Interdisciplinary insights into public health challenges: A synthesis of research presented at the 2025 African Voices for Research Virtual Conference

TL;DR

The paper summarizes research from a conference on how factors like access to care, gender equity, and technology influence health outcomes in Africa.

Contribution

It provides a synthesis of interdisciplinary approaches to public health challenges in Africa, emphasizing innovation and equity.

Findings

Healthcare access, education, and environmental justice intersect in advancing health goals.

Gender disparities are significant, especially for rural women facing exclusion and violence.

AI and diagnostic tools like GeneXpert show promise in improving health-system resilience.

Abstract

Public health challenges in Africa stem from a complex interplay of individual, environmental, socio-cultural, and health-system factors, requiring integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to enhance healthcare systems.

This study synthesised evidence from interdisciplinary presentations at the 2025 African Voices for Research Virtual Conference to address public health challenges.

The study was based on abstracts presented in sessions of the 2025 African Voices for Research Virtual Conference.

An editorial narrative synthesis of all submitted abstracts was conducted. ChatGPT(OpenAI), supported the identification of patterns and themes, which were validated by the research team. Themes were grouped into broader categories reflecting major public health issues and potential solutions.

The study showed how healthcare access, education, environmental justice, gender equity and innovation intersect in advancing Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Using Social Determinants of Health and One Health perspectives, the findings showed how infrastructural gaps, financial barriers and limited health literacy drive unequal health outcomes. Case studies on maternal health and environmental exposures highlighted the influence of socio-economic inequality and structural violence on population well-being. Gender disparities were prominent, especially among rural women facing political exclusion, violence and restricted access to care. Innovation in healthcare delivery, especially AI-enabled tools and diagnostic platforms such as GeneXpert, was recognised for its potential to strengthen health-system resilience.

This study offers an overview of emerging research themes from the conference and provides insight into future research priorities.

This research highlights how healthcare access, environmental and gender inequities, and technological innovation shape population health across Africa.

Figures