Wuqu Kawoq SA

Research: In order to provide health interventions with the highest impact and that create long lasting behavior change towards better health, we empirically investigate chronic disease in Guatemala and the effects of our program interventions. The data serves as a guide for us to start new programs, scale up existing programs, or seek to find a new solution to an old program. The center for indigenous health research, founded by Wuqu Kawoq, is a leader in global health research. In 2025 we published 12 research papers in areas including prenatal care, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, covid vaccines, and cervical cancer. A complete listing of our publications since our founding is located on our website. Through the end of 2025 we have over 130 peer-reviewed publications covering a range of topics including chronic malnutrition, food security, non-communicable diseases, development and gender equity in health, early child development, family planning, midwifery, and emergency obstetrics and medical anthropology.

Women's Health: We define women's health in the broadest sense possible. In addition to high-quality cervical cancer screening and prenatal care, we also offer management of sexually transmitted infections, family planning services, and treatment of all cancers that commonly affect women. We know women have diverse medical needs, so our program also includes the provision of robust primary care. We have developed specific expertise in the screening, diagnosis, referral, and treatment of cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of death in Guatemala. Our obstetrics initiatives focus on reduction of maternal mortality through high-quality prenatal care, midwife education, and the use of technology to make childbirth safer. The foundation of our women's health program is providing classes in Mayan languages that, when integrated with our nutrition initiatives, help women have healthier pregnancies, children, and lives. At the end of 2025 we served 11,614 women.