#57 - Avoidable Deaths Network: Creative Arts + Indian Chapter

Summary:

The first interview explores the role of creative arts within the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN), featuring Winifred Ekezie from Aston University. While positioned within the UK chapter, the discussion centres on how creative approaches, such as poster campaigns, blogs, and planned creative health initiatives, are used to communicate evidence on avoidable deaths in more engaging and accessible ways. Through annual campaigns, students research and visually present the top avoidable causes of death across different regions, transforming complex public health data into compelling, audience-friendly outputs. This creative process not only raises awareness but also helps translate research into practical understanding, showing how preventable risks, often health-related, can be reduced through informed action at individual and community levels.

The second interview shifts to the India chapter, led by Dr. Pinnamaneni and Dr. Jena, and highlights its recent launch and early activities. As a university-hosted initiative, the chapter prioritizes building future leaders by engaging students, NGOs, and policymakers in understanding and addressing avoidable deaths. Key efforts include relaunch events, international conference participation, quiz competitions, and collaborative discussions with grassroots organizations and global partners such as UN agencies. The chapter aims to act as a platform that connects research, policy, and practice, encouraging multi-sector collaboration and translating evidence into real-world impact. Looking ahead, their goals focus on strengthening partnerships with government bodies, supporting disaster risk reduction efforts, and ensuring long-term capacity building to tackle avoidable deaths across India.

Link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/Guests:

• Dr. Winifred Ekezie (Aston University, United Kingdom)
• Dr. Ramya Pinnamaneni (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India)
• Dr. Pratap Kumar Jena (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India)

Co-Hosts:

• Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)
• Dr. Haris Rahadianto (Lund University, Sweden)

Music:

“Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.