Clinical Professor Morten Sodemann divides his time between teaching and researching global and migrant health at SDU and working as a senior physician at Odense University Hospital (OUH), a position he has held for over 20 years. With expertise in infectious diseases and global health, his research focuses on areas such as childhood disease management, health systems, the epidemiology of HIV and tuberculosis, and longitudinal demographic health surveillance.
In collaboration with the Bandim Health Project, Morten Sodemann completed a PhD in West Africa, focusing on health systems and investigating the causes of child deaths from treatable and preventable diseases. This research involved working with over 400 parents who had lost a child and conducting interviews to understand the systemic health issues contributing to these tragedies. Since then, Morten has been analysing the interactions between patients, their families, healthcare professionals and the wider healthcare system, and identifying the barriers and factors perpetuating inequalities in these encounters. The findings from this work have inspired the creation of a Migrant Health Clinic at OUH in Denmark, which aims to apply these lessons to contexts in wealthier nations. Professor Morten Sodemann says that despite differences in expression, many of the fundamental challenges are remarkably similar across settings, leading to inequalities that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on their personal capabilities and the dynamics of their relationships with health care providers. The Migrant Clinic was set up to reduce inequalities in hospital care for ethnic minority patients and operates under the Infectious Diseases Department at OUH.
As part of his work on migration and cross-cultural health, clinical professor Morten Sodemann supervises several PhD students investigating the specific needs of minority patients at the Migrant Health Clinic. Some of these students focus on linguistic analysis, examining how bilingual conversations influence health outcomes, while others focus on understanding palliative care practices and challenges within minority communities. Through this mentorship, Morten continues to advance research that addresses health disparities and improves care for underrepresented groups.
To address migrant health, Professor Morten Sodemann and his research group primarily use qualitative studies to explore the field in depth, alongside case series to identify key issues and recurring themes for improving health outcomes for migrant and ethnic minority groups. This combined approach enables them to generate evidence and develop strategies to effectively tackle health inequalities.
Professor Morten Sodemann's career in global health began in 1986 when, as a medical student, he spent a year and a half researching in West Africa with the International Medical Cooperation Committee (IMCC). During this time, he conducted field research in Guinea-Bissau as part of the longitudinal, cohort-based Bandim Health Project. Working closely with anthropologists, Morten reported this initiative as an ideal platform for generating and immediately testing ideas, thanks to its well-documented population. He also highlighted the creative nature of this research approach, emphasising the importance of being close to the community and having a clear understanding of the origins of the data. This formative experience laid the foundation for his innovative approach to global health research.
Morten Sodemann completed both his PhD and post-doctoral training in collaboration with the Bandim Health Project. As well as working on child mortality from preventable causes, he was also involved in a twin cohort study, which he describes as very interesting from an epidemiological point of view. Another pivotal moment in his career was his involvement during the civil war in Guinea-Bissau, where he participated in studies examining the impact of conflict and post-conflict conditions on health and society. Beyond research, Morten Sodemann helped rebuild a university and trained doctoral students to become future educators. This experience became a template for similar initiatives in Northern Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Zambia, where Morten worked with support from Danida to advance global health and education in post-conflict and resource-limited settings.
Despite the critical importance of addressing migrant health inequalities, Professor Sodemann has observed significant challenges in securing research funding in this area. Reflecting on his experience, he notes that it took a decade of persistent effort to secure funding for his first PhD project. These systemic challenges, he explains, reflect wider inequalities in research funding and highlight the need for more inclusive and forward-thinking approaches to supporting work in this vital field.
This perspective on inequalities extends to the opportunities available in global health research. "The world is open to everyone," says Professor Morten Sodemann, reflecting on the opportunities at SDU. However, he points out that success in global health requires not only a strong idea, but also connections to access the desired country. While this responsibility can be exciting for students, it can also put some off global health projects. Students are increasingly opting for global perspectives through literature reviews, often coupled with short visits abroad, although programmes in countries such as Nepal, Uganda and Ghana offer more accessible pathways for deeper collaboration. Morten stresses the importance of seeking guidance from professors with established networks to navigate these opportunities.
In collaboration with the Bandim Health Project, Morten Sodemann completed a PhD in West Africa, focusing on health systems and investigating the causes of child deaths from treatable and preventable diseases. This research involved working with over 400 parents who had lost a child and conducting interviews to understand the systemic health issues contributing to these tragedies. Since then, Morten has been analysing the interactions between patients, their families, healthcare professionals and the wider healthcare system, and identifying the barriers and factors perpetuating inequalities in these encounters. The findings from this work have inspired the creation of a Migrant Health Clinic at OUH in Denmark, which aims to apply these lessons to contexts in wealthier nations. Professor Morten Sodemann says that despite differences in expression, many of the fundamental challenges are remarkably similar across settings, leading to inequalities that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on their personal capabilities and the dynamics of their relationships with health care providers. The Migrant Clinic was set up to reduce inequalities in hospital care for ethnic minority patients and operates under the Infectious Diseases Department at OUH.
As part of his work on migration and cross-cultural health, clinical professor Morten Sodemann supervises several PhD students investigating the specific needs of minority patients at the Migrant Health Clinic. Some of these students focus on linguistic analysis, examining how bilingual conversations influence health outcomes, while others focus on understanding palliative care practices and challenges within minority communities. Through this mentorship, Morten continues to advance research that addresses health disparities and improves care for underrepresented groups.
To address migrant health, Professor Morten Sodemann and his research group primarily use qualitative studies to explore the field in depth, alongside case series to identify key issues and recurring themes for improving health outcomes for migrant and ethnic minority groups. This combined approach enables them to generate evidence and develop strategies to effectively tackle health inequalities.
Professor Morten Sodemann's career in global health began in 1986 when, as a medical student, he spent a year and a half researching in West Africa with the International Medical Cooperation Committee (IMCC). During this time, he conducted field research in Guinea-Bissau as part of the longitudinal, cohort-based Bandim Health Project. Working closely with anthropologists, Morten reported this initiative as an ideal platform for generating and immediately testing ideas, thanks to its well-documented population. He also highlighted the creative nature of this research approach, emphasising the importance of being close to the community and having a clear understanding of the origins of the data. This formative experience laid the foundation for his innovative approach to global health research.
Morten Sodemann completed both his PhD and post-doctoral training in collaboration with the Bandim Health Project. As well as working on child mortality from preventable causes, he was also involved in a twin cohort study, which he describes as very interesting from an epidemiological point of view. Another pivotal moment in his career was his involvement during the civil war in Guinea-Bissau, where he participated in studies examining the impact of conflict and post-conflict conditions on health and society. Beyond research, Morten Sodemann helped rebuild a university and trained doctoral students to become future educators. This experience became a template for similar initiatives in Northern Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Zambia, where Morten worked with support from Danida to advance global health and education in post-conflict and resource-limited settings.
Despite the critical importance of addressing migrant health inequalities, Professor Sodemann has observed significant challenges in securing research funding in this area. Reflecting on his experience, he notes that it took a decade of persistent effort to secure funding for his first PhD project. These systemic challenges, he explains, reflect wider inequalities in research funding and highlight the need for more inclusive and forward-thinking approaches to supporting work in this vital field.
This perspective on inequalities extends to the opportunities available in global health research. "The world is open to everyone," says Professor Morten Sodemann, reflecting on the opportunities at SDU. However, he points out that success in global health requires not only a strong idea, but also connections to access the desired country. While this responsibility can be exciting for students, it can also put some off global health projects. Students are increasingly opting for global perspectives through literature reviews, often coupled with short visits abroad, although programmes in countries such as Nepal, Uganda and Ghana offer more accessible pathways for deeper collaboration. Morten stresses the importance of seeking guidance from professors with established networks to navigate these opportunities.
