Several GDAR researchers have contributed to a new book on Urban Health in Africa, published by Johns Hopkins University Press.
Editors Elaine O. Nsoesie and Blessing U. Mberu bring together a diverse group of scholars to explore the critical impacts of rapid urbanisation on the health and prosperity of Africans. Through compelling case studies, contributors highlight the unique challenges and innovative solutions in Africa’s urban health.
Here is a taste of GDAR contributing chapters.
13. Urban Environments and Healthy Behaviors: Preventing the Epidemic of Chronic Diseases in African Cities
Meelan Thondoo, Feyisayo A. Wayas, and Tolu Oni
This chapter highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between urban environments and health behaviors, especially diet and physical activity, as a pathway to alleviating the prevalence of chronic diseases in cities across African countries. It does this through the lens of Africa cities’ social, food and built environments and the syndemic relations of chronic diseases, urbanization, and climate change. It further provides recommendations for policy actors, implementers, and researchers to prevent the epidemic of chronic diseases in Africa cities.
19. Educating the Next Generation of Urban Health Scholars
Damilola Odekunle, Feyisayo A. Wayas, Lambed Tatah, Meelan Thondoo, and Elaine O. Nsoesie
This chapter underscores the importance of having seasoned and skilled health scholars in Africa for the present and future and highlights the gap of urban health training in Africa. It showcases this by discussing the need of bridging the gaps of gender and equity, mentoring, urban health scholars influencing policies and the need to focus on early career researchers’ training through a case study. It further provides recommendations for opportunities for urban health education for researchers in Africa.
14. Case Study of Participatory Data-Driven Approaches to Improve Urban Air Quality in Kampala, Uganda
Deo Okure, Engineer Bainomugisha, Daniel Ogenrwot, Richard Sserunjogi, Priscah Adrine, and Gabriel Okello
This chapter looks at how Kampala, a rapidly growing city in Africa, is improving its air quality through community involvement and collaboration. It highlights the health benefits of cleaner air and shows how different groups, like universities, civil society, businesses, and policymakers, are working together using data to make a difference. This approach could be used in many more African cities facing similar challenges.
The AirQo model is a key part of this effort. It uses reliable air quality data, digital platforms, and teamwork among various stakeholders to promote policies that involve the community. These digital platforms, such as mobile apps and websites, help make air quality information accessible to everyone, from government officials to the general public. The chapter also stresses the importance of ongoing education and awareness to encourage public participation and support for air quality policies. It showcases community campaigns, especially in areas like transportation, to address specific pollution sources.
The chapter advocates for a data-driven approach to managing air quality in African cities, leveraging advanced technology to collect detailed data, guide policy decisions, and calls for further research on the health and economic impacts of air pollution to effectively address these issues.