CONTRIBUTORS
Christine Ger Ochola
Communications Officer
Ivan Gabriel Busulwa
Program Manager
Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) play an important role in providing longitudinal data on populations, enabling researchers and policymakers to track health trends, mortality rates, and the impact of public health interventions. There are at least 40 HDSS sites across Africa, most of them located in rural areas. The majority have been in operation for over 20 years, and, on average, each site follows a population of about 100,000 people. Despite their potential, many HDSS in Africa remain underutilized due to several challenges. These include inconsistencies in data collection methods and storage formats, variable data definitions across different sites, limited integration with national health systems, underinvestment in digital infrastructure, and barriers to data access and sharing. Also, many of them rely on donor funding, which can be short-term and restrictive, leaving little room for innovation or sustainability.
In February 2025, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) launched the Implementation Network for Sharing Population Information from Research Institutions (INSPIRE 2.0) in Dakar, Senegal. INSPIRE was first conceptualized by the APHRC in collaboration with partners in July 2019. Its goal was to provide a platform for sharing data from longitudinal population cohorts (LPCs), particularly HDSS. Since INSPIRE’s inception, APHRC has collaborated with partners to grow it from five sites in East Africa to a network of 25 across Africa. INSPIRE 2.0 will thus collaborate with 10-15 HDSS sites across Africa to develop scalable, standardized methodologies for data collection and analysis, enabling collaboration and capacity building across HDSS sites.
The INSPIRE 2.0 launch brought together 14 African HDSS, policymakers, researchers, data scientists, and other key stakeholders to discuss the roadmap for advancing data standardization, harmonization, visualization, and AI integration initiatives across Africa. During the launch, the keynote speakers highlighted the urgency of using HDSS data to inform evidence-based solutions at the national level, emphasizing the need for better integration of HDSS data into national health systems, improved digital infrastructure, and the adoption of modern analytical tools.
The discussions also highlighted the significance of sustainable funding, HDSS capacity building, and fostering community engagement to enhance the impact of HDSS on public health policy and interventions. A major focus of the discussions was the need to reimagine and reposition HDSS to better serve both national and global health priorities. Speakers emphasized the urgency of making HDSS more innovative, cost-effective, and integrated into routine health systems, with a stronger alignment to the AU’s Agenda 2063 and other development goals. There was also a strong push for harmonization, standardization, and greater data interoperability across sites. Ultimately, the launch centered on building a new era of HDSS—one that is leaner, smarter, and more responsive to real-world health problems.
To further facilitate large-scale comparative studies, INSPIRE 2.0 is aligning HDSS datasets with global standards like the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP-CDM), ensuring seamless data interoperability and comparability.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are also emerging as powerful tools in improving and utilizing HDSS data. These technologies help detect and correct inconsistencies, harmonize HDSS data variables, and generate predictive insights for better decision-making. By incorporating AI and advanced data analytics, INSPIRE 2.0 will maximize the impact of HDSS data, enabling more accurate and timely public health responses. To support this, the initiative will invest in AI/ML capacity-strengthening programs for HDSS researchers and data managers while ensuring best practices in data handling and interpretation…
INSPIRE 2.0 is a renewed commitment to transform HDSS into more resourceful, integrated, and impactful public health decision-making tools in Africa. By bringing together policymakers, researchers, funders, and communities, the initiative sets the stage for a unified approach to data collection and utilization. An approach that is aligned with national and global priorities. With continued advancements in data harmonization and AI-driven analytics, we are entering a new era in population health research, one that holds immense potential for meaningful change.