Research group

Global Health (Demography)

Selective focus photo of girl in shirt smiling

The Global Health research group in Social Statistics and Demography is focused on exploring health issues and inequalities around the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

About

Staff from within Social Statistics and Demography are involved with a large number of Global Health projects and programmes in partnership with colleagues from across the university and from other institutions globally. Our key areas of research are embedded within international development frameworks such as the UN Strategic Development Goals (SDGs). Much of our work is underpinned by our strong quantitative expertise, and a hallmark of our work is the analysis of large and complex datasets to inform policy design. We have a strong focus on inequity and improving the health of the most vulnerable

The group collaborates closely with a number of high- profile policy organisations such as the WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and the UK Government, and has an extensive network of international and national research partners from countries throughout the world. We have well-established links with many low- and middle-income countries including India, China, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, Nepal, Ukraine, Brazil and Honduras.

Many of the Department’s Global Health Researchers are members of the Centre for Global Health and Policy (GHaP), an interdisciplinary centre based in the School of Economic, Social and Political Sciences. We also work closely with researchers from human geography engaged in WorldPop to produce novel geo-spatial estimates of key SDG indicators, including adolescent childbearing.

Areas of particular focus include sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), as well as maternal, child and adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, disability and health systems. For example, projects working in Central and South America aim to improve the sexual and reproductive health of women and mothers, especially those in protracted displacement. We also work on issues related to the well-being of internally displaced persons in Ukraine. We have a long-lasting collaboration with the African Health Research Institute studying HIV/AIDS and other diseases in South Africa, especially among couples. Our work on lower limb conditions in Nepal and Cambodia analyses the prevalence of the conditions with the aim of raising awareness and support. Finally, during the Covid-19 pandemic, our staff have been involved with projects on maternity care in the UK and around the world.

News and events

Explore our Social Statistics and Demography news and events pages to find out more about our activities.

Research highlights

Giving displaced women and girls a voice

Professor Pia Riggirozzi highlights the perilous journeys migrant women and young girls from Central America and Venezuela undertake, including the risks they face and failures of current policies to protect them.

Improving maternal and neonatal health in India

Global health experts at Southampton are working with government to improve survival rates for expectant mothers and newborns. Their findings are influencing policy.

People, projects, publications and PhDs

People

My research focuses on access to health care for mothers, children, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups, in low- and middle-income countries.

Related research institutes, centres and groups

Related research institutes, centres and groups