Youth unemployment is rife in lower-and middle-income countries (LiMiCs) such as South Africa and others – particularly on the African continent. This social ill is compounded by challenges brought about by mental health conditions such as depression.

In a concerted effort to address these prevalent social, psychological and environmental challenges, the Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) study was born. The first project kick-off meeting was hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP) and occurred from 8-11 April 2024 at the Mongena Lodge, Dinokeng. Project collaborators – which included multiple institutions in South Africa and Nigeria, as well as SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) and REPSSI (an NGO) – spent time planning for the project; in understanding project aims and objectives, assigning tasks, deciding on deliverables, as well as discussing milestones. The teamwork demonstrated during this planning session was of particular significance to Professor Caradee Wright.

Through the work of Professor Wright and her team, the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) E&HRU will be involved with the project for the next five years.

The SAMRC E&HRU is one of the collaborators with University of Cape Town (UCT) on the Heat Adaptation Benefits for Vulnerable Groups in Africa (HABVIA) project funded by the Wellcome Trust.

HABVIA aims to address evidence gaps by gathering high-quality cohort data on physiological and mental health, alongside climate, environmental, and socio-economic information, in four heat-vulnerable study sites in South Africa and Ghana. The four study sites are in Ga Mashe in Accra, Ghana; Nkwantakese in Kumasi, Ghana; Site B in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa and Mphego Village in Thohoyandou, South Africa. HABVIA will also build local community awareness raising and capacity for heat adaptation.

Dr Thandi Kapwata from the SAMRC’s E&HRU leads the site in Thohoyandou in the Limpopo Province. Research activities commenced in April 2023 and will continue until March 2027. During the first phase of the study, the E&HRU field staff visited households to invite the community members to participate in the study. Once recruitment was completed, a health survey was conducted and health measurements as well as environmental data were collected.

Some of the HABVIA team members at the launch of the project at UCT

HABVIA field team in Mpegho, Thohoyandou

Dr Renée Street attended the launch of the Global Consortium for Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Public Health. This initiative aims to establish an international system for early detection, prevention, and real-time monitoring of epidemic threats and outbreaks. The inaugural event, held on 19 and 20 March in Brussels, gathered over 300 key collaborators, including organizations such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Both in-person and virtual attendance were features of the event, bringing together diverse representatives from health ministries, NGOs, industry, research institutions and public health bodies. Discussions covered aspects of the consortium, including sampling procedures, testing protocols, data management, capacity building and research and innovation. GLOWACON is well positioned to identify and align funding opportunities for global health surveillance efforts.

The Clean Air Fund Board and Grants and Charitable Activities Committee Annual Meeting took place from 11-13 March 2024 in London, UK hosted by the Clean Air Fund. Presentations on the Fund’s progress was the order of the event – which doubled up as a workshop. Board members were also given an opportunity to share feedback based on the progress reporting session.

Professor Caradee Wright participated in various sessions for brainstorming funding opportunities in air pollution and health, who is hopeful in securing funding from the Clean Air Fund – furthering research on air pollution.

In the UK, air pollution has been recorded as a cause of death – therefore, Ms Rosamund Debra-Kissi was invited as a guest speaker at the event, relating what had befallen her daughter. Read more on her story here.

The training workshop on air pollution exposure monitoring and respiratory health was attended by Professor Caradee Wright in Nairobi, Kenya – from 6-9 March 2024 and hosted by the Eastern Africa GEOHealth Hub. This workshop was held to share progress made by the Hub on research relating to air pollution and respiratory health.

Professor Wright presented on the research conducted over nearly a decade – at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Climate Change and Health Programme – housed within the Environment & Health Research (E&HRU). Postgraduate student engagement made an impression on Professor Caradee Wright, who is hopeful of tapping into the young minds of researchers interested in joining within her team.

Read here for further information on the work done by the GEOHealth Hub.

Dr Tracey Laban represented the SAMRC’s E&HRU at the community feedback sessions in Agincourt (Bushbuckridge) and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (Soweto) from 28 February to 5 March 2024 for the LEAP-Epi project.

The aim was to create awareness on health impacts of household air pollution and to share the project findings with the study participants and community advisory board members. Dr Laban gave a presentation on air pollution and its health effects and participated in the question-and-answer sessions regarding levels of air pollution and exposure in homes – engaging with individual community members on their issues of concern. There is no accurate knowledge of exposure to ambient and household air pollution for large numbers of people in urban and rural South Africa. Therefore, this project is quite significant (which is in partnership with University of Leicester, Wits University, North-West University) – as it provides an opportunity to gather much-needed exposure data from low-cost samplers and surveys – that can be linked with health outcomes to improve burden of disease estimates for household air pollution in South Africa. Such data will also have applicability more broadly to sub-Saharan Africa and other low- or middle-income countries – contributing to ongoing research and publications. The project is expected to be finalised at the end of March 2024.

Presentation at Adonai Church, Agincourt

Presentation at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto

Explaining the different types of particulate matter and sources of air pollution

The Environmental & Health Research (E&HRU) team visited the Usinga SAPRIN Node in Durban, on 27th February 2024. The purpose of this event was to learn about the Usinga project's initiatives in the uMlazi community, to showcase SAPRIN's work and explore potential collaboration opportunities, particularly in conducting wastewater surveillance studies in the same area.

During the event, the SAPRIN team provided insights into their ongoing work in uMlazi. Following this, the EHRU team joined the fieldwork in uMlazi. This provided an opportunity to meet other team members and observe the condition of the uMlazi River, including nearby activities. This also allowed the EHRU team to identify potential threats to the uMlazi River; although the river may not be used for drinking, it is utilized by children for swimming and domestic purposes like laundry.

The importance of community engagement was emphasized throughout the visit, with the Usinga project employing over 60 community members in various roles. This not only builds trust but also demonstrates the community's involvement and support for the project. Witnessing this trust firsthand during interactions with community members further underscored the significance of community engagement in research initiatives.

Professor Caradee Wright (Chief Specialist Scientist), Dr Thandi Kapwata (Specialist Scientist) and Ms Candice Webster (Scientist) of the Climate Change and Health Research Programme: E&HRU, attended a retreat for the “State of data science in Africa” writing project which took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 26 February to 1 March 2024. This project is supported by the NIH, APHRC and several partner organizations and its aim is to produce a collection of scientific papers describing the state of data science for health in Africa – to be published in the Nature portfolio of journals. The E&HRU team leads two review articles focusing on the application of data science in investigating climate change and air pollution related health challenges in Africa.

During the retreat, teams were provided dedicated writing time, opportunities to engage with other teams on overlapping topics and an opportunity to map the way forward to final submission. The E&HRU team is grateful for the opportunity to engage with the other writing teams and the project’s scientific co-chairs and believes its contribution to the collection will provide valuable insight into the importance of data science in environment and health research in Africa.

The Environment and Health Research Unit (E&HRU) visited the abandoned wastewater treatment works (WWTW) plant on 9 February in Franschhoek, hosted by the UCT Future Water team – led by Dr Kevin Winter – who showcased the application of nature-based solutions (NbS) in rehabilitating Stiebeuelrivier. By using biofilters (with vegetation, stones, and biochar) to clean and treat water from contaminated surface water runoff originating from an informal settlement (Langrug) upstream, the researchers demonstrated a tangible approach to environmental remediation.

One highlight was the demonstration of the biofiltration systems used in treating the contaminated water. Comparing treated and untreated water for crop irrigation provided a practical illustration of the efficacy of biofiltration systems. inspiring the broader community about the potential of nature-based solutions in water management and environmental conservation.   Overall, the event served as a platform for showcasing innovative research, fostering future collaboration and camaraderie.

Other projects like the 'Cool' Shack project added further dimensions to the event, showing a holistic approach to addressing environmental and social challenges in informal settlements and raising awareness about the importance of nature-based solutions in environmental remediation and sustainable water management.

The Environment and Health Research Unit (E&HRU) team recently convened a pivotal strategic planning meeting from 5-8 February 2024, in Noordhoek Cape Town. Each day was planned to provide a blend of introspective reflection and strategic foresight, ensuring each E&HRU team member could contribute to and benefit from the discussions at hand. With a clear strategic plan in place, the E&HRU is equipped to advance their research agenda, aiming to make significant contributions to the field of environmental health. The team left Noordhoek with a collection optimism, ready to embark on a year of meaningful research, impactful collaborations and continued personal and professional growth.

E&HRU chief specialist scientist Professor Caradee Wright attended a kick-off meeting for the PLANET4HEALTH project in Venice Italy between 25-26 January – facilitated by Ca’ Foscari University.

The project is funded by a Horizon Europe grant – enabling all teams to meet and present case studies and work packages, for the next four years – as PLANET4HEALTH seeks to make planetary health research understandable to the public and policymakers using the applications and platforms. With such a large but cohesive cohort, Professor Wright is confident that South Africa’s case study on air pollution and health can be used to develop a new tool for its citizens.

In a dynamic session at the recent South African Science Forum (4-6 December 2023), Dr Renée Street shared insights into the transformative role of wastewater-based epidemiology in supporting public health. Dr Street highlighted the need for further exploration and investment into this promising field, particularly as a key component to bolster pandemic preparedness. The session, moderated by Dr Bernd Gawlik of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), brought together global leaders. The collaborative efforts showcased in this session underscore the importance of a global alliance in advancing public health and environmental monitoring.

Between 4 and 8 December, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre (CSIR) hosted the South Africa Science Forum – in Pretoria – together with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa Initiative.

The event showcased what role science, technology and innovation play in society –in partnership with government and other stakeholders which include: the scientific community, industry, students, and civil society.

Mr Sizwe Nkambule ran an exhibition stand showcasing how wastewater-based epidemiology relates to science – also emphasizing technology and innovation programmes set out in the Decadal Plan: including the ‘Innovation for a healthy population’ – which focuses on pandemics. There was also an activity capturing delegates’ responses around water-related issues.

The Environment &Health Research Unit’s (E&HRU) Wastewater Surveillance and Research Programme exhibition demonstrated wastewater-based epidemiology’s potential as a health screening tool in effectively communicating results to public health stakeholders and the public. Stakeholders from various government, private sector, scientific and higher education institutions expressed interest in using wastewater-based epidemiology to align with their work. Throughout the Science Forum, many high school students were noted, indicating an interest in science and innovation among the country’s youth population.

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted the BRICS Academies Forum 2023, in Pretoria on 1-2 December – as part of an Inter-Academy Collaboration on the Global Polycrisis. This conference aimed to bring all BRICS countries’ academies together to present their perspectives and understanding of the polycrisis (in relation to the pandemic and economic challenges). The conference was also a platform for the represented BRICS academies to offer solutions to the polycrisis, as well as initiate collaboration in combatting the polycrisis – enforcing the sense of collegiality among the BRICS academies. As part of the ASSAf delegation, Professor Caradee Wright gave a presentation on the impacts of the polycrisis on human health in BRICS countries.

The North-West University hosted a workshop on: The Changing Landscape of occupational hygiene: Challenges and opportunities presented by real time exposure data, on 29-30 November 2023.

Along with other practitioners, Dr Busisiwe Shezi attended a workshop and toured the Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI) on campus – in Potchefstroom. Equipment measuring environmental and occupational exposure – including ergonomic, noise, ventilation and air pollution assessments were displayed. Current trends in occupational hygiene were also highlighted – emphasizing the use of real-time exposure data.

Dr Shezi gained insights into advanced data collection techniques; applicable for environmental and occupational exposure assessments – beneficial for future projects. Challenges with real-time data were addressed – facilitating networking between those in the field of environmental and occupational health.

Dr Thandi Kapwata visited the Application Laboratory in JAMSTEC in Yokohama, Japan, from 27 November to 2 December 2023, as a part of an ongoing JSPS-NRF bilateral project. During this meeting, Dr Kapwata presented at the APL-CMCC Workshop on “Empowering Human Wellbeing through Advances in Climate Analysis and Prediction” held on 29-30 November 2023. Lessons learned during interactions with colleagues at this time will also be utilised to inform existing work dealing with climate related research with the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Environment and Health Research Unit (E&HRU). It is also hoped that further collaborations will result with stakeholders involved in this project.

On 9 November 2023, The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted its member conference at the Lord Charles Hotel in Cape Town. The conference centred around the topic of ‘Mitigating the polycrisis – An ASSAf approach.’  Participants at the conference discussed ways in which polycrises such as the pandemic and economic downturns affecting South Africa can be addressed.

During the conference, there were various activities such as group discussions. Professor Caradee Wright, who was in attendance, chaired one such discussion on mitigating the causes and consequences of the polycrisis in South Africa and presented the group’s discussion to the plenary.

Dr Renée Street was invited as a guest speaker to attend the Global Convening to Scale Wastewater Surveillance, which took place in Hong Kong on 25-26 October 2023. The technical convening, organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trust – with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, focused on sharing scientific experiences related to wastewater-based epidemiology. Dr Street joined leading scientists in environmental microbiology, epidemiology and engineering from around the world, to discuss the surveillance and monitoring of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in wastewater. The event included keynote presentations, plenary discussions, and roundtable sessions (covering topics such as initiation, coordination and implementation of wastewater surveillance, mapping and sampling, leveraging surveillance data for big data analytics, and laboratory methods from qPCR and meta-genomics). Dr Renée Street’s participation contributed a critical perspective to the global conversation on wastewater surveillance. Moreover, the global convening emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing global health though wastewater surveillance.

As an Advisory Committee member of the One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA) (https://www.ilri.org/research/facilities/one-health-centre-africa), Professor Caradee Wright attended the 2-day meeting on the 2nd and 3rd October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. OHRECA is hosted by the International Research Livestock Institute and aims to enhance animal, human and the environment health by supporting applied research in one health, developing capacity in one health and developing pathways from policy to practice. Having existed for three years, and with two years still to go, the Advisory Committee met to receive feedback on OHRECA from the Team Leaders and postgraduate students working on OHRECA work packages. As the SAMRC plans to develop research in the area of one health, this was an excellent opportunity for Professor Wright to garner knowledge on the issues facing Africa in one health and identify research gaps.

Around the world, there is growing concern about our changing environment. For example, climate change and rising temperatures contribute to the movement of zoonotic hosts and vectors to different elevations and latitudes, bringing unfamiliar exposures to vulnerable human and animal populations. At the same time, adverse weather events may compromise the fundamental pillars of public health, such as floods – leading to the overflow of wastewater treatment facilities and consequent waterborne disease outbreaks. There is also growing concern about the accumulation of persistent toxic substances in the environment and in the fatty tissues of animals, that lead to distribution of pollutants to humans through the food pathway, such as metals in fish, for example.

In recent decades, there has been a growing realization that addressing these complex environmental and health challenges requires a systematic approach. The One Health approach encompasses the interconnection of environmental, animal, and human health as key outcomes. It provides a holistic framework to engage with these challenges in an integrated way, ensuring the well-being of all living beings and our shared environment.

This year, in conjunction with World Environmental Health Day, the Environment & Health Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council, (SAMRC) in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), hosted a seminar. The event was organized to learn more about various activities and actions taking place in relation to Chemical Exposures, Air Pollution, Climate Change and One Health. It also aimed to develop a research agenda on One Health. The seminar brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from various government departments (such as  the Department of Health, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development), the City of Johannesburg, the Water Research Commission, the National Research Foundation, National Institute for Occupational Health, the South African Lead Task Team, several universities (the universities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch, the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe and the University of Antwerp in Belgium), as well as non-governmental organizations such as Birdlife South Africa and Four Paws.

This seminar provided a platform for exchanging information and sparked insightful discussions aimed at advancing the field of One Health in South Africa. Additionally, we identified key research areas of priority within the domain of One Health.

The seminar was made possible through sponsorship from the National Research Foundation and the South African Medical Research Council.

On 17 to 21 September 2023, Dr Busisiwe Shezi attended the 35th Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in Kaohsiung, Taiwan – being one of the recipients of the Wartenberg travel award. The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology hosted the event, and its theme was on, “Connecting the East and the West, One Health in One Planet.”

Dr Shezi presented a research paper on, “Indoor particulate matter heavy metals and their potential health risks in low socio-economic communities.” She also gained invaluable insights into cutting-edge methodologies and approaches for evaluating health outcomes and their determinants, noting that these innovative techniques not only broaden the horizons of her current research projects, but also provide a forward-looking perspective on approaching future studies. Furthermore, awardees discussed their areas of research and explored the potential for collaborative work. This interaction was significant as it allowed opportunities to connect with professionals with shared research interests, as well as facilitating networking within the field of One Health.

Dr Busisiwe Shezi participated in the Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA 2023) Conference in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Gqeberha, on 10 to 13 September 2023. The event was hosted by the Public Health Association of South Africa and had the theme of, “Transforming Research Translation-Reimagining Public Health Evidence, Policies and Practice.”

Dr Shezi presented a research paper on, “Indoor particulate matter heavy metals and their potential health risks in low socio-economic communities” and saw the conference as a platform for the exchange of research findings, methodologies, and best practices in the field of public health. This directly aligns with Dr Shezi’s current research interests and is invaluable. Additionally, Dr Busisiwe Shezi found the planetary session on, “strengthening health systems to deliver quality mental health care” particularly noteworthy.

Between 5 and 7 September 2023, Professor Caradee Wright attended the Inter Academy Partnership (IAP) and Save The Children’s workshop on Climate Change and Health in Trieste, Italy. Professor Wright was selected as one of 15 participants to present a case study on heat-health interventions. Her case study was focussed on interventions to prevent adverse heat-health impacts in healthcare settings in rural South Africa, aligning with the SAMRC’s efforts related to the National Health Action Plan.  The case studies of all participants will be compiled into a book published by IAP that presents science-based policy solutions for climate change and health challenges. This workshop was hosted by IAP at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics. Highlights of the workshop were the collegiality between the case study participants, a delicious Italian pizza in the town of Trieste, and helpful feedback from the reviewers for improvement of the case studies ahead of publication.

Dr Renée Street and Dr Busisiwe Shezi actively participated in a One Health Workshop from 4 – 7 September 2023 led by the National Department of Health. This workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration in the animal-human-environment interface and harmonize the South African One Health strategy with the global One Health Joint Plan of Action of the Quadripartite (FAO, UNEP, WHO, OIE). Given the profound interconnections between animal and ecosystem health, notably underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative signifies South Africa’s commitment to such a global endeavor. Therefore, South Africa is actively refining its national One Health Strategic Framework to align with the global strategy and policy. The initiative is fostering collaborations among stakeholders at national, regional and international levels.

Professor Caradee Wright, Dr Thandi Kapwata and Dr Tracey Laban attended the LEAP-Epi Outputs Workshop from 29 August to 1 September 2023 in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. LEAP-Epi is a four-year project (which will end in March 2024) on leveraging local air pollution data for epidemiological research. Air quality data was collected using low-cost sensors along with survey questionnaire data from households in two locations (Soweto – urban and Agincourt – rural) over two seasons. The aim of the workshop was to capture the learnings from the field, take a deep dive into the data, plan the journal articles to be written, develop the community feedback strategy and information materials and agree on future directions for the research. The consortium involved in the project are University of Leicester, Wits University, North-West University and SAMRC. It was a productive week of contributions by all project partners, made more enriching by the in-person interactions and capacity building sessions where introduction to R to process questionnaire data, tips to build academic writing skills and guest speaker presentations on epidemiological research formed part of the programme.

The City of Tshwane is concerned about air pollution in the city. Therefore, they hosted an Air Quality Workshop at Tshwane House on 28 August 2023. The theme was: "Climate Action Plan: A net-zero carbon and climate resilient city by 2050.” Professor Caradee Wright presented at the first session of the day in the session on Research Community, speaking about, “Air Pollution and Health in South Africa.” The presentation discussed the inequities associated with health pollution exposure and the associated burden of disease in South Africa. Professor Wright also spoke about air quality levels in the City of Tshwane and its association with hospital admissions for respiratory disease. The presentation received positive responses; connections made at the workshop will lead to future collaborations, as well as overall environmental changes within the municipality.

Dr Tracey Laban and Dr Nomfundo Mahlangeni attended the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Advisory Forum meeting on 24 August 2023, hosted by the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre, in Cape Town. The quarterly meetings aim to create a platform for muti-sectoral integration towards disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery. Various disaster management stakeholders in the Western Cape came together to discuss disaster management activities across the province as well as lessons learnt from previous disasters. More importantly, the need for improved early warning systems also formed part of the forum discussions. Added to this, the meeting highlighted the importance of addressing risk reduction and adaptation to reduce the vulnerabilities to disasters. Therefore, our team has subsequently reviewed the Western Cape Hazmat Response Plan, to ensure climate change is addressed in the plan. Suggestions have also been tabled for a response to floods and wildfires to be included in the plan.

Professor Caradee Wright and Dr Thandi Kapwata attended a meeting of the Climate Change and Environment Working Group meeting of the Lancet Commission on Future of Health and Economic Resiliency in Africa (FHERA). The meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 23 August 2023. It was a writing workshop. The writing workshop’s main objectives were to finalize several manuscripts that are being prepared by the working group. Additionally, draft chapters for a book that has been planned by FHERA Core Panel and to chart next steps for future activities of the working group were also part of the agenda of things needing further preparation.

The Environment and Health Research Unit (E&HRU) scientists went on an annual writing retreat from July 31  to August 4, 2023 – which was hosted at the Intundla Game Lodge, located on the outskirts of Pretoria. Its location added an extra layer of inspiration to the retreat, given the lodge’s picturesque surroundings which fostered a blend of productivity and tranquillity.

During the retreat, the team engaged in intensive writing sessions and harnessed the power of collective focus and expertise to advance their ongoing research endeavors. Sharing ideas, brainstorming and exploring potential avenues for collaborative projects were the order of the day.  The retreat also featured an educational session that enhanced the team’s skills and knowledge for crafting effective policy briefs – which is an essential aspect of scientific communication.  

During mealtimes, the group gathered together to discuss their progress, share challenges and celebrate accomplishments which solidified camaraderie beyond the academic sphere. Additionally, the group walk added an element of enjoyment to the retreat, where informal discussions touching on different topics ranging from personal experiences, shared interests and aspirations were had. The 2023 writing retreat was a success; scientists provided positive feedback overall. We are looking forward to the 2024 edition!

In July 2023, Dr Renée Street attended the Clim-Health Africa event which took place in Libreville, Gabon. The main objective of the 2023 Clim-Health Africa meeting was to build on the 2017 roundtable recommendations, as well as the work done by the consortium partners. Discussions around emergency prevention and management actors in Africa regarding more collaborative work in the region also formed part of the meeting. Dr Street actively provided insights on the capacity building needs for the multisectoral work necessary to properly consider the climate dimension in the resilience of health systems. The meeting also allowed partners to discuss emerging issues and how to make climate services and the Clim-Health Africa Network more responsive to both emerging policy agendas and user needs in Africa.

The recent presidential health summit has identified pandemic preparedness as one of the pillars of the presidential social health compact – which requires the implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR). IDSR is a strategy adopted by countries in the WHO African Region for implementing comprehensive public health surveillance and response systems for priority diseases, conditions and events at all levels of health systems. In July 2023, Dr Renée Street participated in an intensive 5-day workshop to adapt the 3rd edition of the IDSR to the South African context. Active contributions were made to the review of the current surveillance system and the development of a strategic framework to strengthen the national surveillance and response system. This will improve the detection of priority diseases and public health events on time, allowing prompt initiation of requisite investigations and responses to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.

IDSR workshop, July 2023 

The UN Summer Academy is a dynamic, connected and engaging critical global forum for advancing sustainable development. The one-week virtual learning experience, which took place in June 2023, provided a platform to foster inclusive exchanges to build skills and knowledge to address global challenges. Participants engaged in robust discussions and knowledge exchanges on ‘Governance for Sustainable Development.’ Its sub-themes included Multilevel Governance, Green and Just Transitions, and Governance for the Future; identified as critical focus areas of the governance lever for sustainable development. Dr Renée Street was grateful for the opportunity to obtain a scholarship to attend the virtual meeting.

The Journal of Health and Pollution (JHP) has been relaunched by Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and aims to to publish high-quality research, reviews, and commentaries that address environmental health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) or indigenous communities. Additionally, the original mission of JHP was to facilitate a discussion of toxic pollution and its impacts to human health. The journal will therefore continue this work in its new iteration, with “pollution” defined more broadly to include a wider range of environmental health topics of interest to scientists and policy makers. Professor Caradee Wright initially served on the advisory committee to help shape the scope of JHP and was then nominated and selected as one of six Deputy Editors for the journal – on 6 June 2023. Given Professor Wright’s extensive knowledge working on environmental health issues in Africa, especially regarding air pollution and climate change-related health impacts, she will greatly enhance the content of JHP. Moreover, with her vast experience serving as associate editor and editor in chief of various national and international journals, Professor Wright will ensure that the quality of articles published by JHP will be of the highest quality and contribute towards policy development as well as guide future research.

Dr Renée Street has been appointed as wastewater-based epidemiology Section Editor for the Journal of Water and Health. Given her extensive expertise in studying the presence of pathogens and chemicals in the environment, Dr Street’s appointment brings immense value to the journal. In her role as Section Editor, Dr Street will oversee the publication of cutting-edge research papers on wastewater-based epidemiology – ensuring the dissemination of high-quality and impactful studies. This appointment reflects the growing recognition of the significance of wastewater-based epidemiology, to monitor disease outbreaks and guide public health interventions. Dr Street’s leadership is poised to advance the journal’s role in shaping policy and practice related to water and health issues globally.

The Uganda National Academy of Science (UNAS) has invited Dr Renée Street to join a committee of experts dedicated to climate change, preparedness, response and action.  Climate change presents a unique opportunity for Uganda to reimagine how it responds to persistent development challenges. This study will use a climate change perspective to foster greater ownership and more sustainable community action enhancing national resilience and development.

The committee of experts will assess and analyze existing scientific evidence related to climate change, preparedness, response and action. The study aims to reach a collective agreement on the most crucial aspects of climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. The findings of the study can guide key stakeholders including policy makers and communities in formulating effective measures to address and respond to the challenges posed by climate change.

In celebration of Youth Month in June, the E&HRU (along with other research units and support divisions), participated in the Gen S Job-shadowing Programme. It was hosted by the Corporate and Marketing Communications department from 26 to 29 June 2023 – taking place at the SAMRC’s Cape Town campus in the Western Cape.

This Gen S Job-shadowing Programme offered a way to shape potential up-and-coming scientists’ minds, so that they are equipped for contributing meaningfully within the scientific community. The Programme also aimed to give the learners practical experience by involving them in day-to-day research work and support staff duties.

The E&HRU team demonstrated different technology and equipment used to test water quality. During fieldwork, the importance of rivers and estuaries for environmental and public health was highlighted. Work within the Wastewater Surveillance and Research Programme (WSARP) was also showcased. Learners developed and presented a knowledge mobilization plan to raise awareness on an environmental issue – within their own community; guided by the E&HRU team. They were also shown how to construct experiments and develop hypotheses for a water filtration experiment. The team was pleased that perceptions around scientific research and creating a safe and healthy environment were reshaped through this event.

The E&HRU made great strides regarding the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater, since the COVID-19 pandemic began – to curb its spread. Now, similar efforts are being made to fight against South Africa’s current cholera outbreak.

E&HRU representatives, Dr Renée Street and Mr Sizwe Nkambule, addressed stakeholders during a consultative meeting held in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality – at their Gqeberha offices in the Eastern Cape province. The Department of Public Health in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality hosted the event on 8 June 2023. Results and trends on wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 RNA were shared at the consultive meeting – for public health purposes. A Nelson Mandela University laboratory facilities tour then followed.

Mr Nkambule delivered a presentation focussing on the SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal in wastewater data, which aligned with different COVID-19 resurgences. The E&HRU also affirmed its strong commitment to increasing capacity to support the municipality’s pandemic preparedness. Dr Street further highlighted that collaborating with various departments within the municipality and determining how the wastewater surveillance platform is used for stakeholders’ needs, is essential. Discussions between the SAMRC, NMU and the municipality will continue regarding offering support to the municipality’s current cholera surveillance efforts.

Professor Caradee Wright, Dr Tracey Laban and Dr Nomfundo Mahlangeni participated in the sub-committee meeting of the National Department of Health (NDOH) focus group meeting on Health Air Quality and Health, which planned and developed a strategy in relation to air quality and health in South Africa – hosted at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)’s Pretoria campus on 2 June 2023.

The strategy’s 5-year plan was discussed. Identifying stakeholders, promoting the development strategy and gathering information useful to the state, professionals, practitioners and other researchers, also formed part of meeting discussions. Representatives from the NDOH – Elliot Nontso and Bono Nemukula; including Joyce Shirinde from the University of Pretoria (UP), worked with Professor Wright and her team in formulating a proposal detailing a strategy to combat issues on air pollution and health.

The SAMRC, in collaboration with the National Department of Health and other stakeholders, are uniting in the fight against air pollution and its negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of citizens. After the strategy’s development, the SAMRC will continue to assist government and facilitate its implementation. Additionally, the strategy will identify research gaps and opportunities which will help inform current research within the Environment and Health Research Unit (EHRU).

Dr Caradee Wright attended the annual Health Effects Institute (HEI) conference in Boston, in the United States of America – from 30 April 2023 to 2 May 2023. The conference was hosted by the Health Effects Institute and focused on discussing and sharing the latest research relating to air pollution. Various scholars, as well as students funded by the Health Effects Institute were present at the conference.

Caradee Wright gave a background talk called, ‘Different threats, same solutions’ which opened the main session. Afterwards, Caradee co-chaired a conference session on, ‘Addressing Air Pollution and Climate Change with Shared Solutions.’

Overall, Caradee was impressed by the presentations given at the conference and feels inspired to follow suit with her fellow researchers in air pollution and implement similar strategies on home soil in South Africa. Moreover, Caradee Wright plans to work closely with the Health Effects Institute, given that she is also a member of the Health Effects Institute Global Health Oversight Committee.

See the below links for more information:

• https://www.healtheffects.org/annual-conference
• https://www.healtheffects.org/about/global-health-oversight-committee

Dr Caradee Wright attended a workshop on air pollution and human health in East Africa, hosted by the Health Effects Institute, USA – from 29 March to 31 March. Stakeholders and organisations (at various levels), researching and monitoring air pollution in East Africa – particularly from Kenya and Uganda, were present at the event. Discussions around workable strategies regarding collaboration and increasing technical expertise on air pollution and health were had. Reviewing the status of current data and evidence on air quality and health risks relating to the topic alongside policies, formed the lively debates had at the workshop.  

Caradee was a member of the workshop organising committee; giving a keynote presentation, titled, Air Pollution and Human Health in Africa and a training lecture on the burden of disease studies about ambient air pollution and household air pollution in South Africa. She also chaired a group discussion on ideas for how HEI can help establish human health and air pollution research and activities in the region. Further, a funding call for research in the region will be disseminated and the SAMRC can apply.

Dr Caradee Wright and Dr Tracey Laban attended the bi-weekly meeting with Tshwane Taxi Industry (TTI) on 17 April – called Bi-weekly meeting with Tshwane Taxi Industry (TTI): Operation Inner-city Decongestion & Clean-up. The event was hosted by the Menlyn Taxi Association and the City of Tshwane, taking place at the Menlyn Taxi Association House, at Gezina. Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) was also part of the meeting with the Tshwane Taxi Industry to discuss easing traffic flow and cleaning up the inner city.

Caradee presented findings of the baseline work done for the NRF-funded Climate-proofing taxi ranks project and shared the results of the survey questionnaire given to commuters and taxi drivers in December 2022; also requesting feedback on these findings. Further, stakeholders had to advise on the proposed interventions and way forward for the project as it enters its second phase of implementation.

Given that this was a bi-weekly meeting, collaborations between the Environment and Health Research Unit (EHRU) and the Tshwane Taxi Industry (TTI) are ongoing. The EHRU is committed to implementing feedback received at the meeting, which will assist in furthering research and addressing the needs and concerns of the TTI.

Dr Tracey Laban attended a training session on domestic indoor air quality in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on 30 March. The session was hosted by the National Department of Health (NDOH). Environmental Health Practitioners from the Nkangala District Municipality were trained regarding implementing the Indoor Air Quality Guidelines developed by the NDOH in partnership with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to address air pollution and poor health. Tracey gave a presentation on domestic indoor air quality studies done by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). A keen interest was noted in low-cost sensors (being used in the field by the SAMRC) and a request was made for a demonstration of the instruments’ capabilities. Discussions on the baseline assessment for the Eskom air quality offsets project ensued and SAMRC was encouraged to continue with baseline studies and health monitoring in order to provide an independent assessment. The session was also attended by Groundwork, (an NGO), who emphasized that government and industry should ensure air quality improvement interventions that work and do not place an additional financial burden on vulnerable communities.

Professor Caradee Wright and Dr Thandi Kapwata attended a research conference on climate change in Pretoria, on 9 and 10 March 2023. The event was hosted by the City of Tshwane, in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) – at the Tshwane House Council Chamber.

Professor Wright chaired the session entitled, “Sustainable consumption and production”, and Dr Kapwata presented on her topic entitled, “An analysis of past and future heatwaves based on a heat-associated mortality threshold: towards a heat health warning system.”

The conference also offered valuable opportunities for networking with stakeholders and potential collaborators within the climate change sphere.

Dr Nomfundo Mahlangeni attended the SAMRC’s RCD Grant Holder’s Annual Meeting which took place on 8 and 9 March 2023 and was held at the SAMRC in Cape Town. She was awarded the SAMRC professional development programme fellowship as a postdoctoral research fellow on 1 October 2022. This was Nomfundo’s first Grant Holder’s meeting which was organized by the Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) of the SAMRC. The meeting afforded the chance for grant holders to showcase their research. Its theme was entitled, ‘Building research leadership for societal impact.’

Presentations were given by postdoctoral fellows, early-career, and mid-career scientists from various subdisciplines in health sciences.

The meeting facilitated networking, fostered collaborations, as well as the sharing of ideas and experiences between scientists from various career levels. Nomfundo enjoyed hearing about the work of her peers and shared her perspectives, particularly from an environmental health viewpoint.

Overall, great interactions were had between grant holders, SAMRC board members and SAMRC executive committee members.

Dr Nomfundo Mahlangeni and colleagues in the SAMRC Intramural Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme at the SAMRC’s RCD Grant Holder’s Annual Meeting.

Dr Renée Street visited the University of São Paulo (Brazil) from 6-10 March 2023. She presented at a research symposium, hosted by the university, and gave a keynote lecture on heavy metal exposure in South Africa and related health risks with particular emphasis on the informal industry. A highlight of the trip was a visit to Limeira City, to understand the risks for the outsourced, home-based jewellery makers.  Issues around evidence gaps relating to exposure to toxic metals in local settings were discussed, as well as ways to prevent such exposure. The trip highlighted the importance of research innovation, as well as academic excellence through collaboration, networking and public engagement.

Dr Caradee Wright participated in an online symposium on the impact of heat stress on the health outcomes of newborn babies, titled – ‘Adapting Health Systems to Protect Children from the Impact of Climate Change: A discussion series.’ It was held on 13 February 2023 and organised by UNICEF and the Child Health Taskforce. Caradee formed part of the symposium’s third session which discussed, ‘The Impact of Heat Stress on Newborn Health Outcomes: A Focus on Congenital Heart Defects.’ She gave a presentation and afterwards was part of a panel discussion for the Q&A session. Issues affecting pregnant people, infants, and children worldwide, were pertinent to the symposium’s discussion. Therefore, it is aligned with the Healthy Environments for Healthy Children framework, which indicates the environmental and climate risks affecting children worldwide and children’s rights to a healthy environment. Caradee also engaged in discussions with Child HeartLink and UNICEF about continuing their research through international collaboration. There is also the possibility of participating in two large international studies, which will inform local research directives within the SAMRC’s Environment and Health Research Unit. For Caradee, the symposium highlighted the importance of having surgeons and physicians on a research team when working on congenital anomalies.

Caradee Wright participated in the One Health Workshop hosted by the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the African Academy of Sciences in Nairobi, Kenya, from 31 January 2023 to 2 February 2023. The purpose of the workshop was to identify research objectives for One Health across multiple disciplines. Caradee gave a presentation entitled, ‘Understanding the roles of One Health, climate change and environmental health in the pandemic: lessons from COVID-19 in South Africa.’ She also chaired a group at the researcher capacity development workshop, where participants discussed the value of mentoring. This made Caradee aware of the latest pressing research questions in One Health, which could also be used to shape the One Health agenda at the SAMRC. Many potential collaborators were present at the event and plans are being made regarding future collaborations. What stood out for Caradee at the workshop was that Kenyan people are very friendly and hearing about mentoring challenges faced by researchers across Africa, made her realise that they all face similar issues. The SAMRC looks forward to conducting research in One Health.

Dr Thandi Kapwata and Dr Caradee Wright attended the Global Change Conference hosted by the University of Free State from 30 January 2023 to 2 February 2023. A keynote address was presented by Caradee and Thandi was a panellist at the Climate and Health session. This session was convened by Dr Neville Sweijd, from the Alliance for Collaboration on Climate & Earth Systems Science (ACCESS). The main aims of the 3-day side event were to facilitate a discussion among the research community on the establishment of a Research Alliance on Climate and Health and to set up a national extreme climate event working group.