In January 2017,the Xi’an Jiaotong University Global Health Institute (XJTU-GHI) launchedthe “New Silk Road Global Health Study (NSRGHS)” Project. The project is supported partially by a three-year research grant from the US-basedChina Medical Board(CMB) and by internal funds. Multiple domestic and international collaborators are involved in the project.
Project leadership
Principal investigator (PI): Dr. Youfa Wang MD. PhD. MS., Dean of GHI
Co-PIs: Drs. Hong Yan (Vice President of Xi’an Jiaotong University), Yaling Zhao and Zhongliang Zhou and Yu Fang
The NSRGHS Project aims
1. Examine the disease burden, health care facilities and resources of the countries along the New Silk Road, and understand their health needs
2. Study health policy and make related recommendations for the region
3. Develop health promotion programs to promote public health
4. Promote research infrastructure & capacity building and train young scholars and health professionals
5. Provide a platform to support international collaboration on global health
6. Help Chinese universities, governments and non-governmental institutions gain more experience in the global health field
Background and good opportunities
1. Rapid development of global health programs in China:China has been increasing its investment on public health domestically and in overseas rapidly in recent years. China is playing an increasingly important role in health-related issues worldwide.
2. “One Belt, One Road” initiative:TheNSRGHSprogram will be taking advantage of the unique good opportunities brought from China’s ambitious national “One Belt, One Road” initiative and “Healthy China 2030” campaign. TheNSRGHSproject will contribute to the international collaboration regarding health research and promotion among countries along the “One Belt, One Road” (66 countries at the moment).
3. “Universities Alliance of the Silk Road”:In May 2015, XJTU led and established the Universities Alliance of the New Silk Road (UANSR), which at present includes about 140 universities from about 40 countries and regions.
4. “Western China Science & Technology Innovation Harbor”: It is being built since 2016 and will be completed by 2018. It located about 25 km south to Xi’an. The GHI will be relocated to the Harbor in 2018, which will provide outstanding support for its projects including the NSRGHS Project.
Project output and contributions (e.g., examples)
1. Identify key health problems and develop solutions and health promotion programs
2. Develop a related data-sharing center
3. Publish high-quality research papers
4. Build long-term cooperation with countries and institutions along the new Silk Road
5. Training needed researchers and health professionals for related countries
Regarding the Silk Road Project, please contact:
Yaling Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.
Project Manager and Co-PI
Global Health Institute,Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yanta West Road 76, 710061 Xi’an，Shaanxi, China
zhaoyl666@xjtu.edu.cn
