East Africa is experiencing accelerating climate impacts including prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall, increased temperatures, and extreme weather events. These environmental changes profoundly affect human health through multiple pathways including food insecurity, water scarcity, displacement, infectious disease patterns, and mental health impacts. Our organization has established a climate and health research program that examines these complex relationships and identifies intervention points. We are conducting research on climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria and dengue, nutrition and food security under changing agricultural conditions, water quality and waterborne diseases, heat stress and occupational health, climate migration and health, and climate anxiety and psychological wellbeing. Our interdisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, environmental scientists, social scientists, health systems researchers, and community engagement specialists. We employ mixed methods combining quantitative health surveillance with qualitative understanding of community adaptation strategies. We are seeking partnerships with climate research institutes, global health organizations, environmental NGOs, and funders prioritizing climate-health nexus. Our unique value proposition includes long-term community relationships in climate-vulnerable areas, established health surveillance systems, connections with agricultural and meteorological agencies, and policy engagement at county and national levels. Collaborative opportunities include joint research projects, capacity building in climate-health research methods, policy briefs and advocacy, and development of climate-resilient health interventions.
Citations:
Lancet Commission. (2025). Health and climate change [Editorial]. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01186-9
Zhang, C., & Liu, L. (2025). US disruptions to science could transform global research landscape. Nature, 639, 577. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00824-7
