The Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia addresses a range of global health challenges: HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tuberculosis, hepatitis C, substance abuse, malnutrition, mental health and other threats to health. The Center also focuses on the promotion of health reform and improvement of access to care.

The Center brings together multidisciplinary expertise from Columbia and Central Asia and creates crosscutting partnerships among representatives from government, NGOs, the research community, and academic institutions. Such partnerships are well positioned to train researchers and develop culturally congruent, scientifically based solutions that are also practical. The Center employs science and research to improve the quality of life of people in Central Asia.