Enhancing Health in Urban Slums: Cleaner Cookstoves for Reduced Indoor Air Pollution

Background: Approximately 2.8 billion people in low- and middle-income countries face environmental and health issues due to reliance on solid fuels, leading to indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases. This problem is particularly pronounced in developing countries, contributing to 80% of global exposure to particulate matter. Indoor pollution is linked to 50% of child deaths under five and triples the likelihood of women developing COPD. Pollution-related diseases strain healthcare systems and hinder economic growth, incurring direct medical expenses. Building on Maastricht University's success, this study draws from the Exhale Project in Bangalore, India, using a co-designing model with multi-stakeholder collaboration. This research was conducted under a fellowship by RESPIRE, a Global Health Research Unit dedicated to respiratory health in Asia. RESPIRE capacity-building fellowship, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by the University of Edinburgh, aims to enhance career development opportunities, promote capacity building, and foster South-South collaboration within RESPIRE organisations and beyond. Methodology: The study employed action research to engage with the community in Dhaka's urban slums, focusing on understanding cooking practices, needs, and challenges. A pilot study involving 30 households in two slums of Dhaka North City Corporation explored contextual factors influencing cooking equipment choices. The project ran from January 16 to July 31. Prioritizing community-centered research enhanced cultural sensitivity, and collaborating with stakeholders improved partnership-building skills, aligning the project with global health priorities for sustainable and long-term health practices. Questions to discuss: 1. How can we enhance the effectiveness of a co-designing model, emphasizing multi-stakeholder collaboration, in piloting cleaner cookstoves and fuels in urban slums? 2. How does the research address and respond to both climate and health crises?