International Research: Health

International Health

Westat has been a key player in global health research for more than 30 years, and our portfolio includes projects in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Our mission is to collect and analyze information to advance the health and well-being of people worldwide.

Capabilities

Westat has supported a diverse portfolio of international studies:

Epidemiologic studies**
Clinical trials
Surveillance**
Surveys
Behavior change interventions
Monitoring and evaluation**

Areas of Research

HIV/AIDS
Westat has worked with international HIV/AIDS research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, focusing on prevention, including of mother-to-child transmission, and the efficacy of therapies and treatment. Pediatric and adolescent populations are of special interest. Our experience includes supporting the following:
- A randomized, controlled study of antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies comparing monitoring care provided by an HIV-trained primary health care nurse or by a medical doctor supported by adherence counselors;
- Studies of adherence to HIV medications among adolescent populations;
- Studies of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and the United States;
- HIV and syphilis surveillance in Peru and Ecuador;
- A behavioral intervention to reduce stigma associated with HIV infection in Anhui Province, China; and
- Monitoring of male circumcision trials to reduce HIV incidence in Kenya and Uganda.
.... more about HIV/AIDS Research**

TB and Other Infectious Diseases
Westat performs epidemiologic studies, clinical trials of vaccines and treatment, surveillance, and health communication studies addressing tuberculosis (TB), malaria, avian influenza, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and major childhood communicable diseases. Our experience includes the following:
- A clinical trial of a new therapy to treat TB in South Africa, Uganda, Brazil, Spain, and the United States. This project is a collaboration between a pharmaceutical company, the TB Alliance, and the CDC.
- Studies of co-administration of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and TB treatment in South Africa and Cambodia, and of the impact of early administration of ART on survival rates of HIV/TB co-infected patients in Haiti.
- A prospective longitudinal study of interactions between HIV and malaria in Ugandan children.
- Studies at the human-animal interface for avian influenza in Thailand, including GIS tracking and testing of migratory birds, investigations of new cases of documented human infection, and viral genotyping to investigate transmission and pathogenicity of viral variants.
.... more about TB and Other Infectious Diseases Research**

STDs (including Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer)
Westat’s research on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) focuses on vaccine, prevention, and management trials. It also includes trials of microbicides, as well as etiologic and natural history studies of cervical cancer. Our experience includes support for the following:
- A phase III clinical trial of a human papillomavirus vaccine in Costa Rica;
- A study of the etiologic factors associated with cervical cancer in Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama, including investigations of medical, marital, sexual, reproductive, hormonal, and dietary variables;
- A cross-sectional survey of commercial sex workers in Yunan Province, China, examining prevalence of STDs, HIV, and drug use; and
- A clinical trial of a combination of a diaphragm and microbicide to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases among women at high risk of contracting STDs in Madagascar.

Nutrition
Westat’s leadership in developing methodologies, conducting nutrition assessments, and implementing and evaluating interventions in the United States has extended to international programs. Our experience includes the following:
- Two nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China, with a total of 33,000 participants. Individuals were monitored for at least 7 years to assess the effect of taking daily multivitamins and multiminerals;
- Adapting standardized dietary assessment instruments and nutrition databases to address Hispanic diets and foods;
- A study of the relationship between dietary intake and cancer in India;
- Advice to the British Office of National Statistics on how to improve its National Diet and Nutrition Survey; and
- A randomized intervention trial to evaluate the effect of increased-caloric-density infant formula on growth and nutrition status of HIV-infected and -uninfected infants in Brazil and the Bahamas.

For more information about the International Research Area, please send us a message.

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