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The Volkswagen Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, and Wellcome Trust have launched the Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health funding initiative, exploring how mobility trends impact health systems.
Five international research projects have received a total of €7.1 million to tackle urgent global health challenges such as shortages of skilled medical workers, drug resistance, and building resilient, equitable healthcare systems amid global migration.
The projects were selected for their scientific innovation, social relevance, and robust international partnerships, involving local communities, NGOs, and government authorities across countries with diverse income levels.
“Global health is inextricably linked to issues of mobility – from refugees and labor migration to cross-border disease risks. This complexity can only be addressed collaboratively: across disciplinary boundaries, in international dialogue, and together with local stakeholders,” explained Dr. Nora Kottmann of the Volkswagen Foundation.
The funded projects are:
Hitch-hiking East Africa: Spread of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria through Mosquito and Human Mobility
This project focuses on four neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes region of East Africa.
Malaria parasites are increasingly resistant to artemisinin, and the resistance could spread via infected mosquitoes on buses and through infected travellers.
An interdisciplinary team collects data, develops models, and works closely with local health authorities and NGOs to implement an early warning system.
By identifying hotspots and testing targeted interventions, the project aims to prevent the further spread of resistant malaria strains and protect vulnerable communities across the region.
Global Health Diasporas: How Mobile Health Professionals Abroad Improve Health of Minority Groups in Colombia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka
Many countries in the Global South face healthcare worker shortages as professionals migrate abroad.
This project examines how health professionals living overseas can contribute to communities in Colombia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka.
Researchers focus on return migration, knowledge transfer, and investment in local health systems.
By working with professional associations, local hospitals, and community groups, the team explores ways to strengthen health services, improve minority health outcomes, and develop models for sustainable engagement of diaspora professionals.
Nexus4Her: Addressing the Nexus – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Mental Health of Young Refugee and Migrant Women in Ecuador and Uganda
Young refugees and migrants often face high risks in sexual and reproductive health and limited access to services, while also experiencing mental health challenges.
Targeting Ecuador and Uganda, the project develops trauma-sensitive, holistic strategies.
An interdisciplinary team of gynaecologists, psychologists, sociologists, gender specialists, and digital health experts works directly with communities to improve literacy, raise awareness among providers, and facilitate access to tailored services.
The project aims to create scalable best practices that could inform regional refugee health policies.
Understanding the Education and Labour Market Consequences of Indonesia’s Quest to Become the World’s Leading Nurse Exporting Nation
Indonesia is expanding the migration of its nursing workforce to meet rising global demand.
Researchers study how this policy affects domestic healthcare systems, nursing education, and labour market entry.
Engaging with training institutions, professional associations, and nursing graduates across Indonesia, the project collects data on policy implementation and training quality.
Insights aim to inform both national strategies and broader discussions on the global migration of healthcare workers, balancing international demand with domestic health needs.
Mapping Migration and Antimicrobial Resistance: Tracking the Global Spread of Drug-Resistant Pathogens
This project has a global scope, examining how human migration, trade, and travel contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers combine epidemiology, genomics, and mobility data to identify high-risk transmission routes.
Collaborating with healthcare providers, laboratories, and international organizations, the project seeks practical interventions that are culturally sensitive and scalable, helping prevent outbreaks of drug-resistant infections across borders.
Together, these projects demonstrate the intricate ways in which the mobility of people, diseases, and knowledge intersects with health systems worldwide.
By linking interdisciplinary research with local engagement, the initiative aims to strengthen healthcare systems, improve health outcomes, and provide sustainable, evidence-based solutions to pressing global health challenges.
