About

Dr. Emmanuel Peprah is an Associate Professor of Global and Environmental Health at NYU School of Global Public Health. His research interests focus on understanding the factors that influence the burden of co-morbidity in people living with HIV/AIDS, with particular attention to cardiovascular disease risk factors and mental health. He investigates the contextual factors that affect health outcomes in these populations and explores strategies to integrate non-communicable disease management into HIV care by leveraging global infrastructure to improve care delivery for PLWH. Dr. Peprah has built collaborations with multidisciplinary teams both nationally and internationally to address the high burden of comorbidity in PLWH globally. Before joining NYU GPH, Dr. Peprah served as a senior program official at the National Institutes of Health, where he oversaw strategic planning, initiative development, and implementation of research priorities in translational research, implementation science, and global health. He managed HIV/AIDS programs and a significant portfolio at the NIH and played a key role in launching the H3Africa Initiative, a major trans-NIH program. His work has been recognized with numerous awards for leadership, strategic planning, and management, including the NIH Director’s Award for Leadership and the NHLBI’s Director’s Outstanding Service awards. Dr. Peprah holds a BS in Biology from Texas A&M University and a PhD in Molecular Biology & Biomedical Science from Meharry Medical College. He is also the founder of the Baakoye Foundation and co-founder of the Washington Leaders Index, organizations dedicated to serving children and people in sub-Saharan Africa through education and health initiatives.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Demography
• Intensive care medicine
• Nursing
• Political Science
• Gerontology
• Geography
• Risk analysis (engineering)
• Economics

Selected publications

• SickleInAfrica Consortium: A Seven-Country Study Evaluating the Performance of Dried Blood Spot Point-of-Care Testing in Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease

  Hemoglobin · 2026-03-04

  articleOpen access

  Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where approximately 200,000 newborns are affected annually. Without early diagnosis and access to care, up to 50% of these children may die before the age of five. Although newborn screening (NBS) programs have proven effective in improving survival, their implementation across Africa is constrained by logistical barriers associated with standard diagnostic methods such as isoelectric focusing (IEF), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Dried blood spot point-of-care testing (DBS-POCT) offers a potentially scalable alternative due to its stability, simplicity, and suitability for centralized analysis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of DBS-POCT using the HemoTypeSC test compared to both standard POCT and reference laboratory testing across 705 newborns (0-3 months old) in seven countries within the SickleInAfrica Consortium. DBS-POCT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting HbAA and HbAS, moderate sensitivity for HbSS, and lower sensitivity for HbAC, with some variability across countries. In several countries, DBS-POCT outperformed standard POCT, particularly in detecting SCD subtypes. Our findings support the utility of DBS-POCT for expanding newborn screening programs in resource-limited settings.

  PublisherDOI

• SickleInAfrica Consortium: A Seven-Country Study Evaluating the Performance of Dried Blood Spot Point-of-Care Testing in Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease

  Figshare · 2026-04-09

  articleOpen access

  Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where approximately 200,000 newborns are affected annually. Without early diagnosis and access to care, up to 50% of these children may die before the age of five. Although newborn screening (NBS) programs have proven effective in improving survival, their implementation across Africa is constrained by logistical barriers associated with standard diagnostic methods such as isoelectric focusing (IEF), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Dried blood spot point-of-care testing (DBS-POCT) offers a potentially scalable alternative due to its stability, simplicity, and suitability for centralized analysis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of DBS-POCT using the HemoTypeSC test compared to both standard POCT and reference laboratory testing across 705 newborns (0–3 months old) in seven countries within the SickleInAfrica Consortium. DBS-POCT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting HbAA and HbAS, moderate sensitivity for HbSS, and lower sensitivity for HbAC, with some variability across countries. In several countries, DBS-POCT outperformed standard POCT, particularly in detecting SCD subtypes. Our findings support the utility of DBS-POCT for expanding newborn screening programs in resource-limited settings.

  PublisherDOI

• Geographic and Temporal Differences in Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalizations in New York State

  JAMA Network Open · 2026-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Importance: Sickle cell disease (SCD) disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority groups in the US and is associated with high levels of morbidity and health care utilization. However, population-level geographic differences and temporal variation in SCD hospitalization outcomes remain incompletely characterized. Objective: To assess temporal and regional patterns of SCD hospitalizations in New York State from 2009 through 2022. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed inpatient SCD hospitalizations recorded in the New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System deidentified database between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2022. The analytic sample included 42 271 hospitalizations after exclusion of records with missing demographic, cost, or facility information. Data analysis was conducted from July 17, 2024, to February 14, 2025. Exposures: Hospitalization with SCD across 8 state-defined health service areas. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes included regional distribution of hospitalizations, mean length of stay, mean total charges, and trends in severity of illness and risk of mortality as defined by the All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups classification system. Demographic and regional distributions were compared across years and regions. Results: Among 42 271 SCD hospitalizations (21 777 female [51.5%]), most occurred among individuals identified as Black (35 318 [83.6%) compared with White (750 [1.8%]), multiracial (242 [0.6%]), and other race or ethnicity 5956 (14.1%) and were aged 18 to 29 (16 794 [39.7%]) or 30 to 49 years (13 480 [31.8%]). New York City accounted for the largest proportion of hospitalizations statewide. There were significant differences in the length of stay and total charges across service areas; Central New York had the longest mean (SD) length of stay of 6.3 (7.3) days, followed by the Hudson Valley (6.2 [7.2]) days, while Long Island had the highest mean (SD) total charges at $59 476.3 ($63 823.5). The proportion of hospitalizations classified as major severity increased from 751 of 5897 (12.7%) in 2009 to 1011 of 3709 (27.3%) in 2022, and the proportion classified as major risk of mortality increased from 170 of 5897 (2.9%) to 469 of 3709 (12.6%) during the same period. Long Island had the highest proportion of hospitalizations with major risk of mortality (93 of 970 [9.6%]), whereas New York City exhibited one of the lower proportions of major risk of mortality (1531 of 27 923 [5.5%]) despite high hospitalization volume. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, geographic and temporal differences in SCD hospitalization outcomes were observed across New York State during a 14-year period. These findings suggest the need for region-specific strategies to improve access to specialized care, reduce severe outcomes, and optimize health care resource use for individuals living with SCD.

  PublisherDOI

• SickleInAfrica Consortium: A Seven-Country Study Evaluating the Performance of Dried Blood Spot Point-of-Care Testing in Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease

  Figshare · 2026-04-09

  articleOpen access

  Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where approximately 200,000 newborns are affected annually. Without early diagnosis and access to care, up to 50% of these children may die before the age of five. Although newborn screening (NBS) programs have proven effective in improving survival, their implementation across Africa is constrained by logistical barriers associated with standard diagnostic methods such as isoelectric focusing (IEF), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Dried blood spot point-of-care testing (DBS-POCT) offers a potentially scalable alternative due to its stability, simplicity, and suitability for centralized analysis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of DBS-POCT using the HemoTypeSC test compared to both standard POCT and reference laboratory testing across 705 newborns (0–3 months old) in seven countries within the SickleInAfrica Consortium. DBS-POCT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for detecting HbAA and HbAS, moderate sensitivity for HbSS, and lower sensitivity for HbAC, with some variability across countries. In several countries, DBS-POCT outperformed standard POCT, particularly in detecting SCD subtypes. Our findings support the utility of DBS-POCT for expanding newborn screening programs in resource-limited settings.

  PublisherDOI

• Evaluating the feasibility, adoption, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of telemedicine interventions in managing COVID-19 within low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs): A systematic review

  PLOS Digital Health · 2025-04-08 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  COVID-19 has tragically taken the lives of more than 6.5 million people globally, significantly challenging healthcare systems and service delivery, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review aims to: (1) evaluate the feasibility of telemedicine interventions for COVID-19 management; (2) assess the adoption of telemedicine interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) examine the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine implementation efforts and (4) analyze the sustainability of telemedicine interventions for COVID-19 disease management within LMIC service settings. We reviewed studies from selected public health and health science databases, focusing on those conducted in countries classified as low and middle-income by the World Bank, using telemedicine for confirmed COVID-19 cases, and adhering to Proctor's framework for implementation outcomes. Of the 766 articles identified and 642 screened, only 3 met all inclusion criteria. These studies showed reduced reliance on antibiotics, prescription drugs, and emergency department referrals among telemedicine patients. Statistical parity was observed in the length of stay, diagnostic test ordering rates, and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnoses between telemedicine and in-person visits. Telemedicine interventions designed for post-COVID physical rehabilitation demonstrated safety, sustainability, and enhanced quality of life for patients without requiring specialized equipment, proving adaptable across contexts with appropriate technology. These interventions were also economically sustainable and cost-effective for healthcare systems as a whole. Proposed strategies to bridge implementation gaps include community-level assessments, strategic planning, multisectoral partnerships of local hospital administration and lawmakers, legal consultations, and healthcare informatics improvements. Increased investment in telemedicine research focusing on infectious disease management is crucial for the continued development and refinement of effective strategies tailored to resource-constrained regions.

  PublisherDOI

• FACTORS IMPACTING OBSTETRIC HEMORRHAGE IN NIGERIA: A Descriptive Systematic Review

  Open Science Framework · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  A descriptive systematic review to identify and evaluate clinical interventions that aim to address PPH among pregnant women in Nigeria.

  PublisherDOI

• A call to integrate mental health support into Sickle Cell Disease care: The value of task-sharing in low- and middle-income countries

  PLOS mental health. · 2025-07-03

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• The importance of funding and investment to strengthen data science in Africa

  Communications Medicine · 2025-07-15 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Currently Africa is not fully realizing the potential of data science (DS) to improve health outcomes. In this comment we advocate for policymakers to make concerted and strategic efforts that complement existing strategies to enhance DS and propel Africa into a prominent role in the global DS arena. Kayalioglu et al. explore the underutilization of data science (DS) to improve health outcomes in Africa and advocate for increased, strategic investment in DS infrastructure, talent development, and research funding. They highlight current challenges while proposing collaborative efforts to build sustainable, locally driven DS growth across Africa.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An implementation trial to mAnage siCkle CELl disEase through incReased AdopTion of hydroxyurEa in Nigeria (ACCELERATE): Study protocol

  PLoS ONE · 2025-01-08

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy of evidence-based healthcare interventions in reducing adverse outcomes and mortality associated with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a vast majority of affected individuals in Africa remain deprived of such care. Hydroxyurea (HU) utilization among SCD patients in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) stands at less than 1%, while in Nigeria, approximately 13% of patients benefit from HU therapy. To enhance HU utilization, targeted implementation strategies addressing provider-level barriers are imperative. Existing evidence underscores the significance of addressing barriers such as inadequate healthcare worker training to improve HU adoption. The ACCELERATE study aims to evaluate the adoption of HU among providers through the Screen, Initiate, and Maintain (SIM) intervention, facilitated by healthcare worker training, clinical reminders, and task-sharing strategies, thereby enhancing patient-level SCD management in Nigeria. METHODS: This study will implement the SIM intervention, encompassing patient screening, initiation of HU treatment, and maintenance of dosage, which will be implemented via the TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for Hemoglobinopathies (TASSH TCP), derived from our team's TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for Hypertension control (TASSH) trials. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach within the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework, this study will assess SIM adoption by providers in Nigeria. The primary outcome is the rate of SIM adoption at clinical sites at 12 months, with secondary outcomes including sustainability/maintenance of SIM intervention and implementation fidelity. DISCUSSION: This study's findings will offer crucial insights into effective SCD management strategies, leveraging existing SCD clinical networks and resources in Nigeria to enhance HU adoption among providers in a scalable and sustainable manner. Additionally, the study will inform best practices for implementing HU therapy in resource-constrained settings, benefiting healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders invested in improving SCD care delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06318143.

  PublisherDOI

• Downward accountability mechanism effectiveness by non-governmental organizations in low- and middle-income countries: A qualitative systematic review

  PLoS ONE · 2025-05-28 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Downward accountability, defined as being answerable to beneficiaries for actions and giving affected populations influence in aid processes, remains unstandardized and underinvested across the humanitarian sector. Currently, numerous accountability mechanisms are being utilized by humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the different mechanisms have varying degrees of effectiveness in providing true accountability to affected populations due to significant barriers or strengths in implementation. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a qualitative systematic review investigating the various downward accountability mechanisms employed by non-governmental organizations in LMICs, and to assess the effectiveness of these mechanisms in delivering downward accountability for populations in low-resource settings. RESULTS: We searched 10 databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, Global Health, EBSCO SocINDEX, ABI/INFORM, ALNAP, and Sociological Abstracts from 2008-2023. Grey literature was searched on Google Scholar. To capture any additional articles, the search was updated in November 2024. Our search produced 1521 articles. After applying our exclusion criteria and screening, 38 articles comprised our final dataset. Each article reported on the effectiveness of five downward accountability mechanisms, including participation, ownership, transparency, program auditing, and social auditing. Associated barriers to accountability included implementation, power asymmetry, and fragmentation within the humanitarian sector. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant gaps in research on the effectiveness of downward accountability mechanisms amongst humanitarian NGOs in LMICs. This research deficit adversely affects the sustainability of local development initiatives and, on a broader scale, undermines overall organizational effectiveness. Implementing balanced accountability mechanisms that promote equality in power dynamics is pivotal to achieving meaningful outcomes for affected populations.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• G Anil Kumar

  50 shared

• Dan J. Stein

  South African Medical Research Council

  42 shared

• Ali H. Mokdad

  38 shared

• Simon I Hay

  37 shared

• Shanshan Li

  Monash University

  36 shared

• Christopher J L Murray

  University of Washington

  35 shared

• Ai Koyanagi

  Instituto de Salud Carlos III

  34 shared

• Fakher Rahim

  Hamad Medical Corporation

  33 shared

Awards & honors

• NIH Director’s Award for Leadership (2018)
• H3Africa Stage II Team: For exceptional leadership and dedic…
• NHLBI’s Director's for Outstanding Service (2018)
• NHLBI’s Director's for Outstanding Service Partnership/Colla…
• NHLBI’s Director's for Outstanding Translational Science Awa…