Dr. Nigel James
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Profile
Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Dr. Nigel James is a global health specialist and health policy researcher. He earned a dual-title Ph.D. in Health Policy and Administration and Demography from The Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on developing optimal policy tools for sustainable health financing, which are critical for healthcare reforms aimed at improving maternal and child health interventions, addressing global pandemics, and mitigating health-related climate change impacts. Dr. James employs econometric and spatial analytic models to evaluate health interventions and to address issues such as the global burden of disease, the globalization of health and healthcare, and the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health.
Dr. James's extensive background in public health spans several continents including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. His professional experience includes roles in government, international NGOs, academia, and with prominent development agencies such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He is also a fellow of the prestigious Global Health Corps Fellowship Program, an initiative that unites a diverse network of young, committed health equity champions dedicated to building equitable health systems worldwide.
His scholarly work has been published in leading global health journals such as Global Health Research and Policy, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, African Health Sciences, and INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, and the International Journal for Quality in Health Care, among others.
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Awards
Health and Human Development Endowed Graduate Fellowship Award
Jennifer and Kenneth Newell Endowment Graduate Scholarship
Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Scholarship Award
The Graduate Program in Demography Doctoral Scholarship Award
Pennsylvania State University Doctoral Scholarship Award
Global Health Corp Fellowship Award—UNAIDS, Washington DC
Thammasat University Master’s in Global Health Scholarship Award
Switzerland Public Health Policy, Economics and Management Award
National Health Care Trust Scholarship Award
University Book Prize Award- University of Zimbabwe
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Awards
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Selected Publications
Journal Articles
James, N., Acharya, Y. (2022) Increasing Health Insurance Enrolment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What Works, What Does Not, and Research Gaps – A Scoping Review. INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 59.
Nyoni, P., & James, N. (2022). Condom use and risk factors of inconsistent or low use of the condoms during heterosexual anal intercourse in sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.African Health Sciences, 22(1), 11-20.
James, N., & Acharya, Y. (2021). Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness Strategy in Zimbabwe: An Evaluation. PLOS Global Public Health, 1(11)
Nyoni-Kachambwa, P., Naravage, W., James, N., & Van der Putten, M. (2021). A preliminary study of skin bleaching, and factors associated with skin bleaching among women living in Zimbabwe. African Health Sciences, 21(1), 132-9.
AlKhaldi, M., James, N., Chattu, V.K. et al. (2021) Rethinking and strengthening the Global Health Diplomacy through triangulated nexus between policy makers, scientists, and the community in light of COVID-19 global crisis. Glob Health Res Policy 6, 12
Acharya, Y., James, N., Thapa, R., Naz, S., Shrestha, R., & Tamang, S. (2021). Content of antenatal care and perception about services provided by primary hospitals in Nepal: a convergent mixed methods study. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 33(2)
James, N., Lawson, K., Acharya, Y. (2020). Evidence on result-based financing in maternal and child health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Glob Health Res Policy5, 31 (2020).
Kachambwa, P. N., Naravage, W., James, N. F., & van der Putten, M. (2019). The impacts of neo-liberalism on public health: A case study of skin bleaching among women living in Zimbabwe. Medical Journal of Zambia, 46(3), 186-191
Langkulsen, U., Promsakha Na Sakolnakhon, K., & James, N. (2019). Climate change and dengue risk in central region of Thailand. International journal of environmental health research, 1-9
Roongsawang, T., James, N., Chetan, K. C., Chaudhary, R., Gurung, S., & Sengal, K. T. (2017) Virtual Water Policy: A Case of Saudi Arabia. NIDA Case Research Journal, 9(2), 42-54
Langkulsen, U., Promsakha Na Sakolnakhon, K., & James, N. (2019) Climate, and dengue in central region of Thailand. Environmental Epidemiology,1(3), 221-222.
Dissertation
James Nigel, (2024) Essays on Social Protection and Health Insurance. Accessible from: https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/22280nmj5238
Policy Briefs and Technical Reports
Nigel James et al; (2022) Young Experts: Tech for Health, “Advocacy and Messaging Frame- work of Young Experts: Tech for Health”, Accessible from: https://yet4h.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Doc-Final.pdf
Closing the Digital Divide, More and Better Funding for Digital Transformation of Health - The Role of National Governments, 2022. Transform Health Coalition, Nigel James (Contributor) Accessible from: https://transformhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/National-Government-Policy-Brief-Digital.pd
Closing the Digital Divide, More and Better Funding for Digital Transformation of Health - The Role of the Private Sector, 2022. Transfrom Health Coalition, Nigel James (Contributor) Accessible from: https://transformhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Private-Sector-Policy-Brief-v2.pdf
Closing the Digital Divide, More and Better Funding for Digital Transformation of Health - The Role of Donors and Development Partners, 2022. Transfrom Health Coalition, Nigel James (Contributor) Accessible from: https://transformhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Donors-and-Development-Partners-Policy-Brief-Digital.pdf
Opinion Pieces
Nigel James & Fabio Saini: Rethinking Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Why It’s Time for a Paradigm Shift.AMPLIFY.(2019). Accessible from: https://medium.com/amplify/rethinking-climate-change-adaptation-and-mitigation-68b06bb9b53e
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In the News
'Life after cancer’: Nigerian survivors challenge taboos, push for better health care
Mon., May. 13, 2024Prevention Research Center funds projects promoting the health of diverse groups
Thu., Apr. 20, 2023'Red alert for child health': A nationwide vaccine shortage hits Ghana amid measles outbreak
Thu., Mar. 16, 2023Urban Voucher Program, Zimbabwe
Fri., Mar. 18, 2016 - Links