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Developing data science solutions to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat in Africa.

About HE²AT

The HEat and HEalth African Transdisciplinary (HE²AT) Center develops innovative data science solutions to address the heat and health (heat-health) impacts of extreme weather eventsUnusual weather, such as very heavy rain, strong storms, or extreme heat. across Africa. This collaborative research centre, funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the DS-I Africa programme, brings together experts from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Zimbabwe, and the USA.

HE²AT focuses on strengthening capacity and developing data science tools that contribute to urban heat resilience strategiesActions that help cities prepare for, respond to, and adapt to extreme heat., helping cities and vulnerable populationsGroups of people who may be more affected by health risks, extreme weather, or other challenges because they need extra support. prepare for the health risks associated with rising temperatures and extreme heat events.

Map of Africa with partner countries highlighted for HE²AT Center research
  • United States of America
  • Zimbabwe
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Côte d'Ivoire
Map graphic showing African countries collaborating within the HE²AT network
  • United States of America
  • Zimbabwe
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Côte d'Ivoire
30 April 2026

NIH Webinar: HE²AT Project Results

An NIH Health and Extreme Weather Webinar highlighted findings from the HE²AT Center project, including AI-based approaches to linking health and weather data, insights into heat-related health impacts across Africa, and opportunities to strengthen heat resilience and public health response.

Read our Impact Stories

See how HE²AT is already making a difference across Africa by transforming data into action.

Read our Blog

Field notes, explainers and updates from the HE²AT Center research team.

Watch our Videos

Short films and recorded talks from the field and from HE²AT events.

Addressing the Health Impacts of a Warming World

Extreme weather events are among the most pressing health threats of the 21st century. Periods of extreme heat are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, leading to significant — though often underappreciated — health impacts, particularly in low-income settingsCommunities or environments where financial resources and access to essential services may be limited.. Vulnerable populations and other at-risk groupsPeople who are more likely to be affected by a health risk, extreme weather, or another challenge. are facing increasing risk, making the need for data-driven solutions more critical than ever.

The steady rise in global temperatures, driven by human activities, has already resulted in serious health outcomes, including increased mortality from heat exposure, cardiovascular issues, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and spikes in infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue. Without significant interventions, the burden on health systems in Africa will continue to grow, underscoring the urgent need for innovative, data-driven approaches to monitor, predict, and address these impacts.

Our Aims

The HE²AT Center works to address these heat-health challenges through three primary goals:

Serve as Regional Hub for Research and Engagement

Act as a central resource for disseminating research, fostering collaboration, and engaging policymakers to shape strategies that enhance African heat-health resilience.

Build a Data Science Ecosystem and Platform

Develop structures to support a comprehensive platform integrating data streams to drive analyses that support an African heat-health research ecosystem.

Advance Knowledge Development and Strengthen Capacity

Generate knowledge to inform responses to critical heat-health issues and enhance the capacity of early-career researchers and organisations across East and West Africa.

Meet Our Partners

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative efforts of our partners.

Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) logo Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) primary logo HE²AT Center official transparent logo Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly primary logo IBM Research Africa full logo CeSHHAR Zimbabwe organisation logo University of Washington logo University of Michigan logo
Funding Acknowledgement

Research was supported by the Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and OD/Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54TW012083. Additional support was provided by the HarmonAIze supplement (3U54TW012083-04S1) and the CHEAQI-MNCH project (U01ES036146). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.