MEIRU - Additional funds for NCD studies (360G-Wellcome-098610_B_12_A)

Building on 30-years of research in Malawi, we will conduct population-based epidemiological studies with integrated laboratory and genomic analysis. Our aim is to generate policy-relevant evidence for the region. We will: 1. Determine the burden, the risk factors and the barriers to accessing care for major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in rural and urban settings. 2. Design intervention studies to evaluate different strategies for controlling NCDs. 3. Understand patterns of transmi ssion and the factors associated with virulence of M.tuberculosis in Karonga in a setting of unusually well implemented routine tuberculosis control in order to contribute knowledge towards the goal of tuberculosis elimination. 4. Determine the long-term impacts of antiretroviral therapy on mortality, reproductive health and family welfare in the rural population and investigate changes in treatment strategies that will maximise population level benefits. 5. Evaluate the impact of Malawi's newly introduced HIV test-and-treat strategy for pregnant women on retention in care and on mother-to-child HIV transmission in real-life urban and rural African settings. 6. Develop Malawian research capacity in epidemiology, medical statistics and demography. 7. Strengthen links with the Malawi Ministry of Health and the College of Medicine and form collaborations with public health institutions in the region