Building a Consortium to address Climate Change, Health, and Complex Challenges (CHOICE)
About the Project
Progress towards the health and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (HHSDGs) has been inconsistent, and at present, many countries are far from meeting them. Advancements have been hampered by mounting risks associated with population growth, urbanisation, COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, gender gaps, social and economic inequality, and climate change. CHOICE will have a particularly keen focus on the potential of climate change to jeopardize HHSDGs. For example, climate-related disruption of food systems can worsen nutrition, and deteriorating perceptions of climate mitigation strategies can lead to rising physical health concerns, mental health issues, and other debilitating conditions.
CHOICE aims to inform health and wellbeing by addressing these interconnected risks and understanding the role of inequalities in limiting progress. It will do so by harnessing the expertise of multisectoral think tanks and regional consortia to develop cross-cutting solutions. It will not only mobilise existing national and regional think tanks, but also develop new where they are not established.
CHOICE will focus on three (3) countries each from South-Central Asia and Sub-saharan Africa. These include:
South-Central Asia
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Kyrgyzstan
Sub-Saharan Africa
Objectives
CHOICE seeks to improve health and wellbeing and address inequality by supporting the implementation of health and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. It will:
- Activate and mobilise regional and in-country think tanks to facilitate achieving the HHSDGs
- Conduct six in-depth country case studies exploring solutions
- Illustrate intersectoral challenges involving, for example, mental health, nutrition, food systems, and gender equality
- Create a framework to track progress and advocate for the HHSDGs with government and civil society stakeholders
Research Partners
CHOICE will be jointly implemented by the Institute for Global Health and Development at the Aga Khan University (IGHD) and Centre for Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Canada. IGHD and SickKids will conduct statistical analysis throughout the project’s implementation and oversee a global systematic review.
The project is supported by the generous donation of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), AKU-MC, AKU's Brain and Mind Institute, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Distinguished University Professor and Founding Director, IGHD and Dr Jai K Das, Assistant Director, IGHD are leading the project.
