aim 4:
To establish a capacity building framework for the full hub proposal for
curriculum development and enhancement of training programs
focus areas of environmental /occupational health in the region.
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

7. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Specific Aims
Aim 5:
Create a framework for translating research findings into preventive action
Focus on medical, public health, and regulatory sectors
Partnership with working appropriate organizations in the region
Aim 6:
Provide an immersion experience in environmental health research and training for AAU principal scientists
focus on curriculum development and training for the hub
Via workshops in Ethiopia and visits AAU  USC
Aim 7:
Create regional networking platforms to develop regional buy-in for the full GEOHealth hub
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

8. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Progress: Mechanism
Weekly teleconferences on key and relevant issues
Reciprocal visits between AAU and USC
Dedicated teams organized by focus themes
Lively exchanges of documents and instruments between teams
Active engagement by major stakeholders
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

9. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Progress: Inception
Inception meeting at AAU (Dec., 2012)
To launch project
To reach consensus on themes
for SANA - Ethiopia
To formulate SANA instruments
To meet and brief high level
government officials
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

10. Progress: SANA for Ethiopia
What is SANA?
A systematic process for conducting analysis of the prevailing situation and assessment of needs and priorities
Situational Analysis (SA)
Critical review of published/grey literature
Assessment of current situation on research, policy and physical/human capacity
Needs Assessment (NA)
Identification/prioritization of critical gaps in the scientific evidence based on the SA
Prioritization of training and policy needs based on national agenda
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

11. Progress: SANA for Ethiopia
Process organized around four themes: Policy and three focus areas
Air pollution and health
Occupational health and safety
Climate change and health
Technical teams organized by theme (both lead investigators and research assistants)
Survey Instruments developed for formal interviews
A computerized database system developed (a modified version of HELDS) for compiling information
Process facilitated through weekly calls, active editing process, and retreats
First draft completed in preparation for the national workshop
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

12. Progress: Maturing Partnerships
Visit by AAU delegation to USC in April, 2013
Scientific exchanges: seminars
Capacity building: AQMD, USC-Spatial Sciences, etc.
Efforts to expand the environmental health portfolio
Clean cookstoves and child/maternal health
Exposure assessment capacity building
Preparations for Year 2: beyond Ethiopia
More African and US partnerships for the full hub
Possible consolidation: e.g., UGANDA planning grant
Possible US partners: e.g., University of Wisconsin
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

13. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Next Steps
National workshop in Addis Ababa (July, 2013) to finalize plans for full hub
Finalizing the SANA document based on feedback from the national workshop
Expansion to other three countries in Year 2
RFA for full hub expected in Fall, 2014
Submission of full hub application in Spring 2015
Focus will be on training (curriculum development) and research output
Hopefully the beginning of a sustained collaboration…
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop

14. GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop
Thank You
GEOHealtb Hub National Workshop