The University of Belize School of Medicine
Research Agenda
Harmonized with Government of Belize’s Health Statistics, the United Nations' Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) and Caribbean and Central American Health Research Priorities
Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
Objective: To reduce the prevalence and impact of NCDs such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and
hypertension.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
Regional Relevance: NCDs are a significant health burden in Belize, the Caribbean and Central
America, necessitating focused research on prevention and management strategies.
Research Areas:
Epidemiology of NCDs in Belize and the wider region.
Effective intervention strategies for prevention and management.
Impact of lifestyle and dietary factors on NCDs.
Development of community-based programs to reduce NCD risk factors.
Communicable Diseases
Objective: To control and prevent communicable diseases, including vector-borne diseases and
sexually transmitted infections.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
Regional Relevance: Belize, the Caribbean and Central America face challenges with vector-borne
diseases such as dengue, Zika, and malaria, as well as HIV/AIDS.
Research Areas:
Surveillance and control of dengue, malaria, and Zika virus.
Strategies to reduce HIV transmission and improve treatment outcomes.
Evaluation of vaccination programs and their effectiveness.
Understanding the dynamics of COVID-19 and other emerging infections.
Maternal and Child Health
Objective: To improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
Regional Relevance: Improving maternal and child health is a key priority in the Caribbean and
Central America, with ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Research Areas:
Strategies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
Impact of prenatal care programs on maternal and child health.
Breastfeeding practices and their health outcomes.
Nutritional interventions for children under five.
Mental Health
Objective: To address the growing burden of mental health issues.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
Regional Relevance: Mental health is an emerging priority in the Caribbean and Central America, with
increasing recognition of the need for improved mental health services.
Research Areas:
Prevalence and risk factors of mental health disorders.
Effectiveness of mental health interventions and programs.
Integration of mental health services into primary healthcare.
Stigma and barriers to mental health care.
Hospital Medicine in Under Resourced Settings
Objective: To improve the quality of care in under-resourced hospital settings.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
Regional Relevance: Many hospitals in the Caribbean and Central America operate with limited
resources, making research in this area vital for improving healthcare delivery.
Research Areas:
Strategies to optimize resource use and improve patient outcomes in under-resourced hospitals.
Impact of training and capacity-building programs for healthcare providers.
Evaluation of healthcare delivery models in resource-limited settings.
Patient safety and quality improvement initiatives.
Health Systems and Policy
Objective: To strengthen health systems and policies to ensure universal health coverage.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
Regional Relevance: Strengthening health systems is crucial for achieving universal health coverage
in the Caribbean and Central America.
Research Areas:
Evaluation of the impact of removing hospital fees on health access and equity.
Health workforce development and retention strategies.
Financial sustainability and resource allocation in healthcare.
Governance and administration of health services.
Environmental Health
Objective: To mitigate the impact of environmental factors on health.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 6 (Clean Water and
Sanitation)
Regional Relevance: The Caribbean and Central America are particularly vulnerable to environmental
health issues, including the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
Research Areas:
Impact of climate change on health outcomes.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives and their effectiveness.
Air quality and its effects on respiratory health.
Strategies to reduce exposure to environmental toxins.
Community Health
Objective: To engage communities in improving their own health outcomes.
SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Regional Relevance: Community health initiatives are essential in the Caribbean and Central America,
where community-based approaches can effectively address public health challenges.
Research Areas:
Community-based participatory research methods.
Health promotion and disease prevention in communities.
Role of community health workers in healthcare delivery.
Assessing community health needs and developing responsive interventions.
The Research Office
The Research Office of the University of Belize oversees the activities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Graduate Studies and Research Committee (GSRC) and the two UB Journals: Journal of Belizean Research and the Belize Creative Arts and Culture Series
