Harsha Thirumurthy shares research and adventures from South Africa sabbatical

Dr. Harsha Thirumurthy recently came back from a sabbatical in South Africa and describes some of his research projects, adventures, and what he’s looking forward to in the year ahead.

What kind of projects were you working on in South Africa?

I had the privilege of being a visiting scholar at the University of Cape Town’s School of Economics, working on ongoing projects and exploring new ones alongside several UCT research centers — the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, the Development Policy Research Unit, and the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation.

I also worked closely with my colleagues at the Indlela behavioral science unit at Wits University in Johannesburg, a team I’ve been part of for over six years now. Several projects centered on current topics in HIV prevention — boosting uptake of existing prevention services, and combating misinformation about new, lifesaving health products. Others focused on the social determinants of health, particularly how poverty and unemployment shape health behaviors and outcomes.

I also stayed engaged in ongoing projects in Kenya and India, and, from a distance, in priorities facing the Division of Health Policy at Penn. 

A striking fact about South Africa is its very high spatial and racial inequality in both income and health. The country carries a massive burden of infectious disease (HIV and TB especially) alongside a rising burden of non-communicable disease, and it’s still reeling from cuts in foreign aid after last year’s dissolution of USAID and a pause in NIH-funded research there (the latter was just reversed a couple weeks ago).

I spent a lot of time talking with researchers, policymakers, and advocates about strengthening South Africa’s social protection system through expanded cash grants, and we’re now developing an ambitious research proposal to study the health and fiscal impacts of exactly that kind of poverty-alleviating, inequality-reducing measure.

One thing I’d love people outside South Africa to understand: research done there — clinical trials of new medications, studies on the effects of cash transfers on health, development of new diagnostics — delivers massive benefits back to the rest of the world, including the US. 

What was your life like in South Africa?

I loved my day-to-day life in Cape Town — a breathtakingly beautiful city surrounded by nature. Even on my busiest days, a glance at Table Mountain looming over the city was enough to recharge me. A lighter schedule meant more time with my family. We also packed in many adventures in 6 months: hiking, sightseeing, visiting friends, and seeing incredible wildlife in South Africa’s national parks. My wife and I also spent real time helping our kids settle into a new place and a new school. I also made a weekly tradition of swimming in one of Cape Town’s many freezing-cold tidal pools, taking full advantage of living so close to the ocean.

The highlights for me were forming deeper friendships, growing an even stronger attachment to a country I already loved, and of course, running. I logged many epic training runs and races throughout the sabbatical, and I was lucky to be part of a tight-knit community of fast, friendly runners in Cape Town (a group called The Outliers) that I hope to remain connected to for many more years. 

What intangible or tangible thing did you bring home?

The memories of having had the chance to live and work and run in a country that has been beloved to me for a long time – that’s probably the biggest thing.

I also brought a few special posters that I’ll have up in my home and office soon. One is an archival poster featuring an old cover from DRUM, a legendary lifestyle and news magazine that chronicled urban culture and the anti-apartheid resistance from the 1950s onwards.

And I’m hoping to invest more in both creating and contributing to various communities – whether they comprise colleagues, local runners, or others here – it’s something I came to appreciate even more while living in South Africa.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Re-entry is hard! But there are many things I’m looking forward to. First, I’m excited to spend more time around my colleagues in the Division of Health Policy, at CHIBE, and the BEGIN Lab – so much of what I like about being at Penn has to do with the ambitious and inspiring work that they are doing, and the very collegial and collaborative way they are doing it! 

Second, I’m eager to support our junior faculty who are navigating a challenging time in which to be doing scientific research that seeks to improve health outcomes through better policies. I’m encouraged by the perseverance of our faculty and the success they are having despite a tough funding climate.

Lastly, I am excited to further my own research in two areas especially – studying the effects of anti-poverty programs on health and identifying new ways to address the rapidly growing burden of non-communicable diseases (especially diabetes and hypertension) in low- and middle-income countries. 

What is the unfortunate reason you are on crutches right now?

Sadly, my return from sabbatical has coincided with a pretty serious running injury – a stress fracture in my tibia – that has prevented me from running for nearly 3 months now. I’ve been using crutches for nearly a month now, and as soon as I’m cleared to run I hope to slowly build my way back to peak running fitness again. Hopefully my body will cooperate! If all goes well, I’d love to take a shot at several American Records in a new age group (50+) beginning next year.