Health For All Foundation — Bangladesh · Global Research to Action
rripon@hfafoundation.org+8801613335184
Bangladesh · Evidence for Action

Science for
Healthier Communities

A public health research foundation translating rigorous science into equitable health outcomes for every community in Bangladesh.

📄
28+
Publications
🏆
6
Awards
🌍
3
Continents
👥
170M
People Served
Community Transformation

What Changes When We Arrive

The foundation's research-to-action model directly transforms health outcomes across Bangladesh's communities.

01
🤰
Maternal Mortality Crisis

165 deaths per 100k live births — among highest in South Asia. 58% skilled birth attendance only.

MMR per 100k165
02
🌫️
Air Pollution Crisis

Dhaka AQI averages 187 (Unhealthy). 4th worst air quality globally.

Avg AQI Dhaka187
03
💧
Arsenic Contamination

20+ million Bangladeshis consume arsenic-contaminated water daily.

Affected pop20M+
04
❤️
NCD Crisis

Cardiovascular disease causes 27% of all deaths.

CVD deaths %27%
05
🧠
Mental Health Gap

97% treatment gap for mental health conditions.

Treatment gap97%
06
💉
Vaccine Hesitancy

HPV vaccine awareness below 20%.

HPV awareness18%
01
🤰
Maternal Health Progress

Research shaping national HFA policy. Target: ≤89 per 100k by 2030.

Target MMR≤89
02
🌿
Environmental Research

10+ papers published on BD environmental health.

Papers published10+
03
💧
WASH Advocacy

Arsenic research informing government policy.

Policy influenceActive
04
❤️
NCD Research

6+ CVD papers linking toxic metals to cardiovascular outcomes.

Papers published6+
05
🧠
Mental Health Action

5 districts piloting CHW psychosocial training.

Active districts5
06
💉
Vaccine Confidence

HPV awareness campaigns active in 3 districts.

Active districts3
Research Programs

Our Focus Areas

Each program targets a critical gap in Bangladesh's health system — grounded in data, driven by science.

165
Maternal Deaths per 100k
Target: ≤89
187
Dhaka AQI (Unhealthy)
4th worst globally
20M+
Arsenic-affected
Largest globally
27%
CVD Deaths
Sharply rising
97%
Mental Health Gap
H4A addressing
01
🤰
Maternal & Child Health

Reducing maternal/infant mortality through skilled birth attendance, prenatal care.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 58% skilled births rural
✅ Shaping national policy
02
🌿
Environmental Exposure

Air pollution, heavy metals, PFAS — investigating health effects.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ No PFAS monitoring
✅ JAMA 2025 paper
03
❤️
Cardiovascular & NCDs

Building NCD screening capacity linked to toxic metal exposures.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 27% deaths from CVD
✅ 6+ research papers
04
🧠
Mental Health

Reducing stigma, integrating psychosocial support into primary care.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 97% treatment gap
✅ 5 district pilots
05
💧
Clean Water & WASH

Addressing arsenic contamination and sanitation gaps.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 20M+ on arsenic water
✅ Policy briefs submitted
06
📡
Digital Health

Telemedicine solutions and digital CHW training.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 60% lack specialist access
✅ Framework in development
Ongoing Research

Flagship Projects

Evidence-driven studies addressing Bangladesh's most urgent public health challenges.

🌊📊
Socioeconomic and Health Disparities Associated with Flood Risk in Bangladesh
View Paper
🚽💊
Household Sanitation infrastructure and Antibiotic Utilization Patterns Among Children Under Five in Bangladesh
View Paper
💪❤️
Handgrip Strength and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Adults in Bangladesh – Cross sectional study
View Paper
🚗💨
Exposure to freeway air pollution and its health impacts on slum dwellers in dhaka, Bangladesh
View Paper
🌬️📋
Prevalence of asthma in Bangladesh
View Paper
💉🎗️
Cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and willingness to be vaccinated among Bangladeshi girls
View Paper
Latest Updates

Live Public Health News

Real-time · Global Sources

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📡 Sources: WHO, CDC, The Lancet, BMJ | Updated in real-time
Measurable Change

Our Impact So Far

28+
Peer-reviewed
Publications
6
International
Awards
5
Active District
Pilots
170M
People We
Serve
Leadership

Meet Our Founders

👨‍⚕️
Rezaul Karim Ripon
Founder & Executive Director
🎓
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthEpidemiologist
🏆
AHA Paul Dudley White Scholar 2025International Research Award
📘
ISCHE Research to Action FellowGlobal Health Leadership
🌍
APHA Climate Leadership AwardEnvironmental Health Advocacy
"Health is not a privilege for the few — it is a fundamental right for all."
👩‍⚕️
Jhuma Akter
Co-Founder & Director, Women's Health
👩‍⚕️
Maternal & Child Health SpecialistWomen-Led Health Initiatives
🏅
50+ Community Health ProgramsGrassroots Implementation
📋
CV & Public Health LeadershipOver 50 Publications & Reports
🤝
Advocate for Gender EquityBridging Policy & Community
"Empowering women and communities is the foundation of lasting health equity."

"Our dual leadership — combining global research expertise with grassroots women's health advocacy — ensures that Health For All Foundation addresses health challenges from the lab to the last mile."

— Rezaul Karim Ripon & Jhuma Akter, Co-Founders
Get Involved

Partner With Us

Join us in building a healthier Bangladesh through research, advocacy, and community action.

📍
Our Location

Dhaka, Bangladesh
Global Research Network

📧
Email Us

rripon@hfafoundation.org
rripon@hsph.harvard.edu

🔗
Partners

Health For All Foundation Bangladesh · The Butterfly Project Inc.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

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