The UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS) has included a study by BSMS researchers in its list of top global development case studies.
The study, 'Guiding treatment and leading advocacy for podoconiosis, a common but highly neglected tropical disease' has been included in a list of 20 studies judged by the UKCDS to have had an impressive impact on global development. It was selected from 6,975 projects submitted to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The list highlights the important role research plays in sustainable development across the world.
Podoconiosis is a tropical disease caused by continued skin exposure to irritant red clay soils and results in the painful swelling of sufferers' feet and lower legs. It affects 4 million people across the world, most commonly in the highland areas of Africa, India and Central America.
For the past eight years, Prof Gail Davey, Professor of Global Health Epidemiology and Prof Melanie Newport, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, working in collaboration with researchers in Ethiopia have investigated the disease. Their research has been instrumental in understanding its causes, consequences and treatment, and as a result, treatment programmes have now been established to improve the health and well-being of 60,000 Ethiopian patients.
The University of Sussex's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Prof Michael Davies gave his congratulations to the group, saying this recognition is "most deserved [and highlights] the excellent impact of [the team's] research".
The UKCDS is a group of 14 government departments and research funders, including the Department of Health, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. It was created to identify opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing in international development research, with a goal of ensuring that money spent by the UK on international development is put to good use.
Read the full list of global development case studies >