HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-10: Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases – Rural Health Implementation Partner

PAEDIATRIC RHEUMATIC DISEASES: IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND EQUITABLE RURAL HEALTHCARE

Organisation: Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Ecuador

Target call: HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-10 – Prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases in children and young people (GACD).

RESEARCH FOCUS

ESPOCH seeks to join a European-led Horizon Europe consortium investigating the implementation of evidence-based interventions for chronic diseases among children and young people, with particular attention to underserved and rural populations.

Our proposed contribution builds on an existing community engagement project, “Fomento de la nutrición saludable en niños, niñas y adolescentes con diagnóstico de enfermedades reumáticas”, in Chimborazo, Ecuador. The initiative involves clinical and nutritional assessment, health education, family engagement and interdisciplinary participation. It offers experience working with young people affected by rheumatic diseases in an Andean setting.

We propose collaboration to select, adapt and evaluate interventions already supported by effectiveness evidence, rather than treating our existing educational activities as a proven intervention.

POTENTIAL RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

• Community-based implementation of evidence-based nutritional counselling, family education and integrated care strategies relevant to paediatric rheumatic disease.

• Assessment of barriers and facilitators to access, continuity of care and multidisciplinary follow-up in rural and underserved settings.

• Application of implementation science approaches (e.g., RE-AIM and CFIR) to evaluate reach, adoption, fidelity, acceptability, equity and sustainability.

• Engagement of children and young people, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders in culturally appropriate adaptations.

• Evaluation of implementation costs, scalability and sustainability, together with qualified consortium partners.

EXISTING EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES

ESPOCH has documented community engagement experience in paediatric rheumatic diseases, nutrition-related health promotion and regional outreach in Chimborazo. The activities involve medicine, nutrition and other academic disciplines, providing an interdisciplinary basis for health systems and community research. ESPOCH could contribute clinical expertise in rheumatology, contextual knowledge, stakeholder engagement and potential research implementation settings.

PARTNERS SOUGHT

We seek an established European consortium or eligible coordinator with expertise in paediatric rheumatology or other chronic conditions, implementation science, evidence-based interventions, health economics, health equity, social sciences and multicountry evaluation. Partnerships with patient and caregiver organisations are especially welcome.

EXPECTED COLLABORATION

ESPOCH aims to participate as an academic, clinical and community research partner, contributing to contextual assessment, adaptation, stakeholder participation, implementation and outcome evaluation in Latin America. The intervention, study design, recruitment targets, data availability, partner responsibilities and budget would be jointly determined and subject to institutional agreements, ethical approvals and applicable regulations.

CONTACT

Dr. Urbano Solis Cartas
Rheumatologist; Coordinator, Medicine Degree Programme
Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH)
Riobamba, Ecuador

We welcome enquiries from European research coordinators and consortia preparing collaborative proposals for Horizon Europe Health 2027.