Oladimeji Mudele:  Satellite imagery, AI Tools can Prevent Disease Outbreak in Africa

Dr. Oladimeji Mudele is an expert in remote sensing and public health renowned for the innovation of combining  satellite imagery, geospatial data, and artificial intelligence to connect environmental changes with health outcomes. In this interview with ThisDay, he discusses how   technology can be harnessed to develop early warning systems for disease outbreaks.

How did your background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering shape your current work linking environmental changes to public health outcomes?

Electrical Engineering was a natural progression for me, developing from my fascination for Mathematics and its practical application in problem-solving. My academic journey in Electrical Engineering involved courses in advanced mathematical methods, equipping me with a robust analytical framework. Now, at the intersection of public health and remote sensing, I leverage these foundational skills to harness statistical methods, artificial intelligence, and computer vision techniques — all of which are deeply rooted in mathematical principles — to discern the intricate connections between environmental changes and health outcomes. Trained as an engineer and now dedicated to public health, I employ systems thinking to untangle complex issues, allowing for a more effective problem-solving approach.

How do you use geospatial information, satellite imagery, big data, and statistical methods in your research to connect environmental changes with public health outcomes?

In my research, geospatial information and satellite imagery serve as invaluable tools for observing environmental changes and their impact on public health. These technologies allow us to track climate variables like temperature, vegetation, and water bodies over time, identifying patterns that influence health outcomes.

To manage the vast amount of data collected, I employ big data analytics, integrating satellite data with in-situ public health information. Through this integration and the application of statistical methods, we can uncover correlations and infer causations. For instance, changes in air temperature or vegetation density can signal the risk of heat-related illnesses or vector-borne diseases such as malaria.

Statistical modeling plays a crucial role in my work, helping me identify significant predictors of health outcomes while accounting for confounding factors. By leveraging these tools, we not only understand current health trends but also anticipate future public health risks. This predictive capability is vital for informing policy decisions and developing targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of environmental changes on public health.

What inspired you to focus your doctoral research on creating systems for early warning of disease spread using satellite imagery and geospatial data?

Many parts of the world are already ravaged by infectious diseases influenced by environmental conditions. Growing up in Nigeria exposed me to some of these risks (e.g. Malaria).  With increasing impact of climate change, there will only be more of such disease’s risks in more parts of the world. As a result, there is a need for more people with interdisciplinary skills to support government and public health actors with decision making data and tools. This is what has inspired me to go on this journey.

How do you think early disease warning systems could evolve in Africa, especially in response to environmental health challenges and climate change?

As Earth observation satellite missions increase, with some backed by African governments, I anticipate a surge in high-quality data to evaluate environmental changes and climatic conditions. This influx of data is pivotal for constructing robust early warning systems. Coupled with the growing accessibility to computational resources on the continent, the prospect is for a future where health interventions are increasingly informed by data. Early warning systems will become a cornerstone of health resources planning and allocation. Beyond infrastructure, I’m confident there will be a stronger political commitment to integrate these systems into climate change response strategies, enhancing adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Could you explain the role of artificial intelligence in measuring urban green spaces using satellite images, as developed in your research?

Research indicates that urban green spaces play a crucial role in the physical and mental well-being of city residents. Motivated by these findings, I have developed a novel method for detecting green spaces based on high-resolution satellite imagery. Utilizing an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, my technique categorizes every point of the Earth’s surface into categories such as Tree, Shrub, Grass, Building surface, Water, or Bare soil. AI here is used to achieve the prediction component of this work.  While previous methods existed, my proposed approach resulted in a 5% improvement in accuracy for vegetation classification.

In what ways do you believe your work can contribute to improving global research impact in the field of environmental health and disease prevention?

Early warning systems are already becoming critical components of public health planning. Also, there is a continued need for understanding the causal relationship between climate change and human health. My work contributes new methods (e.g. new causal inference or AI methods), application of established methods on new data from new climate zones of the world, and open-source tools needed for processing these data.

How do you think the transfer of cutting-edge knowledge from developed countries to Africa could benefit public health outcomes and health policy in African countries?

Transferring cutting-edge knowledge from developed countries to Africa holds the potential to transform public health outcomes significantly. Some the ways it can provide such transformation include: capacity building for local public health workers and actors, improved public health surveillance, and transfer of best practices from developed countries, It is important to mention that knowledge transfer is not just about importing expertise; it’s about creating a mutual learning environment where innovative ideas are adapted and evolved to fit the local context, leading to lasting improvements in public health.

Can you share a specific example of how your research has been applied or could be applied to address a public health challenge in Africa?

I am currently part of a consortium at Harvard that is working with the government of Madagascar to develop a climate-smart public health system for the country. So far, we have developed a comprehensive clinic-level database for over 60 health outcomes recorded across about 2700 clinics in the country since 2010. 

This data is unprecedented in Africa and will be used to build early warning systems and understand the links between climate change and health issues like Malaria, Diarrhea, Flu, Anemia, and Malnutrition. The lessons learned in Madagascar will also be applied to similar climate zones in other African countries.

In addition, my work on early warning systems for Dengue virus in Brazil and Argentina have been tailored to suit climates in many regions across Africa., I’ve tailored these models to suit climates akin to many regions across Africa. Consequently, the insights gained from these South American contexts can be invaluable for African nations seeking to bolster the climate resilience of their public health infrastructures. 

As a global health advocate, how do you advocate for the importance of environmental health and climate change mitigation in public health policy discussions?

As a global health advocate, I emphasize the profound interconnectedness between environmental health and public well-being. I underscore the need for climate change mitigation as a critical element of public health policy by presenting evidence-based research that clearly demonstrates the impacts of environmental changes on health outcomes.

In addition, I engage with policymakers, highlighting case studies from my work to illustrate the cost-effectiveness and life-saving effects of proactive environmental policies in preventing disease and promoting health.

What advice would you give to young researchers or students interested in pursuing a similar career path in linking environmental changes to public health outcomes?

For anyone interested in working in the intersection climate change and public health, I recommend that individuals concentrate on honing their problem-solving abilities early on and embrace the rich learning experience that comes with interdisciplinary study. Working in my field requires pieces of knowledge from domains including statistics, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, epidemiology, and climate science, among others. It’s beneficial to specialize in one area within these domains, but also crucial to maintain a competent level of understanding across the full breadth of these subjects. The journey to mastery is gradual, so patience and persistent effort are essential.

How do you manage to balance your research work with your roles as an educator and mentor, especially in the context of knowledge transfer to Africa?

I view mentoring and teaching as essential facets of my life’s purpose. To effectively combine research with educational and mentorship roles, particularly when it comes to transferring knowledge to Africa, I emphasize strategic collaboration with African individuals and institutions. Such partnerships are vital to ensuring that my efforts have a tangible, positive impact on people and organizations within the continent. I advocate for collaboration (as against aid or donations) as a cornerstone of engagement and advise those with interests in Africa to actively seek partnerships with African scientists. This collaborative spirit not only enriches the knowledge base but also fosters mutual growth and understanding.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals or projects in the field of global health advocacy and research, particularly in the context of knowledge transfer and environmental health?

In environmental health, I aim to broaden the scope of my research to encompass additional countries. My efforts have already taken root in Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Nigeria. Recognizing that climate change poses a universal challenge, I am committed to forging alliances with scientists globally. Such collaborations are not only instrumental for tackling environmental issues but also facilitate a natural exchange of knowledge, enriching the scientific community worldwide and empowering us to devise more holistic and impactful solutions to the pressing problem of climate change.

I am expanding my research focus to include the critical issue of air pollution and its impact on health, which I anticipate will become a substantial aspect of my work. Air pollution stands as one of the global challenges that demand innovative approaches for monitoring and analysis. By employing novel satellite image processing techniques and advanced statistical methods, I aim to contribute significantly to the understanding and mitigation of air pollution’s effects on public health. This area not only complements my existing expertise but also holds the potential for substantial public health benefits through the development of targeted interventions and informed policymaking.