Jessica Hanae Zafra-Tanaka is a Peruvian physician with a Master's degree in Epidemiology from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and a PhD in Global Health from the University of Geneva. Her academic and professional journey has been dedicated to addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a particular focus on type 1 diabetes. Her expertise encompasses implementation science, patient engagement, and co-creation methodologies.

Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Geneva, contributing to the Lancet Commission on Type 1 Diabetes. In this role, she coordinates research activities aimed at developing a comprehensive, pragmatic global plan to enhance the quality of life and care for individuals living with type 1 diabetes, taking into account their life course and the health systems designed to meet their needs.

RESEARCH AIMS

Jessica Zafra-Tanaka's research seeks to address the challenges faced by individuals with non-communicable diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes, in accessing comprehensive care. She identifies a gap in health systems that often prioritise clinical outcomes while overlooking psychosocial and systemic factors.

To bridge this gap, she employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods, alongside co-creation techniques, to centre the experiences and needs of patients. Her approach facilitates the identification of outcomes most relevant to individuals living with specific conditions, the co-creation of interventions, and informed decision-making that incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives.

Group website at the Diabetes Centre >>

EXPERTISE

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Co-creation Methodologies

• Patient Engagement

• Implementation Science

• Health Systems Research

• Mixed Methods Research

PUBLICATIONS

• Zafra-Tanaka JH, Del Valle A, Pastrana NA, Miranda JJ, Beran D. Patient relevant outcomes for type 1 diabetes management: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Diabet Med. 2025 Mar 20; e70016. doi: 10.1111/dme.70016.Wiley Online Library

• Zafra-Tanaka JH, Del Valle A, Bernabé-Ortiz A, Miranda JJ, Beran D. Outcomes measured in studies assessing health systems interventions for type 1 diabetes management: A scoping review. Diabet Med. 2024 Feb;41(2):e15223. doi: 10.1111/dme.15223.

• Zafra-Tanaka JH, Almeida G, Andrade Montalvo JE, Anza-Ramirez C, Jauregui J, Perez-Leon S, et al. Involving different stakeholders in prioritising outcomes to assess healthcare systems response for type 1 diabetes management: Using co-creation approaches in Peru. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2024 Nov;39(6):1675–1695. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3821.Wiley Online Library

• Zafra-Tanaka JH, Beran D, Bernabé-Ortiz A. Health system responses for type 1 diabetes: A scoping review. Diabet Med. 2022 Jul;39(7):e14805. doi: 10.1111/dme.14805.

• Zafra-Tanaka JH, Almeida G, Andrade Montalvo JE, Anza-Ramirez C, Jauregui J, Perez-Leon S, et al. COVID-19's impact on type 1 diabetes management: A mixed-methods study exploring the Peruvian experience. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2022 Jul;37(4):1823–1836. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3536.