Prof Violet Naanyu Underscores the Role of Social Behavioural Research in Advancing Health Outcomes

Prof Violet Naanyu, the Lead for Social Behavioural Research at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Research, has emphasized the importance of integrating social and behavioural perspectives into healthcare delivery systems to enhance health outcomes across communities.

Speaking at the ongoing health research symposium, Prof Naanyu highlighted that understanding social dynamics, cultural practices, and human behaviour is central to designing effective health interventions and achieving sustainable health goals. She noted that biomedical solutions alone are not sufficient unless they are complemented by a deep appreciation of the social contexts within which people live and make health-related decisions.

As a seasoned scholar and research leader, Prof Naanyu has been at the forefront of championing behavioural and community-based approaches within AMPATH’s extensive health programs. Her work focuses on exploring how individual beliefs, community structures, and social interactions influence treatment adherence, health-seeking behaviour, and overall patient outcomes.

AMPATH Research has made significant strides in addressing critical areas such as maternal health, HIV and AIDS management, mental health, and chronic disease prevention. Prof Naanyu’s approach combines scientific rigor with community engagement, ensuring that health policies and interventions are informed by real-world experiences and grounded in local realities.

She underscored the need for policymakers and health institutions to embrace multidisciplinary collaboration, noting that sustainable healthcare systems can only be achieved when medical science, social science, and policy intersect.

Her address reaffirmed AMPATH’s commitment to promoting research that not only generates evidence but also transforms lives through inclusive, culturally sensitive, and behaviourally informed solutions. Prof Naanyu continues to inspire a new generation of researchers and practitioners who view healthcare through both clinical and social lenses, a vision that is reshaping how health systems respond to the evolving needs of society.