Global WACh

In July, researchers affiliated with UW/Global WACh and partner institutions attended two annual conferences held in Rio de Janeiro: The International Workshop on Pediatrics & HIV and AIDS 2026, the International AIDS Conference. Both conferences are highly influential meetings on cutting-edge HIV research and its applications to move science into policy and practice. (more…)

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September 17, 2026

Researchers receive award to design mHealth intervention to support adolescents transition to adult HIV care

Categories: Awards, HIV, Implementation Science, mHealth, Publication

We are pleased to announce a new NIH-funded grant titled, “iTake Charge: Development and evaluation of an m-Health transition intervention for youth living with HIV in Kenya,” led by Multiple Principal Investigators Dr. Kristin Beima-Sofie (Senior Research Scientist, Global WACh), and Emory University faculty, Dr. Irene Njuguna (also Global WACh Advisor, Partnership and Collaboration) and Dr. Brian Zanoni.

The study addresses challenges among adolescents with HIV who are transitioning from pediatric to adult-centered care. They often experience high rates of mortality, virologic failure, and loss to follow up. Mobile health interventions (mHealth) offer great promise in improving the transition process and optimizing retention in care and viral suppression. (more…)

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Global Cardiovascular Health Pilot Award funds new Global WACh and Pediatrics collaboration to improve newborn health in Ghana

Categories: Awards, Gut Health and Child Survival, Implementation Science, Research

This year’s Global Cardiovascular Health Program Interdisciplinary Team Science Pilot Grant is funding an exciting collaboration between Global WACh, UW Pediatrics, and the University of Development Studies and Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana.

Drs. Nelangi Pinto (Professor, Pediatrics-Cardiology) and Kristin Beima Sofie (Senior Research Scientist, Global WACh) are Principal Investigators of “Pilot Implementation of Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening to Improve Early Detection of Congenital Heart Disease in Resource Constrained Facilities in Northern Ghana.” (more…)

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July 14, 2026

Researchers share LAUNCH trial and implementation research findings on faith leader-community health worker partnerships to improve newborn and infant health in Ethiopia

Categories: Children, Gut Health and Child Survival, Implementation Science, Research

Faith leaders, maternal and child health stakeholders, and SCOPE/University of Gondar researchers at the LAUNCH dissemination meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Global WACh Research Scientist, Dr. Dieudonne Hakizimana, and collaborators of Strengthening Opportunities through Partnership in Ethiopia (SCOPE), including the University of Gondar team, met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to disseminate results of the LAUNCH (Leading Advancements for the Uptake of Newborn and Community Health) trial and related implementation research studies. The LAUNCH trial evaluated a community-based behavior change strategy in Ethiopia that paired Ethiopian Orthodox priests with community health workers, known in Ethiopia as the Health Development Army (HDA), to deliver maternal, newborn and infant health education to families. (more…)

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BONDS study engages stakeholders to adapt a child development intervention package in Kenya

Categories: HIV, Neurodevelopment, Research

BONDS study team members and participants at the Intervention Adaptation Workshop in Kenya

On June 10-12, 2026, the BONDS study team hosted about 30 partners and community collaborators in Kenya for a workshop to review a child development intervention package and identify adaptations to make it culturally appropriate for use in Kenya. Participants included healthcare providers, community health promoters, pregnant women, mothers of small children, and County Ministry of Health representatives. (more…)

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July 13, 2026

AMANI trial prepares to launch, supporting Kenyan health facilities to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality

Categories: Uncategorized

AMANI study team members in Nairobi, Kenya

Over two weeks in June, the AMANI (Accelerating Maternal And Neonatal survIval) trial team met in Nairobi, Kenya for its official launch meeting. The team includes Drs. Arianna Means and Sarah Hicks (UW Department of Global Health), Dr. Jennifer Unger (Brown University), and Dr. John Kinuthia, June Moraa, Violet Apondi, Stanley Wainaina, Joan Kanithi, and Emma Nzove (Kenyatta National Hospital).
(more…)

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June 5, 2026

Global WACh Student Poster Symposium Round-Up 2026

Categories: Certificate Program, Research, students

On June 2nd in the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, Global WACh hosted its annual Student Poster Symposium that featured 11 graduate student research posters focused on maternal-child health.

The majority of presenters are enrolled in the Global WACh Graduate Certificate Program and are graduating in the 2026 academic year. The certificate program offers opportunities for additional learning about woman, adolescent, and child health topics through 12 credits of coursework and a 90-hour capstone. We wish these students the very best in their future endeavors as public health professionals.

See a list of featured students and poster titles.

(more…)

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March 25, 2026

CROI 2026 Abstract Round-Up

Categories: Conferences, HIV and Co-Infections, Mental Health, PrEP, Research

Global WACh researchers and collaborators participated in this year’s Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), held from February 22-25 in Denver, Colorado. They shared the latest discoveries in the HIV and Co-Infectious Through the Lifecycle research portfolio related to PrEP use among pregnant women living with HIV, STI treatment and prevention approaches, and youth mental health.

See a list of featured abstracts by our researchers and collaborators below. Click on the titles to learn about the projects and their findings. (more…)

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