Research Programs
Core Research Areas
Together, these research areas form the foundation of our mission to combat rheumatic heart disease globally and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Hand-held Echo
Revolutionizing rheumatic heart disease diagnostics with portable imaging technology
Artificial Intelligence
Harnessing AI to improve early diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease
Task Shifting
Empowering local healthcare workers to take on new and critical roles in rheumatic heart disease care
Community-Informed Design
Ensuring rheumatic heart disease solutions are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve
Secondary Prevention
Developing strategies to prevent rheumatic heart disease progression in individuals already at risk
Implementation Science
Turning rheumatic heart disease research into real-world impact through effective policy and practice
Community-Based Participatory Research
Collaborating with local populations to create meaningful, sustainable health interventions for rheumatic heart disease
Clinical Trials
Testing new rheumatic heart disease treatments and therapies to improve patient outcomes
Community Sensitization
Raising awareness and fostering education about rheumatic heart disease
Risk Factors
Identifying and mitigating the underlying factors contributing to rheumatic heart disease
Quality of Life
Enhancing the overall well-being of individuals living with rheumatic heart disease
Current Projects Driving Innovation in Rheumatic Heart Disease Research and Care
Our Center is actively working on a wide range of projects that address critical aspects of rheumatic heart disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Each project brings unique insights and innovations to the field, advancing our mission to improve heart health worldwide. Below are some of our current initiatives:Projects (8)
ACT-GLOBAL
Piloting a dynamic mobile rheumatic heart disease registry to improve patient outcomes and drive continuous quality improvement (Haiti, DR, Zambia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Pakistan)
ADUNU
Testing an integrated unit of service for rheumatic heart disease screening and care that can be integrated into public health systems in low-resource areas
ARC
Finding biomarkers for rheumatic fever that could serve as the foundation for a new diagnostic test
CAMPS PLUS
Understanding the impact of a community health worker strategy to support patient adherence to prophylaxis
GOALIE
Determining if oral penicillin prophylaxis is non-inferior to injectable
GOAL-Post
Refining the duration of prophylaxis for children with mild rheumatic heart disease
IN-STEP
Developing and testing innovative methods for improving cardiac care for Native American children and adults
RESET
Testing a novel sore throat treatment program to prevent rheumatic heart disease
Student and Junior Investigator Projects
We are proud to support the next generation of rheumatic heart disease researchers through hands-on projects and mentorship. Some of these projects include:Projects (3)
ChatBots
Using AI-driven chatbots to provide real-time education and support for patients at risk of rheumatic heart disease
RHD-SMS
Investigating the role of SMS messaging in improving patient adherence to rheumatic heart disease treatments
RISCC
Advancing research on rheumatic heart disease risk factors and their links to other chronic diseases
Community-Informed Work
At the heart of our research approach is a deep commitment to Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). We collaborate closely with Community Advisory Boards and build strong partnerships with people living with rheumatic heart disease and their communities. These partnerships ensure that the voices of those most affected by rheumatic heart disease are central to every phase of the research process—from design and implementation to data collection and dissemination. By working hand-in-hand with community members, we create research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also relevant, culturally sensitive, and directly responsive to the needs and priorities of our partner populations.
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