Artificial
Intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising technologies in the medical
field, according to a report by HSBC Bank. Some studies already show that data
collection and AI-based algorithms can be used to predict pandemics, as
reported by National Geographic. Geographic conditions, weather information,
and even species migration patterns can contribute to detecting the spread of
certain viruses, the same study notes.
This
becomes especially critical in regions where access to medical centers and
equipment is limited. That’s why Gabriel Carrasco-Escobar (Peru, 33) developed
Drones4Health, a platform for predicting outbreaks of infectious diseases using
high-resolution environmental and climate data. The platform leverages emerging
technologies and AI-based modeling to generate early warning systems.
Drones4Health
aims to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change and
infectious diseases in the Peruvian Amazon, a pilot project that could be scaled
to other sensitive regions across Latin America. In 2023 alone, the Americas
recorded more than 4 million cases of dengue and nearly 500,000 cases of
malaria, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Carrasco-Escobar’s initiative addresses the gap in rapid, accurate information
that local authorities need to make evidence-based decisions in the face of
climate challenges.
Carrasco-Escobar
holds a degree in Biology and a Master’s in Epidemiology from Universidad
Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), as well as a PhD in Public Health from the
University of California, San Diego (USA). He is currently an Associate
Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Health Innovation Lab at UPCH. He
believes that while technological tools are advancing rapidly, they are not
always accessible or applied where they could have the greatest impact.
“Climate
change, human migration, and urban expansion are creating new challenges for
controlling infectious diseases. Yet, most of the methods we use for disease
control haven’t been updated in over 50 years. The main motivation for this
work is to expand our current tools to benefit vulnerable communities, who will
bear the brunt of climate change,” he explains.
To achieve
this, Drones4Health uses drones to gather data. “That’s the
innovation here. Drones have typically been used in sectors like agriculture,
mining, and maritime operations. We’re using them to enhance the spatial
resolution of local environmental and topographic metrics that directly impact
human health,” says the epidemiologist. To date, the initiative has collected:
Over 200,000 high-resolution images using thermal and multispectral drones,
approximately 21,000 minutes of acoustic recordings from local communities and
more than 1 million weather data points.
This rich
dataset has been used to train over 15 AI models and fuel a web-based platform
accessible to public health officials. The initiative collaborates with
multiple government entities, including The National Meteorology and Hydrology
Service (SENAMHI), The National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and
Control, The National Institute of Health, The Regional Health Bureau of Loreto
(GERESA), As well as other regional governments
Drones4Health
was recently featured in The Washington Post for its groundbreaking work in
tracking disease outbreaks in the Peruvian Amazon. With a strong background in
research and dozens of published papers, Gabriel Carrasco-Escobar has been
recognized as one of the 35 Innovators Under 35 by MIT Technology Review in Spanish.
