Institute for Life Course Health Research
@ilchresearch.bsky.social
Improving health and wellbeing for women, caregivers, children and adolescents through evidence. The ILCHR is housed within the Department of Global Health, in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
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Introducing the ILCHR
YouTube video by Institute for Life Course Health Research
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For those that are new here, at the #ILCHR, we explore the intersection of health, environment, and society to pave the way for a healthier future. Follow along for updates on our work in South Africa and beyond! #LifeCourseHealthResearch youtu.be/16vqwIiVWls
Last Friday, some of our Masiphuhlisane Research Centre colleagues visited three pre-schools in Khayelitsha to drop off toys and clothes from a recent drive. Thank you for representing us on Mandela Day 2025!
July 23, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Last Friday, some of our Masiphuhlisane Research Centre colleagues visited three pre-schools in Khayelitsha to drop off toys and clothes from a recent drive. Thank you for representing us on Mandela Day 2025!
In this publication drawn from her PhD, our Zara Trafford reflects on the value of emotions, empathy, and relationship-building in resource-constrained systems for distibuting disability-related social assistance. For more: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
July 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In this publication drawn from her PhD, our Zara Trafford reflects on the value of emotions, empathy, and relationship-building in resource-constrained systems for distibuting disability-related social assistance. For more: doi.org/10.1016/j.so...
Co-authored by our Marguerite Marlow, this study assessed community scales of neighbourhood cohesion for measurement invariance, using Evidence for Better Lives data from eight low- and middle-income countries. See the full article here: www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
July 10, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Co-authored by our Marguerite Marlow, this study assessed community scales of neighbourhood cohesion for measurement invariance, using Evidence for Better Lives data from eight low- and middle-income countries. See the full article here: www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22...
Our Yeukai Chideya recently presented at the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies conference in Tbilisi, Georgia. Her poster focused on caregiver and child accounts of intentional injuries in a low-resource setting.
July 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Our Yeukai Chideya recently presented at the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies conference in Tbilisi, Georgia. Her poster focused on caregiver and child accounts of intentional injuries in a low-resource setting.
In her first PhD paper, our Ruth Useh explores through a scoping review how decision-makers think about disability—what shapes their choices, what evidence they use, and how policies are formed. A must-read for anyone working at the intersection of disability and policy. doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Sources of evidence, pathways, and processes to support disability-inclusive decision-making in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review
Widespread failure to sufficiently account for disability in policies and programming across sectors limits the inclusion of people with disabilities in global health and development strategies. These...
doi.org
July 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
In her first PhD paper, our Ruth Useh explores through a scoping review how decision-makers think about disability—what shapes their choices, what evidence they use, and how policies are formed. A must-read for anyone working at the intersection of disability and policy. doi.org/10.1371/jour...
We're proud to share that our Mark Tomlinson and Melissa Bradshaw contributed to the research and priority-setting exercise featured in the WHO Commission on Social Connection’s report. We’re proud to see our Institute contributing to this meaningful global conversation. www.who.int/groups/commi...
From loneliness to social connection - charting a path to healthier societies - report of the WHO Commission on Social Connection
This landmark report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection highlights that social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with serious but under-recognized impacts on health, well-being, and s...
www.who.int
July 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
We're proud to share that our Mark Tomlinson and Melissa Bradshaw contributed to the research and priority-setting exercise featured in the WHO Commission on Social Connection’s report. We’re proud to see our Institute contributing to this meaningful global conversation. www.who.int/groups/commi...
As #YouthMonth ends, we highlight young moms. The Masana Young Moms Project in Eastern Cape, South Africa, explores the journeys of girls and women aged 16-20 as they become mothers. They are defined by their strength, choices, and dreams. With support, they rise and lead change. #VoicesOfResilience
June 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
As #YouthMonth ends, we highlight young moms. The Masana Young Moms Project in Eastern Cape, South Africa, explores the journeys of girls and women aged 16-20 as they become mothers. They are defined by their strength, choices, and dreams. With support, they rise and lead change. #VoicesOfResilience
PTSD Awareness Day
In our Sinethemba Study (w University of Bath), 37% of 245 children (ages 8–16) in Khayelitsha met criteria for probable PTSD. After 3 months, 26% still met the criteria; 6 months after first interview, 22% still did. Trauma lasts. Support helps. @TheSADAG offers free counselling.
In our Sinethemba Study (w University of Bath), 37% of 245 children (ages 8–16) in Khayelitsha met criteria for probable PTSD. After 3 months, 26% still met the criteria; 6 months after first interview, 22% still did. Trauma lasts. Support helps. @TheSADAG offers free counselling.
June 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
PTSD Awareness Day
In our Sinethemba Study (w University of Bath), 37% of 245 children (ages 8–16) in Khayelitsha met criteria for probable PTSD. After 3 months, 26% still met the criteria; 6 months after first interview, 22% still did. Trauma lasts. Support helps. @TheSADAG offers free counselling.
In our Sinethemba Study (w University of Bath), 37% of 245 children (ages 8–16) in Khayelitsha met criteria for probable PTSD. After 3 months, 26% still met the criteria; 6 months after first interview, 22% still did. Trauma lasts. Support helps. @TheSADAG offers free counselling.
In her recent op-ed published in the Mail & Guardian, our Yeukai Chideya, invite us to reflect on how we, as individuals and communities, can stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
June 23, 2025 at 8:41 AM
In her recent op-ed published in the Mail & Guardian, our Yeukai Chideya, invite us to reflect on how we, as individuals and communities, can stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
In her recent op-ed commemorating Youth Day, our Stefani du Toit reflects on the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa and its impact on mental health. Stefani urges us to think more deeply about how to support these young people with care and compassion. Read more: tinyurl.com/592kracr
June 19, 2025 at 10:17 AM
In her recent op-ed commemorating Youth Day, our Stefani du Toit reflects on the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa and its impact on mental health. Stefani urges us to think more deeply about how to support these young people with care and compassion. Read more: tinyurl.com/592kracr
Our Marguerite Marlow & Mark Tomlinson visited Tanzania to support a workshop with government ministries focused on promoting nurturing care in health facilities. They were joined by various partners including @unicef.org, @who.int, TECDEN & @egpaf.bsky.social
June 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Our Marguerite Marlow & Mark Tomlinson visited Tanzania to support a workshop with government ministries focused on promoting nurturing care in health facilities. They were joined by various partners including @unicef.org, @who.int, TECDEN & @egpaf.bsky.social
Play is essential for every child’s development and well-being. We’re delighted to share a new UNICEF course, “Play Matters: Advocating for a World of Play”. Our Mark Tomlinson contributed to this online course. More information is available here: agora.unicef.org/course/info....
June 13, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Play is essential for every child’s development and well-being. We’re delighted to share a new UNICEF course, “Play Matters: Advocating for a World of Play”. Our Mark Tomlinson contributed to this online course. More information is available here: agora.unicef.org/course/info....
Our Tatenda Mawoyo participated in the Local Innovation for Global Application colloquium hosted by Queen’s University Belfast Innovation Zones in Belfast. He reflected on the value of authentic researcher-community collaboration, community-led research priorities, and the importance of patience.
June 11, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Our Tatenda Mawoyo participated in the Local Innovation for Global Application colloquium hosted by Queen’s University Belfast Innovation Zones in Belfast. He reflected on the value of authentic researcher-community collaboration, community-led research priorities, and the importance of patience.
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Nomabhaso Mantyi!
June 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Nomabhaso Mantyi!
Our Stefani Du Toit visited Serbia to support the World Bank’s Read@Home initiative. Our Marguerite Marlow also works on this project, which aims to ensure that children in communities around the world have access to high-quality reading materials.
June 6, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Our Stefani Du Toit visited Serbia to support the World Bank’s Read@Home initiative. Our Marguerite Marlow also works on this project, which aims to ensure that children in communities around the world have access to high-quality reading materials.
In this op-ed, our Kelly Gemmell reflects on parents' profound influence on child development: tinyurl.com/yew2mx3m Caregivers need the time and resources to look after themselves in order to provide nurturing care for their children.
June 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
In this op-ed, our Kelly Gemmell reflects on parents' profound influence on child development: tinyurl.com/yew2mx3m Caregivers need the time and resources to look after themselves in order to provide nurturing care for their children.
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Athenkhosi Mangele, from our Masiphuhlisane Centre!
June 2, 2025 at 6:45 AM
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Athenkhosi Mangele, from our Masiphuhlisane Centre!
In her opinion piece, our Yeukai Chideya challenges us to reflect on the 2025 Africa Day theme by considering how reparations can meaningfully address the needs of children who have been victims of violence in conflict areas. mg.co.za/thought-lead...
May 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
In her opinion piece, our Yeukai Chideya challenges us to reflect on the 2025 Africa Day theme by considering how reparations can meaningfully address the needs of children who have been victims of violence in conflict areas. mg.co.za/thought-lead...
In this op-ed, our Ruth Useh reflects on this year's Africa Day theme of 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations’. To achieve real inclusive justice, access for people with disabilities must improve. This will transform lives and societies: tinyurl.com/4ubxex2u%22
May 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
In this op-ed, our Ruth Useh reflects on this year's Africa Day theme of 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations’. To achieve real inclusive justice, access for people with disabilities must improve. This will transform lives and societies: tinyurl.com/4ubxex2u%22
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Moroesi Makhetha!
May 26, 2025 at 9:04 AM
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Moroesi Makhetha!
Join our Yeukai Chideya at this year’s Africa Day event, where she will be sharing findings regarding health system responses to child intentional injury in South Africa. Register for the event on Tuesday 27 May, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus from 11:30-14:00: tinyurl.com/ydwj4am3
May 23, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Join our Yeukai Chideya at this year’s Africa Day event, where she will be sharing findings regarding health system responses to child intentional injury in South Africa. Register for the event on Tuesday 27 May, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus from 11:30-14:00: tinyurl.com/ydwj4am3
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Christina Laurenzi!
May 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Christina Laurenzi!
At last week's SU Ukwanda Division of Rural Health conference, our Andisiwe Bovu presented findings from his analysis of a prospective cohort study. This study is exploring adverse birth outcomes in infants who are HIV-exposed but uninfected with those who are HIV-unexposed and uninfected.
May 19, 2025 at 9:51 AM
At last week's SU Ukwanda Division of Rural Health conference, our Andisiwe Bovu presented findings from his analysis of a prospective cohort study. This study is exploring adverse birth outcomes in infants who are HIV-exposed but uninfected with those who are HIV-unexposed and uninfected.
In partnership with the University of Bath, we invite you to the Project Kwakhanya Artwork Exhibit on 4 June 2025, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. Please see attached image for details, and register for the lunchtime presentation here: tinyurl.com/cjv4y3ke
May 15, 2025 at 7:08 AM
In partnership with the University of Bath, we invite you to the Project Kwakhanya Artwork Exhibit on 4 June 2025, the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. Please see attached image for details, and register for the lunchtime presentation here: tinyurl.com/cjv4y3ke
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Zena Jacobs!
May 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
In our #MeetTheILCHR series, we spotlight a different team member each week. Today we are introducing Zena Jacobs!