PHR Staff

The Wits Planetary Health Research Division conducts investigator-driven research on climate change and health. The projects, funded by the US National Institutes for Health and Welcome Trust, include partners from across Africa and the EU. Our studies examine how extreme heat affects vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants, and people living in urban heat islands. We apply traditional statistical and novel data science methods to quantify the risks of heat exposure in these populations and investigate the biological mechanisms underpinning these impacts. Taken together our work will develop indicators for tracking heat-health impacts globally, test adaptation strategies, and support scaled-up national climate and health programmes and financing.