Suva

Increasing heat exposure caused by climate change is affecting communities worldwide, especially those living in poor housing conditions such as informal settlements and low-income households. This research aims to study the impact of applying sunlight-reflecting cool roof coatings on indoor temperatures and overall health. The trial is a global, multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled study conducted in five urban climate hotspots across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, where heat exposure and vulnerable housing conditions pose significant health risks. The study compares households that receive a cool roof coating, which reflects sunlight and reduces indoor heat, with those that keep their original roofs. The cool roof coating works by reflecting ultraviolet and visible sunlight and radiating absorbed heat, thus lowering indoor temperatures and energy use. The trial will run over a 12-month period, including the hottest months of the year, to measure the effects on health, indoor environment, and economic outcomes. Participants will undergo repeated measurements including resting heart rate, blood glucose control, depression symptoms, and various health and environmental factors over the course of the study. Data will be collected at baseline and multiple times during the hottest months and alternate months. Researchers will monitor indoor air temperature, humidity, heat index, and household energy use continuously. The study seeks to provide evidence on whether cool roofs can improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing in vulnerable populations facing extreme heat.

Fiji, a group of 332 islands in the South Pacific, faces risks from mosquito-borne viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, as well as respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. These viruses pose public health challenges due to Fijis climate, mosquito species, and international connections. This research aims to gather up-to-date information on virus prevalence and immunity to help improve health policies in Fiji and nearby regions. The AEVI-Fiji Cohort Study is a 38-month observational study involving about 900 participants aged six years and older from randomly selected households in Fijis Central Division. Participants will be visited four times, one year apart, to provide blood samples for serological testing and complete questionnaires about their infection history. Throughout the study, those with suspected acute infections will be screened and monitored. Participants will be involved in four yearly visits where demographic information and blood samples are collected to measure immunity levels against arboviruses and respiratory viruses. The study will track changes in individual immunity over time and monitor acute infections via screening and sequencing. The primary goal is to assess herd immunity by the end of the first year, with ongoing follow-up to understand transmission dynamics and prepare for future outbreaks.