What does geography have to do with health? A Malagasy-lead study by PIVOT Madagascar researcher Dr. Felana Ihantamalala details how understanding geography can “optimize local interventions” and help achieve universal health care in rural areas.
"One of the most challenging barriers to achieving UHC in Madagascar is geography, where 60% of the population lives more than 5 kilometers from the nearest health facility. Surprisingly, however, the geography of health access remains poorly understood. Health systems, facility locations, and community health programs are designed with limited understanding of the real geographic barriers to care. Climate, waterways, land use, terrain, and physical distance are all central to determining whether a sick child receives care or a pregnant woman delivers at a facility."
Read more about this important study here.
PIVOT works in partnership with communities in resource-poor areas by combining accessible and comprehensive health care services with rigorous scientific research to save lives and break cycles of poverty and disease.