Co-developing a multi-sectoral-primary care partnership to address inequalities in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in the Maasai in Kenya

The aim of HEKIMA_Maasai is to understand the lived experiences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the Maasai in Kenya and to co-develop a multisectoral partnership with Primary Health Care for prevention.
Project status
Ongoing
Departments
International

The aim of HEKIMA_Maasai is to understand the lived experiences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the Maasai in Kenya and co-develop a multisectoral partnership with Primary Health Care for prevention. It builds on the team’s HEKIMA_Vihiga study, which shows the value of a community market-primary health care partnership for CVD prevention services to vulnerable populations. There are over 1 million Maasai in Kenya. They experience high levels of poverty and poor access to care. Environmental pollution and shrinking pastureland are promoting high carbohydrate and salt intake and less physical activity. CVD is the leading cause of death. The team will use creative participatory methods to build partnerships across sectors (e.g. health, agriculture, trade) and identify actionable priorities for CVD prevention. They will work with policy makers and practitioners to ensure that the findings benefit implementation of policies targeting social determinants of health, and access to preventative services.

Research Team: Professor Seeromanie Harding, King’s College London; Dr Lydia Kaduka, Kenya Medical Research Institute; Dr Kennerdy Karani, Maasai Mara University; Dr Joseph Mutai, Kenya Medical Research Institute

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