G L O B A L   I N I T I A T I V E

Urban Health & Migration

By 2030, it is estimated that 60% of the world’s population will live in cities and urban areas. Rapidly expanding urban populations have led to overcrowded living conditions, poor infrastructure, and limited access to resources. Persistent exposure to infections transmitted through water and sanitation pathways can lead to poor nutrition, compromised immune systems and a lifetime of physical and cognitive impairment. Failure to address the consequences of urbanization will perpetuate death, disability, and poor quality of life, and collaboration among researchers, implementers, advocates, community members, and policy makers has become urgent to take the necessary action to reverse this trend.

Urban Health & Migration Activities

COVID-19 and Big Cities

How do large urban areas exacerbate or mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on migrant communities? We are currently conducting a systematic review that looks at cities on a global scale to explore how policies in the future can further support migrants during emergency situations and public health crises similar to COVID-19. 

Implementation Science Collaboration for Urban Health in East Africa

The Implementation Science Collaboration on Urban Health in East Africa was born out of the initial roundtable consultation hosted by the East, Central and Southern African Health Community. The Center for Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health (CIRGH) served as a Global Technical Anchor, providing technical and managerial support for the effort.