Involved in geo-informatics, data governance, and management for the GRT-INSPIRED site.
The South African Population Research Infrastructure Network has developed a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), which is a standardised, field-based information system and research platform, with prospective data routinely collected from entire populations at both individual and household levels, in impoverished and developmentally-constrained communities, both rural and urban.
The Gauteng research Triangle (GTR), an initiative taken by the three VC’s of UP, Wits and UJ to jointly create a trans-disciplinary research platform, was successful in it’s bid to manage the Gauteng project, called ‘GRT – INSPIRED: The Gauteng Research Triangle INitiative for the Study of Population, Infrastructure and Regional Economic Development’. Key demographic and health indicators are monitored for a period of 20+ years and more, to inform national policies and program strategies of the Departments of Health, Social Development, Home Affairs, Basic Education, and others. A representative sample of households will participate in the surveys, 50 000 residing in Hillbrow and Joubertpark (site with over-populated high-rise buildings), Johannesburg, and 50 000 residing in Melusi (an informal settlement) and Atteridgeville (a site with formal housing and backyard shacks), Tshwane.