1035- Uganda- Understanding environmental exposures in urban and rural settings of Uganda

Exposure to airborne particulate matter is associated with poor health including an increased risk of COPD, acute respiratory infections, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Globally, approximately 29% of lung cancer deaths, 43% of COPD deaths, 25% of CVD deaths and 24% of stroke deaths were caused by the joint effects of ambient and household air pollution in 2016. Ambient air pollution is an environmental health problem that affects people worldwide, but LMICs disproportionately experience this burden. Approximately 94% of the deaths due to air pollution occur in LMICs, and according to the WHO’s urban air quality database, 98% of cities in LMICs with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. As ambient air pollution continues to rise in urban centers due to conurbanization (the process whereby metropolitan areas grow outward and merge with other urban areas), reliable exposure metrics are essential to establish associations between air pollutants and health effects, determine mitigation strategies and drive policy action.

In this project, we seek to understand the role of environmental exposures (pollution and allergenic) that may affect the respiratory health of urban and rural dwellers in Uganda. This study will leverage the VICINITY cohort, currently collecting ambient concentrations and personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and health outcomes (respiratory symptoms, spirometry andblood pressure).

Student participating in this project will work with our field team to collect exposure and health data in rural and urban environments. They will provide oversight in exposure and health outcome data collection methods (we will conduct in-house training prior to the student's departure).

Collegial and collaborative. Students will work closely with field team/Ugandan investigators.

Is interested in environmental health, respiratory diseases and field epidemiology.

Name: William Checkley, Department of Medicine, wcheckl1@jhmi.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

One-on-one mentoring, teaches skills and how to work in LMIC settings

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

Flexible, able to adapt to challenges in LMICs

$600 month for room and board. There are no costs of local transportation as housing is walking distance from lodging.

There is potential subsidy available for housing based on travel costs.