The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Health Community of Practice is pleased to host the next community teleconference on Tuesday, March 18 from 8:30AM-11:00AM EDT (GMT-4). This teleconference will offer 4-minute flash talks on ongoing research applications related to air quality, water- and vector-borne diseases, vaccinations, and health surveillance topics in the African region.
Agenda
Opening Words (8:30–9:00AM EDT/GMT-4)
Welcome Words from CoP Co-Chairs (John Haynes, NASA; Juli Trtanj, NOAA; Didier Davignon, ECCC) (10 minutes)
Welcome Words from AfriGEO Leadership (Ken Kasera, RCMRD; Peninah Mukami Njogu, RCMRD; Nale Mudau, SANSA) (10 minutes)
Clim-Health Africa Five Year Workplan 2025-2029: An Opportunity for Integrated and Collaborative Work on Climate Change and Health in Africa – Brama Koné (Clim-Health Africa, Republic of Congo) (10 minutes)
Category 1: Air Quality (9:00-9:15AM EDT/GMT-4)
Spatial Modeling of Asthma-Prone Areas in Kwale County Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning – Thomas Njoka (RCMRD, Kenya)
Air Quality and Health Indicators at the City Level with the GEO Human Planet Initiative – Michele Melchiorri (European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Italy)
Q&A moderated by Didier Davignon (ECCC)
Category 2: Water-Related Diseases (9:15-9:40AM EDT/GMT-4)
Prediction of Water-borne Diseases Africa: A Curious Case of Cholera – Antarpreet Jutla (University of Florida, USA)
Linkages between Water Hyacinth, Water Quality, and Human Health in Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe – Mgcini Ncube, University of Twente, The Netherlands)
Mapping Water Quality in the Informal Settlements of South Africa through PlanetScope Data (Oupa Malahlela, University of Venda, South Africa)
Q&A moderated by Juli Trtanj (NOAA)
Category 3: Vector-Borne Diseases (9:40-10:05AM EDT/GMT-4)
Using EO Data to Improve Technical Assistance for Bednet Distribution for Malaria Eradication in Nigeria – Hasim Engin (Center for Integrated Earth System Information, Columbia Climate School, USA)
Integrating EO Data Products into Malaria Risk Modelling in Low-Resource and Income Countries with Earth Engine – Nicholas Musau (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – Nairobi, Kenya)
Vector Space: Strengthening Malaria Prediction in Ethiopia through Advanced Hybrid Models – Sean Schwager (Speedykom, Germany)
A Revised Model to Predict Rift Valley Fever Virus Transmission Risk for Livestock – Lory Willard (USDA ARS CMAVE, USA)
Q&A moderated by John Haynes (NASA)
Category 4: Health Surveillance (10:05-10:25AM EDT/GMT-4)
Enhancing Public Health Outreach through Geospatial Vaccination Tracking in Borno State, Nigeria – Jagila Jantiku (National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria)
Using ISATIS.NEO to Monitor Accidents among Artisanal Gold Miners in Kakamega – Alexander Opicho (RCMRD, Kenya)
Mapping Health Facility Catchment Areas: Ongoing Work and Lessons from Malawi – Patrick Ken Kalonde (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Malawi)
Q&A moderated by Ken Kasera (RCMRD)
Category 5: Health Surveillance (10:25-10:45AM EDT/GMT-4)
Esri’s ArcGIS: An AI-Enabled System for Critical Imagery Workflows in Public Health Situational Awareness – Lorien Innes (Esri, UAE)
Analyzing Ambulance Service Response Time using Geospatial Techniques – Mai Bukar Adama (National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria)
Development of Health Facilities Website for Emergency Response in Nigeria – Qudus Taiwo (National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria)
Q&A moderated by Nale Mudau (SANSA)
Summary & Closing Words (10:45-11:00AM EDT/GMT-4)