The 2024 Inclusive Health Research Awards, held in Africa for the first time, recognises health research into sexual minorities, long COVID and scientists with disabilities
The Inclusive Health Research Awards (IHRA), hosted by Nature Awards, in partnership with Takeda, announced the winners for 2024. For the first time, the conference and awards ceremony were held in Africa, South Africa (SA) at the University of Stellenbosch, presenting an opportunity to highlight the region’s pivotal role in advancing the global health economy.
The event underscored the continent’s contributions to healthcare innovation, fair access and effective delivery systems and aligns with Springer Nature’s broader goals of promoting global equity in research and scientific discovery. It brought together inclusive leading health and equity for discussions on improving health outcomes for all of society.
The 2024 IHRAs were awarded to three winners who have significantly contributed to a diverse, patient -and community-inclusive research ecosystem:
- First prize went to researcher, Monica Malta from the University of Toronto, Canada, for her RISE Study (’Resist, Intervene, Support, Empower’) which aims to address high levels of violence and poverty among sexual and gender minorities in Brazil.
- Mark Faghy, from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom, won second prize for research profiling the determinants of long COVID, with the aim to understanding experiences of those who continue to be affected by symptoms.
- Kelsey Chapman from Griffith University in Australia, was awarded the IHRA award for the Dignity Project which collected data on scientists with disabilities to design dignified services and systems, to enhance health outcomes and equity.
“For the IHRA to achieve its goals, the inclusive health initiatives highlighted at the event are fundamentally geared toward igniting and building relationships with key stakeholders such as corporates, non-governmental organisations, healthcare providers, and government departments. These partnerships provide access to resources, expertise, and the necessary support to translate research into tangible health outcomes.” – Helena Jensen, Head of Grants & Awards, Springer Nature
Jensen said the decision to bring the awards ceremony to the African continent was decide on by this their ideal for global collaboration and engagement. She stressed that African research, researchers and communities form an integral part of Springer Nature’s to champion the transformational power of outstanding science and its potential to make positive change in the world.
The ethos of the IHRA is rooted in upholding the contributions of research participants as co-creators of research, has informed the nominations and awarding of the winners: “The IHRA enables a progressive programme of health research co-creation, which contributes to the conception of fair and impactful research collaborations, setting a precedent for international partnerships. This follows recognition by the Nature Awards that there is a serious need for equitable research partnerships in the global South,” Jenner said.
By highlighting innovation and best practices, Nature aims to advance global health equity and create positive health impacts, ensuring research yields practical, sustainable, cost-effective and accessible solutions, while giving a voice to affected individuals and groups. It involves close collaboration with patients, caregivers, local clinicians, scientists, experts and patient and community/civil society groups to understand their needs, priorities and wishes.
The IHRA does not only uncover and recognise innovation and best practice in inclusive health research but also, through its native-built Best Practice Toolkit, created a platform to share innovative ideas and encourage wider adoption of co-production of research, advancing global health equity.
The three winners will each receive a prize of €20,000 (R385 000) to further develop their projects. Additionally, the winners receive a promotion on nature.com and presented their work at the awards event to reach a wider audience. Shortlisted candidates will also contribute papers for a special online collection for the Journal of Research.
The 2024 IHRA’s, hosted in Africa, signify an important moment of health research development and the role of the African continent in this important work, as well as emphasising the crucial role of the continent’s research and global collaboration in achieving health equity.
Shortlisted candidates:
- Sarah Ahannach from the University of Antwerp in Belgium for the Isala project – the world’s largest citizen science project on women’s health which aims to map the female microbiome for better diagnostics, therapeutics and preventive care. Isala is also dedicated to break taboos on intimate health; promote interdisciplinary science; inform the public about women’s health; and build a vibrant community to close the health equity gap.
- Sharuna Verghis from the Monash University Malaysia for the study on the feasibility of COVID-19 Self-Testing in Refugee Learning Centres.
- Catriona Waitt from the Infectious Diseases Institute in Uganda was shortlisted for a study to ensure fair inclusion of diverse people in clinical research, with a specific focus on pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies.
- Depression Detectives set up at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh by Iona Beange is an online, citizen science project, where people with lived experience of depression and data scientists co-produced a small research project. The platform found that most people who self-report depression, have no mention of it in their GP records. This has implications for data scientists, doctors and policymakers.
- Kathryn Underwood from Toronto Metropolitan University started the Inclusive Early Childhood Service System project that examines structural and intersectional ableism in health, education and social services.
- JoLee Sasakamoose’s research titled Okawimaw Kanosimowin – Mother’s Bundle enhances maternal and birth outcomes for pregnant Indigenous women in Saskatchewan. By integrating cultural teachings, peer support, evidence-based care, and community partnerships, the project improves healthcare access and strengthens cultural connections. JoLee is based at the University of Regina in Canada.
Photo
(L-R): Chris Nathaniel, Head of Medical Affairs, South Africa, Takeda; Helena Jensen, Senior Publishing Manager, Springer Nature; Monica Malta, RISE Study; Kelsey Chapman, The Dignity Project; Mark Faghy, University of Derby; Akin Jimoh, Chief Editor, Nature Africa and Linn Parrish, Head of Health Equity Alliances and Partnerships, Global Medical, Takeda (Photo: Deborah Rossouw)
