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Project

RESPIRA: towards transdisciplinary research on CRDs in Sub-Saharan Africa

Our Respira consortium, composed of medical specialists, engineers, and social scientists, provides an excellent platform to formulate solutions for CRD, chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, which increase exponentially in Sub-Saharan Africa, making it one of Africa’s most lethal, yet invisible assassins. We want to improve the quality of life of (future) asthma and COPD patients in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to healthier futures. During the 12 months of the VVT, the applicant will prepare three research proposals for interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and actions. This trajectory will contribute to the IOF parameter of obtaining funding in the Horizon Europe framework programme of the European Union, and other institutions such as Gates Foundation, Clean Air Fund, and Wellcome Trust. The applications will be prepared in close collaboration with Africa-based colleagues, especially those living in Nakuru (Kenya) and Lubumbashi (DR Congo). These two cities receive RESPIRA priority in this first phase. On the longer term, we aim to expand the focus towards Morocco and Ethiopia.
Date:1 Oct 2022 →  30 Sep 2023
Keywords:citizen science, air pollution, social sciences, action-research, architecture and health, lung diseases
Disciplines:Respiratory medicine, Sustainable building, Medical anthropology, Environmental engineering design, Sociology of health, Human-centred design, Microwaves, millimetre waves and THz components and circuits and systems