Mobility and Health -
An International Networked Research Programme

 The IFRTD, in collaboration with the Swiss  Agency for Development and Cooperation  (SDC), the Swiss Resource Centre and  Consultancies for Development (Skat), Swiss  Centre for International Health (SCIH) as part  of the Swiss Tropical Institute, is carrying out  a two-year networked research programme  on the links between Mobility and Health. The programme website is now live at www.mobilityandhealth.org

The programme has three objectives:

(1) to increase the understanding of the impacts of mobility constraints on the health, well-being and issues of poor people in different developing country contexts;

(2) to develop tools that will enable transport professionals to include holistic health impact assessments and mitigation measures in the planning, design and implementation of transport interventions; and

(3) to develop an advocacy programme to sensitise the health sector to mobility and health issues.

The Research Programme and Outputs:

Using a networked research methodology (for more information see www.ifrtd.org/news/about/netres.php), the programme on Mobility and Health aims to carry out 25 case-studies across Asia, Latin America and Africa.

These case-studies will demonstrate the existing and potential links between mobility and health, especially in rural areas.  As a first step in the process, the researchers have come together in regional workshops to finalise their methodology and framework. Once the case-studies are finished (after 6-12 months), an international symposium will be organised to present the issues flowing out of the case-studies and to develop outlines for a ‘toolkit’, a book and an advocacy programme. 

The Researchers:
The researchers have been selected and their profile and case studies are available on www.mobilityandhealth.org.


Background Resources:

Workshop on Mobility and Health, Bern, Switzerland. November 2004. Click here for more information and the full workshop report.

Mobility and Health: The Impact of Transport Provision on direct and Proximate Determinants of Access to Health Services. An article by Dr Kate Molesworth, Swiss Tropical Institute. January 2006. Click here to download (Word Doc 2.98MB - PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A LARGE DOWNLOAD)

A web site www.mobilityandhealth.org has been developed to provide a focal point for knowledge and experience, and a portal through which to access people, organisations and further relevant information resources.


More Information:
Please direct enquiries about the programme as follows -

Email enquiries in English:
Marinke van Riet, IFRTD Secretariat:marinke.vanriet@ifrtd.org

Email enquiries in French:
Guy Kemtsop, IFRTD Secretariat:guy.kemtsop@ifrtd.org

Email enquiries in Spanish:
Ana Bravo, IFRTD Secretariat: ana.bravo@ifrtd.org

Enquiries by post & fax to:
Mobility and Health Programme
IFRTD Secretariat, 113 Spitfire Studios, 63-71 Collier Street
London, N1 9BE, United Kingdom
Fax: +44 (0) 207 713 8290