IMA Lecture: Kat Rock - Data-driven modelling to support elimination of African sleeping sickness using cost-effective strategies

Location
Watson Building - Lecture Theatre B, Zoom - registration required
Dates
Tuesday 29 November 2022 (18:30-19:30)
Contact

Registration is required only for online access, please email the IMA. Further information on the IMA website.

For more information please email the organisers.

Dr Kat Rock standing by a river near equipment for monitoring insect levels

Speaker: Kat Rock (University of Warwick)

In this presentation I will highlight how mechanistic modelling and health economic analyses are being used to support the elimination of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT, African sleeping sickness) – targeted for elimination of transmission by 2030. gHAT is a vector-borne infection, transmitted by tsetse in Central and West Africa.

I shall present work of the HAT modelling and economic predictions for policy (HAT MEPP) project, which focuses on using regional, longitudinal human case data to parameterise location-specific models and provide tailored recommendations for strategies aimed at elimination. I will overview how data from other sources – including tsetse monitoring and cost collection – has contributed to these analyses and impacted our recommendations for policymakers. During the presentation I will demonstrate the HAT MEPP graphical user interface that was developed in conjunction with national programmes to support dissemination of modelling results in an accessible way for non-modellers.

Finally I will discuss the challenges of attempting to select cost-effective strategies for infections targeted for elimination.

(Parking details: Parking in North East multi-storey car park is free after 18:00. Access is via Pritchatts Road, use postcode B15 2SA for satnavs.)