Collaborating on ACACIA: Gaining Insights, Transforming Lives

Author: Lindsay Zurba (ACACIA collaborator, Director of Education for Health Africa)

23/06/2023

As a collaborator assisting with the lung function testing and serving as a field team manager on the ACACIA project, I am delighted to share my incredible experience. Our passionate team of researchers from Africa and the UK has united with a common goal: to deepen our understanding of asthma in African youth and improve their health outcomes.

Over the past two decades, asthma prevalence among young people in African countries, especially urban areas, has risen significantly. Yet, research in this area has been limited, leaving a critical knowledge gap. The ACACIA project aims to bridge this gap by uncovering the challenges faced by African children with asthma and developing effective interventions for better management.

Generously funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), our project holds immense promise in unravelling the complexities surrounding asthma in African children and addressing the barriers they encounter.

As a collaborator, I've had the privilege of working closely with a dedicated, multidisciplinary team of researchers, healthcare professionals, and community members. Together, we conducted comprehensive lung function testing, gathered valuable data, and are analyzing findings to uncover key insights. Witnessing the collective effort and passion driving this project forward has been truly rewarding.

I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the impact our research will have on the lives of young people with asthma in Africa. By addressing their unique challenges, we can pave the way for improved, tailored asthma management strategies.

I invite you to join us on this transformative journey, as we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of African children with asthma. Together, we can reshape asthma care and empower these young individuals to live healthier, happier lives.

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the exciting discoveries that lie ahead. Let's create a brighter future for young people with asthma in Africa through the ACACIA project.