The Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan (U-M) proudly announces that its global partner, the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Kenya, has received a prestigious grant from Wellcome Leap. This grant, awarded to the AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), will fund a novel research project focusing on the aging process of Kenyan adults aged 45 and above.
The Brain Resilience Kenya project will be led by BMI scientists Dr. Chi Udeh-Momoh and Dr. Karen Blackmon. The project aims to identify factors contributing to resilience and frailty in aging Kenyan adults. By utilizing wearable devices, Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs), blood biomarkers, and MRI brain morphometry, the research team intends to develop predictive models for stress-resilient aging. The project will track a cohort of 300 participants for a duration of twelve months, consolidating data from diverse sources such as Fitbit devices and a data gathering platform previously built for the Intern Health Study, a longitudinal survey of medical interns at institutions in the US and China.
The Brain Resilience Kenya study is notable for its use of wearable devices to collect critical health data, examining the social, psychological, and physical factors influencing aging in the African context. While similar research has been extensively conducted in wealthier nations like the U.S. and Europe, data on aging in African populations is notably scarce. This initiative aims to bridge this information gap, offering valuable insights into the aging process on the African continent.
“We are not just gathering data; we are uncovering the many factors that influence aging in a context that has been largely overlooked,”
said Zul Merali, primary investigator of the project and founding director of the Brain and Mind Institute at The Aga Khan University in Kenya. “This research is vital because it extends our understanding of aging beyond the boundaries of the developed world, offering insights that are crucial for the health and well-being of the aging population in Kenya and across Africa. Our work is a step towards ensuring that the unique needs and challenges faced by this demographic are recognized and addressed globally, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of health and aging."
The Wellcome Leap grant is a testament to the successful collaboration between the Aga Khan University and the Center for Global Health Equity under the UtiliZing health Information for Meaningful impact in East Africa through Data Science (UZIMA-DS) project. This project, a cornerstone initiative of both institutions, focuses on employing advanced data science methods, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve health outcomes in Africa.
"The partnership between our institutions and the support from NIH exemplifies how collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation in healthcare,” said CGHE member and U-M Professor Akbar Waljee— director of the collaboration between the Aga Khan University in Kenya and the University of Michigan. “As we embark on this crucial journey in Kenya, we're reminded that the path to transformative health advancements is paved with shared knowledge, resources, and a unified vision for a healthier world."
