International study with Fiocruz participation maps health data science skills in Global South countries
A paper led by researchers from Health Data Research UK (United Kingdom), Imperial College London (United Kingdom), Fiocruz (Brazil) in partnership with The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (TGHN LAC), and icddr,b (Bangladesh), published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health and entitled “Exploring the landscape of essential health data science skills and research challenges: a survey of stakeholders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean”, involved 262 professionals from 54 countries across the Global South.
The aim of the study was to identify the essential skills and main challenges in health data science in low- and middle-income countries.
Health data science competencies
The authors identified five key areas of competency in health data science: research planning, data management and analysis, dissemination of results, and community engagement. The article also highlighted the importance of cross-cutting skills such as critical thinking, ethics, and scientific communication.
Barriers and solutions
According to the authors, the main obstacles faced by professionals in the field include lack of funding, poor infrastructure, limited mentorship opportunities, and difficulties in accessing data.
To address these challenges, the researchers suggested the development of an international health data science curriculum that can be tailored to local contexts.
📄 Read the full article “Exploring the landscape of essential health data science skills and research challenges: a survey of stakeholders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean" here.