Prof. Laetus O.K. Lategan
Prof. Laetus Lategan

NRF RATINGC3
POSITIONResearch Education and Postgraduate Development within the Research, Innovation and Engagement Division

QUALIFICATIONSPhD (Philosophy), DTh (Dogmatics), PhD (Community Health), SA.

PORTFOLIOProf. Lategan’s research in healthcare examines how social determinants affect elderly individuals. The significance of social determinants in health is based on the World Health Organization’s definition, namely as the “conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, age and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life” (2024, https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health). The negative impact of social determinants contributes to the vulnerability of elderly people.
The vulnerability of elderly individuals is examined within the broader context of community and public health, shaped by policy, global health, technological and social ideologies, and the intersection of health and faith.His research focuses on six key aspects of elderly care:
1. What social determinants contribute to the vulnerability of elderly individuals?
2. What are the ethical implications of these social determinants for the elderly community?
3. What policies are needed to address these social determinants?
4. What challenges do elderly individuals face at the end of life?
5. How does care ethics contribute to elderly care?
6. Are new ethical codes and practices necessary for elderly care, considering the concept of "One Health" and the impact of AI on healthcare?

In addition to his research in healthcare, Prof. Lategan examines how the professoriate, postgraduate research, publication literacy, and research ethics are shaping universities of technology.
AREAS OF EXPERTISEPublic health
Community Health
Healthcare
Medical ethics
Vulnerable groups
PUBLICATIONS
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Van Zyl, G.J. & Kruger, W.H. 2022. Building blocks for a public health ethics framework for the geriatric community. South African Family Practice. 64(1), a5414. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp. v64i1.5414
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Van Zyl, G.J. & Kruger, W.H. 2022. What is public health ethics for the geriatric community? Health SA Gesondheid 27(0), a1824. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1824
  • Lategan, L.O.K. & Kokt, D. 2022. Workplace spirituality: The fifth gospel for the modern workplace? KOERS — Bulletin for Christian Scholarship, 87(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.87.1.2535
  • Lategan, L.O.K. 2022. Ageing – a growing (health) challenge with ethical consequences. Advice from the World Health Organization. TCW 58(2): 143-164. https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/tcw/
  • Lategan, L.O.K. 2022. Die etiek van geriatriese versorging: Is daar genoeg riglyne beskikbaar vir die publieke gesondheidsorg? TCW 58(4): 123-147. https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/tcw/
  • Lategan, L.O.K. 2023. Bioethics in the context of Christian scholarship: Time for a new discussion in TCW 59 (4): 147 – 164. https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/tcw
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Van Zyl, G.J. & Kruger, W.H. 2023. What social determinants will cause ethical challenges in geriatric care? Comments from South Africa. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(5). doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2023.2252.
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Nel, E.P. & Bitzer, E.M. 2023. A critical view on doctoral supervisor capacity development at a South African University of Technology. Journal for New Generation Sciences Vol 21 No 1: 86-98. doi.org/10.47588/jngs.2023.21.01.
  • Lategan, L.O.K. & Van der Merwe, A.F. 2023. Ethical guidelines for using bioprinting for humans. MATEC Web of Conferences. 388. 10.1051/matecconf/202338810005. eISSN: 2261-236X
  • Lategan, L.O.K. 2024. Observations from elderly care: What ethical considerations are essential in public health? TCW 60(4): 157-175.
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Van Zyl, G.J. & Kruger, W.H., 2024. A public health ethics framework for the older community: A South African perspective. KOERS — Bulletin for Christian Scholarship, 89(1). https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.89.1.2548
  • Lategan, L.O.K., Swart, C. & Kokt, D. 2025. Publication literacy: Editors’ advice on the successful submission and acceptance of a journal article. Journal of Inquiry Based Activities (Araştırma Temelli Etkinlik Dergisi), Vol 15, Special Issue, p. 106-123.https://www.ated.info.tr/index.php/ated/article/view/255 
PRESENTED CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPSLategan, L.O.K. 2024. A Framework for STEM Ethics Education in South Africa: Holding Values Paramount. In: Hildt, E., Laas, K., Brey, E.M., Miller, C.Z. (eds) Building Inclusive Ethical Cultures in STEM. The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology, vol 42. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51560-6_6

Lategan, L.O.K., Bitzer, E.M., & Swart, C. 2025. Building African University Capacity through Research Output: The case of one South African University of Technology. In Langa, P. and Kaldeway, D. (Editors). Negotiating the Fabric of the African University: Global Narratives and Local Models. Leiden: Brill. 175-198.https://doi.org.10.1163/9789004722705_010

Von Baer, R. & Lategan, L.O.K. 2025. Attaining planetary health: is technology-supported healthcare a/the solution? A perspective from the Global North and the Global South. In Kolja Tobias Heckes, Mariya Lorke, Marcel Siegler, Kamil J. Wronabook (Editors). Soziotechnische Transformationen im Sozial- und Gesundheitswesen: kollaborativ, divers, barrierefrei und sozialräumlich. Beltz Juventa. 200 – 216. https://www.beltz.de/fachmedien/soziologie.html

EXTERNAL PROFILESLinkedIn
ResearchGate
Google Scholar
OrcID

Contact Us
  • Prof. Laetus Lategan
  • Tel:
  • llategan@cut.ac.za