Page 71 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME
Overview of the Research Unit
The strategic purpose of the Unit is to conduct
research on key health issues affecting child and
adolescent health in South Africa, Africa, and globally.
The Unit focuses on areas of major public health
importance, including pneumonia, tuberculosis
(TB), HIV-associated illnesses, Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV), and the developmental origins of health,
encompassing growth, respiratory, neurocognitive,
mental, and cardiometabolic health.
Digital Stethoscope for Lung Sounds.
SA M R C A N N U A L R EP O R T 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6 69
Child and Adolescent Lung
Health Research Unit
UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Heather Zar
heather.zar@uct.ac.za
The overall aim is to develop improved diagnostic,
preventive, and treatment strategies to strengthen
child health outcomes. Research studies investigate
the epidemiology, aetiology, and risk factors
influencing child health; the underlying mechanisms
of disease development; improved diagnostic
approaches; and the long-term impact of early-
life exposures on health. A flagship initiative is the
Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), a unique
birth cohort study investigating early-life exposures,
child health, and long-term outcomes.
The Unit promotes interdisciplinary research through
an extensive network of international, African, and
local collaborations, while also supporting significant
capacity development through the training of
healthcare professionals and the establishment
of research infrastructure. Its work has generated
important new knowledge in the fields of childhood
pneumonia, RSV, TB, HIV, and the developmental
origins and trajectories of health from birth.
The Unit operates a hub-and-spoke research model,
with a core centre at Red Cross War Memorial
Children's Hospital and satellite research platforms.
This model supports broad access to research
participation, efficient utilisation of infrastructure,
and sustained capacity development in high-burden
and under-resourced settings. Research findings
are translated into national and international
policy and practice through active engagement
with the Department of Health, the World Health
Organization (WHO), national advisory bodies, and
global respiratory and child health networks.