Monday, February 09, 2009
Global health begins at home
The concept of global medicine has recently become a popular area of interest for physicians and other health care professionals. It involves international cooperation in an effort to improve world health.
Interestingly, the United States has been a beneficiary of global medicine. American medical schools do not produce sufficient numbers of physicians to meet the health needs of this country. Rural and impoverished regions are where the shortage is most acute.
International medical graduates have been recruited to provide care in underserved areas of our country for decades. Many medical students from around the world, encouraged by organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health and The Haitian Health Foundation, are choosing to spend part of their lives in the third world.
Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, a local orthodontist and founder of the Haitian Health Foundation, has been involved in global medicine for 27 years.
“I believe our greatest single impact in Haiti has been improving the maternal mortality rates,” Lowney said.
The Center of Hope, built by the Haitian Health Foundation, provides pre- and post-natal care for Haitian women.
Saint George’s University in the Caribbean has pioneered the field of global medicine for the past 30 years. Students from 140 countries have the opportunity to work together in the schools of Medicine, Veterinary Science and Public Health.
“Our students come from many diverse cultures brought together by a strong desire and dedication to help others,” said Dr. Calum Macpherson, Vice Provost for International Programs at Saint George’s. Electives in Kenya, Prague and Cambodia have proven to be very popular.
In a 2003 poll, more than 20% of all graduating American medical students reported having an international health experience during their training.
Dr. Stephanie Davis, a University of Michigan resident in pediatrics and medicine, said it best when quoting the motto of the Global Health Council: “There is no ‘them.’ There is only ‘us’.”
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org, comment on their blog or buy his book at backushospital.org.
Interestingly, the United States has been a beneficiary of global medicine. American medical schools do not produce sufficient numbers of physicians to meet the health needs of this country. Rural and impoverished regions are where the shortage is most acute.
International medical graduates have been recruited to provide care in underserved areas of our country for decades. Many medical students from around the world, encouraged by organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health and The Haitian Health Foundation, are choosing to spend part of their lives in the third world.
Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, a local orthodontist and founder of the Haitian Health Foundation, has been involved in global medicine for 27 years.
“I believe our greatest single impact in Haiti has been improving the maternal mortality rates,” Lowney said.
The Center of Hope, built by the Haitian Health Foundation, provides pre- and post-natal care for Haitian women.
Saint George’s University in the Caribbean has pioneered the field of global medicine for the past 30 years. Students from 140 countries have the opportunity to work together in the schools of Medicine, Veterinary Science and Public Health.
“Our students come from many diverse cultures brought together by a strong desire and dedication to help others,” said Dr. Calum Macpherson, Vice Provost for International Programs at Saint George’s. Electives in Kenya, Prague and Cambodia have proven to be very popular.
In a 2003 poll, more than 20% of all graduating American medical students reported having an international health experience during their training.
Dr. Stephanie Davis, a University of Michigan resident in pediatrics and medicine, said it best when quoting the motto of the Global Health Council: “There is no ‘them.’ There is only ‘us’.”
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, is Chief of Neurology at The William W. Backus Hospital with a private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org, comment on their blog or buy his book at backushospital.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 11:57 AM 
Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home
<< Home
