Disasters and ongoing deprivation mark the first years of this new century. Just consider Haiti’s earthquake, Pakistan’s flood, Somalia’s war, and North Korea’s hunger. The heartening response from many is to donate our personal time, talent, and treasures to provide rescue and assistance to those in distress in the world’s most impoverished communities. Just […]
Are you familiar with the Millennium Development Goals? It’s an important question, because of the tight relationship between physical health and overall economic and educational status. This initiative by the WHO and other whole bodies has eight essentials aims: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education, Goal 3: Promote
Everyone connected with healthcare knows that one of the most vulnerable periods in life is the first five years. That’s when so very many children succumb to infectious disease, often predisposed by underlying malnutrition. Understandably, the emphasis of programs in international public health and international medicine is heavily on well child care, vaccination, and early
This year is one marked by disasters and ongoing deprivation. Just consider Haiti’s earthquake, Pakistan’s flood, and Zimbabwe’s chronic crisis. The heartening response of many is to donate of their personal time, talent, and treasures to rescue those acute distress. Just look at the thousands of healthcare professionals volunteering for short-term medical missions! But
Cultural competence is our ability to cooperate effectively with people of different cultures. This is especially important in the increasingly complex cultural milieu of healthcare, whether set in Kansas City or Sri Lanka. Consider the case of Kate, a nurse practitioner at an urban safety net clinic in North America. Kate is interviewing a distinctly
The heartening North American response to Haiti’s earthquake has tragically not been replicated in the case of Pakistan. With twenty percent of the nation underwater, some 1100 people known dead, and four million now homeless, this catastrophe ranks among the worse in modern times. Yet extreme distance and unfamiliarity cause most in our midst
INMED is continually approached by universities that are scrambling to provide global health training and service opportunities. What is driving this demand? YOU CHOOSE: A = Student interest B = The Gates Foundation C = Inspiring role model D = University professors Indeed, the wave of demand for curriculum in global health
I am aghast tonight over the tragic news of a British physician, Karen Woo, and ten other aid workers killed this week by gunmen in an ambush in a remote area of northern Afghanistan. The team was on site working at an eye clinic they had earlier established. In fact, in 2003 their organization
In Bangladesh forty years ago one infant in five died during the first year. Today, only one infant in twenty dies. WHAT is the reason for this progress? You choose: A = Childhood vaccinations B = General economic development C = National health insurance D = Malaria prevention In his provocative book
What is the best formula for physical health? Actually, it depends upon whom you ask. People of some Asian cultures think that to be healthy they must eat snake, do Tai Chi, worship their ancestors, and never, ever give blood. Those from particular African cultures believe to be healthy they must eat a special