Harvard Club of Washington, DC

The Changing Face of African Health - The Coming Tsunami of 'Modern' Diseases

This event is sponsored by the Harvard Club of Washington, DC and the Harvard School of Public Health

The Harvard Club of Washington, DC and Harvard School of Public Health present:

DR. HANS - OLOV ADAMI, DR. MICHELLE D. HOLMES, AND DR. TODD G. REID: "THE CHANGING FACE OF AFRICAN HEALTH - THE COMING TSUNAMI OF 'MODERN' DISEASES"

A chronic disease tsunami is coming to Africa. Aid to Africa has traditionally focused on infections such as malaria, TB, and HIV. But such efforts will soon be overshadowed by the swirling sea of emerging modern diseases similar to those seen in high-income countries, such as heart disease, mental illness, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

The Africa/Harvard School of Public Health Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT) will discuss their plans to help spur a renaissance of innovation on the continent through research, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. Scientists and researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and those in Africa are collaborating to conduct groundbreaking research and thwart the epidemiologic transition from infectious diseases to chronic ailments.

By 2030, according to the World Health Organization, three of the top four causes of death in low-income countries will be heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung disease. PaCT researchers are asking hundreds of thousands of people in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa about what they eat, how much they exercise and smoke, and their family and reproductive histories, correlating their answers with information from biological samples. The United States and Western Europe have benefited from similar studies for decades. However, Africa, home to nearly one billion people, has no similar large epidemiologic studies that look at chronic diseases.

Drs. Adami, Holmes, and Reid will also discuss their innovative use of technology. For example, with cell phones--widely used across all of Africa--they can retrieve data and conduct follow-up surveys with participants. They plan to develop a comprehensive biobank to enable cutting edge molecular studies. The large number of participants will allow the study of gene and environment interactions. Finally, PaCT will provide a fertile training ground in innovative research and create viable career paths for African scientists and entrepreneurs, fostering additional collaboration among countries in Africa, Europe, and North America, and providing new business models and opportunities for the conduct of large scale global health projects.

Price per person:

$15 for Harvard Club Members; $30 for Non-members

The price includes a reception with wine, beer, soft drinks, and light appetizers followed by the presentation. 

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