Saying “Kathmandu”, the name of the capital city of Nepal, just sounds like it would be an exotic and exciting place. While the city’s vast number of attractions include ancient and stunning architectural marvels, there are growing issues with outdoor air pollution and resulting illness affecting its residents.
To study some of the population health issues, UVA’s Rajesh Balkrishnan, PhD, Professor of Public Health Sciences and a team of students from UVA traveled to Nepal early this summer. Supported by UVA’s Center for Global Health Equity, the team conducted a survey of two-wheeler riders in Kathmandu City on the effects of severe outdoor air pollution on quality of life and health outcomes. UVA students were Sagar Sapkota (2024 graduate, UVA School of Engineering), Owen Selden (incoming 4th year), Chloe Kline (2024 graduate & incoming MPH student), Ashley Ferguson and Je Young Yoo (both incoming 2nd year Global Health aspirants).
The Research Himalaya Foundation (Dr. Dinesh Bhuju, Dr. Nani Sujakhu, and Mr. Bishnu Aryal) hosted the team. Mr. Aryal gave the students a fulfilling research experience while also hosting the 30th annual conference of the International Society of Sustainable Research and Development. At the conference, UVA student Owen Selden gave a well-received presentation on the impacts of outdoor air pollution. While gaining substantive research experience, the students also learned about health care in Nepal.
Dr. Balkrishnan exclaimed that the highlight of his trip was meeting Dr. Meghnath
Dhimal, Director of Research, Nepal Health Research Council (Nepal’s equivalent of the NIH), a passionate and well-regarded environmental health researcher with his research associate Mr. Ankit Acharya. Dr. Dhimal gave full support for the team’s research and expressed interest in collaborating on the UVA Nepal Environmental Health Resilience Research Initiative. Dr. Balkrishnan plans to continue this important work with Dr. Dhimal on a new proposal to UVA’s Environmental Resilience Institute in 2025.
Concerning their efforts in Nepal, Dr. Balkrishnan said, “We have miles to go and a lot of work to do to improve the lives of the people of Kathmandu valley whose life has been tremendously affected by severe air pollution and accumulation of solid waste.” He added, “I want to thank each one of you for your unwavering support of this important initiative.”
