The Issue
Addressing the Research Capacity Gap in Global Child, Adolescent & Family Health Disparities Utilizing Implementation and Data Sciences among Vulnerable Populations in Resource-limited Settings (ACHIEVE)
Health disparities affecting children, adolescents, and their caregivers remain a persistent challenge globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is a critical shortage of clinician-scientists and researchers with expertise in dissemination and implementation (D&I) and data science who can translate evidence-based interventions into real-world settings. This gap is especially evident across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the disease burden is high and research capacity remains limited.
The Intervention
The ACHIEVE Research Training Program aims to build capacity in D&I and data science research among early-career medical and doctoral professionals. The program provides one-year mentored global health research training to medical doctors (MDs) and post-doctoral (PhD) fellows from the U.S. and post-professional degree graduates (e.g., MBChB) from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Uganda.
ACHIEVE brings together a bi-directional network of mentors from the Global North and South to support equitable collaboration, experiential learning, and skills transfer. Training focuses on the application of D&I and data science methods to priority areas such as HIV/AIDS, mental health, cancer, nutrition, environmental health, and child and adolescent well-being.
The Impact
ACHIEVE seeks to develop a cadre of approximately 50 early-career researchers equipped to apply D&I and data science approaches to address health inequities in diverse, low-resource contexts. Graduates of the program will strengthen regional research capacity, enhance translation of evidence-based practices into policy and practice, and contribute to sustainable, context-specific public health solutions that reduce health disparities across the life course.
