The 9th Annual Global Health Day Medical Grand Rounds, “Strategies for Academic Global Engagement: Lessons from the Field,” was presented by Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD, dean and Anna M.R. Lauder Professor of Public Health, Yale School of Public Health and professor of pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine (YSM).
He highlighted social and systematic determinants of health and the necessity for the field of global health. He looked at where the U.S. stands in comparison to other countries and noted that our healthcare system is ‘less effective and less efficient’ than other higher income countries. Vermund talked about challenges in healthcare needs for low- or middle-income countries.
“We recognize that poverty is at the root of much of the poor health of global populations,” stated Vermund. “Nonetheless, progress is being made even in the absence of economic development. Water and sanitation has expanded around the world. Cell phone access has enabled people to be connected. Vaccines and drugs are both widely available in more and more venues. There are many reasons for optimism.”
Vermund cited examples of success in Haiti and Zambia and with the use of vaccines in smallpox and polio. He talked about the important of research in low- or middle-income countries but also cited reasons why this research may not be feasible depending on a variety of constraints. Additionally, he highlighted the work of his global health team in HIV and cervical cancer and discussed global physician training.
To learn more about Vermund’s work and watch yesterday’s Medical Grand Rounds, Yale faculty can review the video.
The 9th Annual Global Health Day Medical Grand Rounds was presented by YSM, the Department of Internal Medicine and The Office of Global Health.