KISS DU Organizes Pre WAC-2023 Distinguished Invited Online Lecture Series

Professor Mark Huffman, Quentin D. Young Professor of Health Policy and Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine and Medicine, Director of the Center for Global Cardiovascular Health, and practicing general cardiologist at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine delivered the sixth invited lecture under the Pre WAC-2023 Distinguished Invited Online Lecture Series organized by KISS Deemed to be University. 

He spoke on a health project titled “Evaluating implementation and scale-up of Nigeria’s national sodium reduction program”. Professor Huffman has wide exposure in cardiovascular epidemiology, clinical trials, implementation research, and health systems and policy research that aligns with the World Health Organization’s Best Buys for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

In his address, he talked about dietary sodium which is a major modifiable dietary factor associated with blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases that are prevalent in Nigeria. Through the WHO’s SHAKE package and using a type 3 hybrid study design and the EPIS, CFIR, and RE-AIM frameworks, he presented a baseline assessment and follow-up assessments (UH3 phase) using stakeholder interviews, population surveys, and retail surveys.  He said that the results he arrived at through his study will be critical in prioritizing interventions such as common awareness and education campaigns, improving food leveling, reformation of packaging foods advertising restrictions, school based programs and strategies to encourage use of low sodium salts.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU made preliminary remarks about the importance of the Lecture Series and also about the academic beliefs and practices of the University. He also elaborated on the forthcoming World Anthropology Congress to be held at KISS-DU during January 2023. Professor Gregory S, Member Secretary, UIAF spoke about the ensuing World Congress – 2023 to be organized under the auspices of KISS-DU in partnership with United Indian Anthropology Forum (UIAF) and in collaboration with the Departments of Anthropology, Utkal University, University of Delhi and Sambalpur University.

Dr. Vipin Gupta, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi summarized the talk of Dr. Huffman. Professor Ashok Kumar Mohapatra, Sr. Professor and Chairman, HRDC also spoke. Dr. Chittranjan Bhoi, Director, HRDC, KISS-DU offered the vote of thanks.