Universities Form Bond Over Global Health
09/18/2009
Bobbi Nodell finds universities are making global health a priority
A historic surge of student idealism and funding are coming together to create a historic moment in time for global health and universities across North America have answered the call.
Representatives from 58 universities met at NIH in September for the inaugural meeting of The Consortium of Universities for Global Health, a consortium formed to make universities a transforming force in global health.
One of the speakers, former U.S. Rep. John Porter (R-IL), now a high-profile lobbyist, said universities need to put academic assets in great focus and move expeditiously to take advantage of this moment in time when politics are on the side of global health.
Porter said the PEPFAR initiative told the world that the United States cares. "We need to build on the lessons learned from PEPFAR," he said.
The overwhelming message from the conference was that solving some of the world's most complex problems is a priority not only among universities but with the U.S. government.
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the NIH, talked about how global health is one of the top five priorities for NIH. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, special advisor on health policy for the Office of Management and Budget, talked about the huge U.S. commitment to global health ($63b for 2009-2014 up from $27b from 2003-2008).
And five university presidents - Robert A. Brown of Boston University, Richard H. Brodhead of Duke University, James W. Wagner of Emory University, Ronald J. Daniels of Johns Hopkins University, and Mark A. Emmert of the University of Washington - participated in a two-hour panel discussion on the importance of global health on campus - not only in playing a pivotal role in reducing health disparities but in pushing universities into an era of interdisciplinary education.
The presidents noted the struggle now for universities is defining what global health is not and breaking down barriers to working across disciplines. Making global health local was also a dominant theme and Brodhead said he would like to see more of Duke University's students serving local communities.
Participants heard an exciting panel on "Interdisciplinary Innovations" featuring presentations from Duke, McGill, Case Western Reserve, Berkeley and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. For example, Jody Heymann from McGill has looked at social conditions leading to poor health, i.e., unpaid sick leave, and has established several databases looking at antecedents of health (child policy, education, equity and discrimination).
Also, universities shared ideas in global health, including a presentation by USC Professor Health Wipfli on creating sophisticated learning games for global health.
"Virtually the entire range of university expertise is now engaged in addressing the global disparities in health and development," said a statement signed by eight university presidents calling on policy makers and others to use the global health resources at universities.
For more on the meeting, including survey results showing a doubling of the number of undergraduate and graduate students in global health programs during just the last three years, go to http://www.cugh.org.
Bobbi Nodell is a communications specialist for the University of Washington's Department of Global Health and a former journalist.
This is such a small thing but all University students interested in global health could take a stand with one dollar through 34 Million Friends of the UN Population Fund. I’ve spoken about this at the University of Washington’s Dept. of Global Health. http://www.34millionfriends.org This is a wonderful development, all this interest in global health and the Global Health Council is on the cutting edge! Chapter 8 of Kristof’s and Wudunn’s new book is Jane Roberts and Her 34 Million Friends!
— Jane Roberts on 2009-09-21
I am so please global health is being addressed at universities. Now, they must not forget the significant role nurses play in health care delivery systems. Physicians discovered that when they provide medical missionary work, they leave, their work is not sustained unless nurses are involved in these initiatives.
Nurses are at the bedside, nurses view with patients with a holistic perspective, nurses teach and understand patients.
— Lynne Chase on 2009-09-21
I have seen firsthand the amazing groundswell of student interest and dedication for global health equity as a recent grad of Northwestern University. I just wanted to share an organization that is working to catalyze and harness this growing energy and enthusiasm at universities across the country.
GlobeMed (http://www.globemed.org) is a network of university students who partner with grassroots organizations around the world to improve the health of the impoverished. Through their involvement today, students commit to a life of leadership in global health and social justice.
The GlobeMed Network currently includes 19 chapters at university campuses throughout the country and a national office in Evanston, IL. The grassroots organizations supported by GlobeMed chapters span the world from Mexico to Nepal.
Feel free to email me with any questions!
Jon
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
— Jon Shaffer on 2009-10-09