How the Zika virus outbreaks in Colombia, and subsequent public health responses, have influenced constructions of identity and power for the people a

Research question and aims
I will take a decolonial, intersectional approach to explore how the Zika virus outbreaks in Colombia, and subsequent public health responses, have influenced constructions of identity and power for the people affected, investigating how gender, race, class and disability are constructed. The outbreaks have caused explosions of biomedical research but the social consequences have received less attention. This work will build on existing literature concerning the implications of Zika for universal health coverage; human rights; and health inequities, drawing on insights from reproductive justice to help resolve some of the tensions therein (Kuper, Smythe, and Duttine, 2018; Mohapatra, 2019; Rivera-Amarillo and Camargo, 2019).

This research will influence public health policy on infectious disease, ensuring that the consequences of such policies for oppressed and marginalised groups receive due consideration, and shifting the focus towards the social implications. This will contribute to IGH's goal of producing high quality research that can be translated into practical solutions that promote better health for the most vulnerable in society.