Dr. Ko’s research centers on the health problems that have emerged as a consequence of rapid urbanization and social inequity. He coordinates a research and training program on urban slum health in Brazil and conducts prospective cohort studies on leptospirosis, dengue, meningitis and respiratory infections. His research combines multidisciplinary epidemiology, ecology and translational research-based approaches to identify prevention and control strategies that can be implemented in slum communities. More recently, Dr. Ko and his team has mobilized the public health research capacity at their site in the city of Salvador to investigate the on-going outbreak of Zika virus infection and microcephaly.
Specialized Terms: Urban slum health, Leptospirosis; Dengue; Bacterial meningitis; Vaccine preventable diseases; Zika viral infections
Dengue; Epidemiology; Leptospirosis; Urban Health; Global Health; Meningitis, Bacterial; Infectious Disease Medicine
Epidemiology Methods; Global Health; Infectious Diseases; Maternal & Child Health; Zoonotic Diseases; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice; COVID-19