By Godwin Oritse

An Epidemiologist, Dr. David Kajovo, says growing health disparities, is reshaping how we approach public health decision-making.

As a leading spatial epidemiologist, he said using advanced mapping technologies and data science to expose the invisible lines of inequality would go a long way.

He said “this will help policymakers, communities, and development partners understand where healthcare gaps exist, why they persist, and how to address their approach is rooted in evidence and empathy”.

He integrates geographic information systems (GIS), predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence to identify patterns in disease outbreaks, health service access, and environmental risks.

One of his landmark studies revealed a correlation between diabetes prevalence in underserved areas and the condition of public infrastructure-insight that led to more targeted interventions.

He stressed that What makes his work distinctive is a commitment to inclusivity, believing that data collection should not be extractive but participatory.

According to him “Communities are not just studied, they are engaged, local
stakeholders are empowered to contribute their live experiences and, with training, manage their own data environments using open-source tools”.

” Having grown up in a region with limited healthcare access, our research brings a personal understanding of health injustice, this background fuels his ethical approach to data, protecting privacy, avoiding harmful stereotypes, and addressing systemic neglect”.

” Our research frameworks have supported successful vaccine campaigns, improved mental health outreach, and informed investment in maternal healthcare across neglected regions, mentoring young professionals, advocating for the integration of data science into community-centered public health initiatives.

“As climate change and urbanization reshape global health landscapes, this predictive tools are increasingly vital.

“Our work supports emergency preparedness, public health infrastructure design, and resource allocation in real time”.