George Institute For Global Health

The ANUMATI project endeavours to delve into the risk factors associated with mental health among older adolescents (aged 15–19) residing in urban slums, while also aiming to introduce an intervention scheme to bolster their resilience. The primary objective involves investigating both the risks and factors contributing to resilience against prevalent mental disorders in this demographic.
The preliminary phase comprised formative research aimed at comprehending the perspectives of adolescents concerning mental health issues, the associated risk elements, and the factors fostering resilience. Subsequently, a quantitative survey involving 3490 participants was conducted to gauge mental health status, individual and environmental risk elements, and the level of resilience present.

The ARTEMIS initiative focuses on aiding adolescents aged 10 to 19 in overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health issues within Indian slums. It introduces a mobile device-based decision support system (mHealth) tailored for urban primary healthcare staff (UPHCs) and seeks to assess the impact of depression, stress, and the risk of suicide among adolescents.
This endeavour takes the form of an implementation cluster-randomized trial intended to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-stigma campaign and an electronic decision-making system in reducing depression and stress among adolescents residing in slums. The trial encompasses a process and economic evaluation conducted across 60 slum clusters situated in Delhi and Vijayawada.

Within rural communities along the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Uddanam area of Srikakulam district, there exists a notably high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined etiology (CKDu). Recognizing the imperative for targeted investigation, The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh jointly initiated the ‘Grand Challenge’ to discern the underlying causes behind this surge in chronic kidney disease.
Selected as part of this Grand Challenge initiative, The George Institute's "Study to Test, Operationalise Preventive Approaches for CKDu in Andhra Pradesh (STOP CKDu)" aims for comprehensive exploration. Its objectives encompass estimating the disease burden, conducting environmental mapping, and pinpointing the etiology of CKD. Engaging nearly 2500 participants from 67 villages, the study also delves into the economic repercussions of CKD and endeavours to craft evidence-based interventions.

An estimated 180,000 deaths annually are attributed to burns, primarily prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, with India reporting the highest mortality rates. A comprehensive review by researchers at The George Institute revealed a significant gap in rehabilitation guidelines or community-based programs for burns in resource-poor settings.
The ongoing efforts are focused on mitigating barriers to delivering burn care by fortifying health systems through the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Burn Injuries (NPPMBI) and enhancing recovery outcomes for burn victims. This initiative is actively progressing in Uttar Pradesh, with data collection and acquisition already underway.
Currently, data collection for the burn registry is ongoing at four medical college sites in Uttar Pradesh and one in Delhi. The qualitative aspect, which involves understanding health system factors and patients' journeys, is scheduled to commence in November 2021.

This project's primary goal is to comprehend the out-of-pocket expenses linked to tuberculosis treatment in India while scrutinizing the nature of catastrophic expenditure incurred by tuberculosis patients in the country. The research encompasses 1536 drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients from four states: Assam, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. These patients were identified from both the general populace and high-risk groups, including individuals residing in slums and tea garden workers/families/residents. Alongside drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients, the study encompasses multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients meeting specific selection criteria. A distinctive facet of this initiative lies in evaluating the health and financial statuses of tuberculosis patients post-treatment in India.

Tribal communities in India account for approximately 8.6% of the nation's population, totalling around 104 million individuals. Predominantly residing in hilly and forested areas, many within these communities lead culturally distinct lives marked by poverty and limited access to essential services, including healthcare. The majority grapple with insufficient resources, contributing to disparities in health services. This diminished access to healthcare services among tribal communities can be attributed to various factors, such as lack of awareness, limited transportation and healthcare facility access, financial constraints, and cultural influences.
In response to this pressing issue, the team initiated a research project targeting the tribal and tea tribe communities within the Kokrajhar district of Assam. The primary objective is to formulate strategies aimed at enhancing primary healthcare accessibility through the existing public healthcare system.

While investigating health reform in Kerala, it became evident that women hold multifaceted roles and significantly contribute to the healthcare sector. Subsequently, The George Institute India conducted a concise qualitative study aiming to comprehend the influences, approaches, and encounters of women leaders in the health arena within Kerala. The study involved in-depth interviews with 16 women leaders, comprising individuals in senior technical positions, a leader within a local self-government institution, a traditional healer, and an activist from a non-governmental organization (NGO). Additionally, a short film titled 'Redefining Power' was created to depict their experiences. These remarkable women were also showcased at the 2019 Women Leaders in Health conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Char community in Assam resides within alluvial formations known as the 'chars' and consistently grapples with water-related calamities. In 2017, The George Institute conducted a qualitative study within the Char population of Assam, revealing that a complex interplay of contextual factors significantly influences these communities' ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters.
The ongoing study aims to comprehensively explore all facets of community vulnerability in two districts of Assam. Employing a participatory approach, the investigation seeks to understand community vulnerability and resilience concerning disasters. Additionally, a review of disaster-related policies guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was undertaken. This preliminary study serves as a foundation for developing and prioritizing interventions geared towards reducing disaster risks for subsequent testing and implementation.

The Health Accelerator Programme by The George Institute India aims to bolster innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership competencies within the spheres of health impact and business outcomes. A pivotal component of this initiative involves the identification of potentially high-impact, disruptive innovations through competitions and challenges, followed by supporting their growth and efficacy.
Key Objectives: • Reinforcing the persistent need to elevate the focus on innovation among stakeholders. • Pledging to fortify health systems in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. • Identifying and nurturing local health innovations that possess the potential to significantly fortify health systems. • Proactively anticipating and addressing the intricate challenges confronting health systems and societies in the 21st century, adopting a comprehensive approach and preparedness to respond.

Excessive salt intake is closely linked to high blood pressure, a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), contributing to an estimated 1.47 million deaths annually in India. Given that salt is a fundamental component in cooking and seasoning at home, employing salt substitutes emerges as an effective approach to curtail salt consumption.
This study presents robust evidence regarding the impact of salt substitution on blood pressure regulation. Over a three-month period, participants exhibited a notable reduction in their systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, there was a significant uptick in potassium intake among those using the salt substitute. Feedback from participants indicated similarity between regular salt and the reduced-sodium salt substitutes, affirming the acceptability of these substitutes for home cooking.

Health 10x comprises a pre-accelerator and an accelerator program designed and executed jointly by The George Institute and UNSW Founders.
Entrepreneurial ventures participating in this initiative gain access to the extensive health knowledge base and worldwide research and clinical connections of The George Institute, coupled with the entrepreneurial guidance provided by UNSW Founders.
Start-ups enrolled in Health 10x benefit from customized entrepreneurship education suited to their specific stage of business growth. Additionally, they receive specialized health-oriented modules delivered by subject matter experts affiliated with The George Institute.

The Women's Health Program at The George Institute in India aligns with the overarching principle of the Global Women's Health Program, emphasizing the comprehensive well-being of women throughout their lifespans. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the primary objective is to generate substantial empirical evidence to enhance women's health in India, promote gender equality, and empower women by 2030.
At TGI India, the researchers are currently engaged in four overarching themes that encompass various facets of women's health:
• Women's cancer and gynaecological morbidity
• Women's health in relation to the environment
• Prevention, detection, and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
• Human resources for health, with a specific emphasis on female frontline workers and fostering women's health leadership.

The primary focus of The George Institute is to discover improved treatments for the most significant health challenges faced globally.
It conducts extensive epidemiological studies and clinical trials, often spanning multiple nations. Additionally, it pioneers new medications and technological solutions aimed at preventing and treating prevalent chronic and critical conditions with a global outlook.
The efforts aim to revolutionize healthcare practices and enhance health outcomes worldwide. It strives to identify the most effective, safe, and cost-effective methods to prevent and manage chronic and critical conditions that result in substantial loss of life and significantly diminish life quality. This includes:
• Conducting high-quality clinical research targeting a wide spectrum of common chronic and critical conditions.
• Innovating scalable medicines and technologies designed for the prevention and treatment of prevalent chronic and critical conditions.

The organisation is committed to fostering equitable enhancements in the health and well-being of populations worldwide, operating across various countries. The initiatives involve pioneering innovative and leading-edge research, assessment, policies, advocacy, and knowledge creation to amplify positive impacts in multiple areas:
1. Governments: It engages in research endeavours that endorse evidence-informed policymaking, centring on equity and human rights, to support fair and effective regulations.
2. The commercial sector: The efforts extend to sectors influencing health, such as food supply, transportation, healthcare delivery, and products, aiming to encourage positive health impacts.
3. Communities: It collaborates with diverse communities, including Tribal/First Nations groups, empowering them to leverage internal resources for enhancing local, regional, and global health and well-being outcomes.