R4GH is proud to introduce Ms. Karen Helmy Ademun who was awarded the R4GH small research grant in 2025 for her project entitled:
“Assessing the Impact of Floods on Access to Diabetes Treatment in Rural Uganda: A Case-Control Study of Kasese District”
Climate change is increasingly straining health systems, especially in low-income, flood-prone settings where chronic disease management becomes highly vulnerable during disasters. In Uganda’s Kasese District, flooding frequently damages infrastructure and disrupts access to essential services for people with diabetes, a condition requiring continuous, long-term care.
This research project examines how floods affect diabetes care delivery in Kasese, focusing on both structural and systemic disruptions. Using a mixed-methods design, it will collect data from 217 survey respondents and conduct at least 20 in-depth interviews. Insights will guide strategies for strengthening resilient health systems that can sustain chronic disease management amid climate-related shocks.
Karen holds a background in Environmental Sciences and is pursuing an MSc in Climate Change and Development at Makerere University. She is an emerging researcher passionate about the nexus of climate change, health systems, and community resilience. Her contributions include studies on environmental hazards and health service access, such as an exploratory project on the Kiteezi Landfill disaster.
