How Osafu’s Research on Geographic Health Disparities is Advancing Health Policies

By Omolabake Fasogbon

In today’s interconnected world, understanding “where” is as crucial as “what” and “why” in addressing challenges like disease outbreaks or other serious public health concerns. Geographic health disparities reveal how location impacts access to healthcare, clean water, and healthy food, influencing health outcomes. For instance, rural areas may lack hospitals, while cities face pollution.

Dr. Osafu Augustine Egbon, a distinguished Nigerian scientist, exemplifies the importance of spatial analysis in studying geographical health disparities. Spatial analysis is a way of studying how things are connected or distributed across different locations. It helps us understand patterns, like where diseases are spreading, or which areas lack hospitals. This information can then be used to take specific actions, like sending more doctors to the areas that need them most, using resources wisely, and making smart decisions based on facts from research studies. 

Dr. Egbon obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Statistics at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria in 2014 and 2018 respectively, and obtained his doctoral degree in Statistics at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. As a trained statistician and researcher, Dr. Egbon’s work in spatial analysis has made a notable contribution to uncovering the critical geographical health disparities in developing countries, with a particular focus on children’s health in Nigeria. His research combines advanced statistical modeling and spatial analysis to map the geographical patterns of public health issues like malaria, anemia, malnutrition, and the resulting child’ mortality and determine the factors that drive this prevalence across the country.

Dr. Osafu Augustine Egbon’s work has brought new clarity to the driving factors of health inequities among children in Nigeria. His studies highlight how environmental and socioeconomic factors contribute to geographical disparities in disease prevalence and outcomes. In one of his studies, published in Statistics in Bioscience journal, he uncovered the impact of carbon dioxide levels on the geographical disparities of malnutrition among under-age five children in Nigeria, demonstrating how environmental conditions exacerbate health malnutrition. In another study, his research on child mortality, published in the BMC Public Health journal, identified maternal age and birth weight as key risk drivers of under-age five mortality, concluding that children whose mother’s age is below 24 and above 44 years,  whose birth weight is below 2.5kg and above 4.5 kg, and reside in the northern part of Nigeria  are significantly more  at risk of mortality compared with other children.  In a separate work, Dr. Egbon used spatial analysis to quantify the joint spatial relationship between malaria and anemia. His work not only quantified the impact of malaria on anemia severity but also identified high-risk areas. While these research findings provide evidence-based information for actionable public health policies to mitigate the prevalence of child mortality, they also lay the foundation for more integrated approaches to addressing diseases in resource-limited settings.

Dr. Egbon consistently collaborates with fellow research scholars in the field in Nigeria and foreign countries. He shared an insight into the motivation behind his research, emphasizing his commitment to addressing gaps in healthcare and policies and advancing solutions for mothers and children. “My passion lies in addressing public health gaps and developing sustainable interventions to reduce health issues among mothers and children, especially amid emerging and re-emerging diseases,” he explained. Dr. Egbon also highlighted the potential for transformative research within local borders, and his dedication to training younger scientists. “I am confident that by utilizing the local resources available, and through adequate training of scientists in spatial statistical analysis methodologies, we can make substantial progress in pushing the boundaries and attaining innovative and sustainable interventions”. 

Dr. Egbon’s collaborative projects have extended beyond Nigeria to other developing nations such as Ethiopia. His studies on child malnutrition in these regions have revealed critical patterns of stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence, alongside the socioeconomic and environmental drivers of these conditions. These findings provide international organizations and governments with evidence-based knowledge for designing more effective and sustainable programs and health policies.

With over seven years of experience in mapping geographical health disparities using advanced statistical modeling methods, Dr. Egbon has established himself as an outstanding researcher with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights to empower policymakers and healthcare professionals to make evidence-based decisions. His dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration and his contributions to analyzing geographical disparities have made a significant impact on public health research and practice in Nigeria. Over the course of four years, Dr. Egbon has authored over 13 scientific articles in leading peer-reviewed international journals and has presented his work at various scientific conferences in various countries, with a primary research focus on mapping the geographical and temporal patterns of the prevalence of critical health outcomes like undernutrition, acute respiratory infections, malaria, fever, and diarrhea among under-five children. He stands out on scientific research networking platforms like ResearchGate and Google Scholars. 

Dr. Egbon opined that spatial analysis is an essential tool for understanding complex geographical patterns, and by mapping geographical health disparities and identifying vulnerable populations, we can provide a blueprint for addressing inequities at their root. These efforts not only improve individual health outcomes but also strengthen healthcare systems in underserved communities.

Dr. Egbon has significantly advanced Nigeria’s global research reputation through his contributions, including active participation in scientific conferences, and peer reviewing for international journals. Additionally, Dr. Egbon’s mentorship of young scientists and training of interns from Nigerian universities has greatly strengthened the nation’s research community.
Through his work, Dr. Osafu Augustine Egbon reminds us that understanding the “where” is essential to solving the “what” and “why” of today’s most pressing challenges. His contributions continue to offer hope for a world where every person, regardless of location, has the opportunity to thrive.