The Volkswagen Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, and Wellcome Trust have launched the funding initiative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health to explore the complex relationship between mobility trends and health systems. Five international research projects have been awarded a total of €7.1 million to address critical global health challenges, including skilled worker shortages in the medical sector, drug resistance, and strategies for building resilient, equitable healthcare systems in the context of global migration. The selected projects stand out for their scientific originality, social relevance, and strong international collaboration, engaging local communities, NGOs, and authorities across countries of varying income levels.
One project, Hitch-hiking East Africa, focuses on tackling the growing threat of artemisinin-resistant malaria in the Great Lakes region. Researchers will collect data, model disease spread, and work with local partners to implement targeted interventions and an early warning system. Another project, TRANS-WELL, will investigate the links between migration and health in crisis-affected regions, using case studies from Mozambique, the Dominican Republic, and Thailand to develop inclusive health system planning tools that prioritise social justice and sustainable development.
The Global Health Diasporas project examines how health professionals from Colombia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka who live abroad can contribute positively to their countries of origin through return migration, knowledge transfer, and investment. Nexus4Her addresses the sexual, reproductive, and mental health needs of young refugee and migrant women in Ecuador and Uganda, creating trauma-sensitive strategies to improve health literacy, access to care, and community awareness.
Finally, a project on Indonesia’s emerging role as a major exporter of nurses will assess the impact of migration policies on the country’s healthcare training and labour market. This research aims to generate valuable insights for global policy discussions while responding to Indonesia’s specific needs. Collectively, these projects seek to bridge disciplinary divides, address health inequalities, and create sustainable solutions to mobility-related health challenges worldwide.
