Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases
Research Initiative Aims to Reduce Impact of Hypertension Around the World
The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), composed of leading international public health research organizations, is coordinating a consortium of research projects on hypertension prevention and control in 15 low- and middle-income countries. Each research project is conducted through a partnership between investigators in a developed country institution and investigators and institutions in a low- and middle-income country. The projects are funded by four of the GACD members, with an investment of more than $21 million over the next 3 to 5 years.
Four member organizations of the GACD announced that they will fund research projects on hypertension (high blood pressure) prevention and control in 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). At the October 2010 Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) scientific and board meeting in Beijing, GACD members agreed to release a Request for Applications with a focus on hypertension.
Subsequently, on June 11, 2012, the NHLBI provided funding for the following four research projects:
- Task shifting and blood pressure control in Ghana: A cluster- randomized trial
- Comprehensive approach for hypertension prevention and control in Argentina
- Launching a salt substitute to reduce blood pressure at the population level in Peru
- Optimizing linkage and retention to hypertension care in rural Kenya
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) provided funding for the following research project:
Additional information on the GACD as well as this landmark initiative is available on the GACD website.
NHLBI Deputy Director Dr. Susan B. Shurin Named Chair of the GACD for 2011-2013
Dr. Susan Shurin with Dr. Xuetao Cao (left) and Dr. Abdallah Daar (center) at the GACD meeting in Canberra, Australia. Photo credit NHMRC.
At the November 2011 meeting of the GACD in Canberra, Australia, Dr. Susan Shurin was elected the Chair of the GACD. This is a two year term (2011-2013). As part of this role, Dr. Shurin will work closely with her predecessor, Dr. Abdallah Daar and her planned successor, Dr. Xuetao Cao. During her term, the GACD plans to establish working groups to focus on disease areas, engage other NIH institutes, and oversee the first GACD RFA, Reducing the Impact of Hypertension in Low and Middle Income Countries."
Director’s Corner messages:
- Updates in global health activities; Dr. Shurin named chair of Global Alliance for Chronic Disease
- Meeting of the Global Alliance For Chronic Disease in Beijing, China - Travel Report to the Institute
Celina Gorre Selected as Executive Director of the GACD Secretariat
In January 2012, the GACD Secretariat was established and Ms. Celina Gorre was selected as the executive director. Ms. Gorre plays a key role in the GACD as it expands its membership and extends its research priorities, while working closely with Dr. Shurin and the other member organizations of the GACD. The University College London Institute for Global Health was selected to host the GACD Secretariat.
To learn more about the GACD, please visit www.ga-cd.org . See also:
- Powerful World Alliance of Health Researchers Announces Landmark Pact on Priorities In Fight Against Humanity’s Most Fatal Diseases , Nov. 16, 2009
- Six of the World’s Foremost Health Research Agencies Form Alliance to Curb Humanity’s Most Fatal Diseases , June 15, 2009.
- Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases News Coverage
See also GACD Fact Sheet
Last Updated: August 27, 2012