Lake Health and Wellbeing is pleased to announce the awarding of seed funding from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) School of Public Health to our long-standing partner, Dr. Fanta Waterman for her project, “A study examining policy frameworks for women’s health in St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and patient perceptions and experience with care.” This funding will support a crucial investigation into women’s health, an area we at Lake Health and Wellbeing are deeply committed to improving.
Dr. Waterman, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Community Health Sciences at UIC, has been a long-standing partner in our mission to advance women’s health in SKN. Our previous work together has significantly contributed to understanding the experiences of women in SKN regarding symptoms, diagnosis, management, and access to care for fibroids. This new study, once ethics approval is obtained from the Ministry of Health, will build on this foundation and aims to further explore and clarify St Kitts and Nevis’ healthcare system’s effectiveness as it relates to women’s health.
In collaboration with Lake Health and Wellbeing, this study will focus on the perspectives of policymakers, healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. It will examine the availability, purpose, and access to women’s health resources and how these factors contribute to successful health access for women. Dr. Waterman’s research is expected to identify areas of opportunity in women’s health policies, frameworks, and resources from both the Ministry of Health’s and the patients’ viewpoints.
Dr. Waterman shared, “Although new to UIC, I’ve been a community health researcher working with organizations in the Caribbean for many years. The need for this type of research has been apparent for some time; however, there are challenges in securing the funding required to generate it. I am grateful to UIC SPH for their support of not just the research questions and their faculty, but of the collaborative, equity-centred approach in which this study will be designed, executed, interpreted, and summarized.”
At Lake Health and Wellbeing, we believe this study will provide invaluable insights into the current gaps and opportunities as it relates to women’s health. By understanding the awareness, perceptions, and access to health resources among women in St Kitts and Nevis, we can better advocate for policy changes and enhancements that will improve health outcomes. This research will also inform our ongoing and future projects, helping to develop more effective health systems and structures not only in St Kitts and Nevis but also across other Caribbean nations.
We congratulate Dr. Waterman on her well-deserved funding and are excited to see the impactful outcomes of her research. Her work will significantly enhance public health strategies in the Caribbean and contribute to a broader understanding of health systems globally. As our Program Director, Abi Begho, remarked, “This collaboration represents a significant step towards achieving our goal of promoting women’s health and highlighting the importance of developing effective women’s health policies in the Caribbean. We are committed to supporting research that brings about meaningful change and improves the health and well-being of our communities.”
We look forward to the continued collaboration with Dr. Waterman and the valuable contributions her research will make to public health.
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