Shifting Landscapes and Evolving Pathogens: Understanding population vulnerabilities and enhancing health system resilience (SHAPE)

project summary

In many low-income rural settings, communities face increasing threats from infectious diseases, many of which are zoonotic, originating in animals and spreading to humans. These diseases, often transmitted via wildlife or insects, are becoming more prevalent due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and land-use shifts. Recent global outbreaks e.g. COVID-19, Monkeypox have highlighted the urgent need for improved pandemic preparedness.

In Uganda, rural populations are especially vulnerable. They depend on natural resources, live close to both wildlife and livestock, and often lack reliable access to healthcare. Climate and socio-economic pressures are reshaping livelihoods and influencing how women, men, and youth interact with their environments. However, the connections between these shifting dynamics and disease emergence remain poorly understood.

This collaborative research project brings together Ugandan and Danish experts to explore how populations become vulnerable to zoonotic diseases and how health systems and communities can build resilience. By framing disease within a broader socio-ecological context, the project aims to develop tools and strategies grounded in the realities of rural Uganda.

Using advanced simulation modelling including socio-cognitive approaches, the project will assess how climate, economic conditions, and human behaviour shape disease risks. It will also examine how policies on agriculture, biodiversity, and urban development influence human-animal-environment interactions.

A key focus is building local capacity. Ugandan researchers will lead fieldwork and co-create evidence-based interventions with Danish partners, ensuring solutions are effective, culturally appropriate, and equitable.

Outcomes will support Uganda’s development goals and contribute to global health efforts. By addressing rural-urban disparities and promoting sustainable development, the project aligns with key United Nations goals, including good health, gender equality, climate action, and life on land.

Ultimately, this partnership offers a model for international collaboration to tackle complex health challenges in vulnerable communities, providing insights applicable across Africa and beyond.