Global Health Research Center of Central Asia

Columbia's Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, or GHRCCA, was established in 2007, and is made up of a dedicated team of faculty, students, researchers, and scientists. Its primary aim is to introduce and advance solutions to many health problems, particularly HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, substance abuse, and malnutrition. The center envisions to develop practical and scientific based solutions. GHRCCA also has a branch office in Almaty, Kazakhstan and regional representatives in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. Staff from New York and staff from Central Asia work closely together to achieve the mission.

More than 80 million people live in Central Asia in the five post-Soviet countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. However, as Central Asia is slowly emerging into a market based economy, it struggles with many rapidly growing health problems. For instance, Central Asia has the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. The influx of cheap heroin along the border areas has worsened substance abuse among vulnerable populations. Many people travel across the region to find jobs, primarily to Kazakhstan. In result, there has been an increase in sex workers and, consequently, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. Without adequate health and education services and resources, Central Asia cannot, by itself, mitigate these problems. By bringing together top experts, local and international experts, government, and universities, GHRCCA is trying to seek sustainable solutions to these problems.

Mission

GHRCCA envisions to develop evidence-based solutions to public health and social problems by conducting research, providing education and training, and collaborating with governments to implement policies. The center is able to do this by forming partnerships with governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations.

Vision

1. Giving vulnerable populations access to health care and social welfare

2. Educating the next generation of research scientists

3. Introducing innovative curriculum through faculty and student exchanges between the university and Central Asia

Core activities

Research

This is done by bringing together top scientists, faculty and researchers of different fields from Columbia University and Central Asian universities.

• • Project Renaissance (2008-2013) -- a five year couple based HIV prevention intervention study, funded by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse, that is conducted on 400 injecting drug users and their partners in Kazakhstan.

• • Project SHIELD CENTRAL ASIA (2008-2009) -- a one year project sponsored by the National Instutite of Drug Abuse that will adapt the current HIV prevention program to drug users in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

• • Project THE SILK ROAD STUDY (2010-2015) -- a study that focuses on HIV/sexually transmitted infections among 2,000 male migrant market vendors in Barakholka Market in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This study will have important implications in understanding the determinants of sexually transmitted diseases among migrant workers and improving their access to health care if they become infected.

• • Tajikistan HIV/AIDS Prevention (2006-2008) -- a two year study that was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. GHRCCA collaborated with the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and the Tajikistan HIV/AIDS Center for Prevention and Care, and implemented an HIV prevention research with Tajik sex workers.

• • Women's Well Study in Mongolia (2007-2012) -- a study funded the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcololism in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, this study will examine the effectiveness of a gender HIV intervention for women who women who are sex workers and alcohol abusers.

• • Family Centered HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care (2008-2009) -- a study funded by a Seed Grant from the Center and the Institute for Social and Economic Research Policy (ISERP), it examined the needs of women and children with HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan. This study is a foundation for future research projects that deal with family centered HIV/AIDS treatment and care.

• • Factors That Affect HIV Treatment Adherence Among IDUs (2008-2009)
  • Prevention of Smoking substance abuse in Kazakhstan (2009)
  • Mental Health in Kazakhstan (2007)

• Education
• Training
• Policy and Dissemination