I am currently taking Epidemiology and Impact of HIV/AIDS with Dr Homayoon Farzadegan. As part of the course students present following a guest lecture.
My topic is "future issues" and in my allotted time I have chosen to present the Partner's in Health community health worker model as the future is already here. The argument is founded on my belief that addressing HIV/AIDS is based on three pillars: health, education, and jobs.
I've shadowed Partners in Health community health workers (CHW) in rural Rwanda and seen the central role they play in the community. As scholarly support for their strengths, I have relied heavily on a great journal article by JS Mukhurjee. Her study showed CHW increase access to hard to reach people, increase the social capital within the community, and act as successful referral agents.
In the face of a global recession and restructuring of PEPFAR funds, horizontal programs that integrate and strengthen health systems pose a real path forward. A leader in this field is Rwanda. They have chosen to scale up the Partner's in Health CHW model as their rural health system. Perhaps, no one explains it best then former President Bill Clinton at the 2007 TED Wish talk.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Follow Up to Round Table
1st Round Table Update
Although I couldn't find a round table, the hour long event was full of active discussion and back and forth open exchanges regarding human rights as a means or goal of development and the role of international funds in low and middle income countries.
One specific question posed that generated a great dialogue was what should the priority be for international funds.
Over 20 people attended the inaugural event ranging from MHS, MPH and PhD candidates from Hopkins spanning US and international physicians, former Peace Corps members, and current medical students.
Given the positive response I am in the process of planning and piecing together the next Round Table.
Although I couldn't find a round table, the hour long event was full of active discussion and back and forth open exchanges regarding human rights as a means or goal of development and the role of international funds in low and middle income countries.
One specific question posed that generated a great dialogue was what should the priority be for international funds.
Over 20 people attended the inaugural event ranging from MHS, MPH and PhD candidates from Hopkins spanning US and international physicians, former Peace Corps members, and current medical students.
Given the positive response I am in the process of planning and piecing together the next Round Table.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
1st Round Table Talk
Monday (Tomorrow) 12:15-1:15pm W4019
The JHSPH Health and Human Rights Student Group will be hosting their first Round Table talk tomorrow at 12:15pm in room W4019. Round Tables will occur at least once a month and will follow a simple pattern - a short TED style video and then discussion. No lecturing but ideas, experiences, and points of view are welcome!
We will be screening a portion of a provocative Hans Rosling Ted Talk as a launch pad into a student led open discussion on health, human rights, and development. Afterwards, you'll believe the seemingly impossible is possible.
Food won't be provided, but a thought provoking atmosphere will.
Have an idea or video to share? For now send it over at MarcoAmbrosio32(at)Gmail.com or @Marcoambrosio
(We showed from the 10:30 minute mark onward)
Questions to discuss:
Do you agree/disagree with the + marks?
Is Human Rights a means or a goal? What about government?
Where should donor funds and local government funds be spent? Is there a priority?
The JHSPH Health and Human Rights Student Group will be hosting their first Round Table talk tomorrow at 12:15pm in room W4019. Round Tables will occur at least once a month and will follow a simple pattern - a short TED style video and then discussion. No lecturing but ideas, experiences, and points of view are welcome!
We will be screening a portion of a provocative Hans Rosling Ted Talk as a launch pad into a student led open discussion on health, human rights, and development. Afterwards, you'll believe the seemingly impossible is possible.
Food won't be provided, but a thought provoking atmosphere will.
Have an idea or video to share? For now send it over at MarcoAmbrosio32(at)Gmail.com or @Marcoambrosio
(We showed from the 10:30 minute mark onward)
Questions to discuss:
Do you agree/disagree with the + marks?
Is Human Rights a means or a goal? What about government?
Where should donor funds and local government funds be spent? Is there a priority?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Dr. Mark Rosenberg - Real Collaboration
Guest Lecture from President & CEO of The Task Force for Global Health
"Collaborative partnerships have the best chance for success when members lay the foundation in the first mile for the last mile success and take mutual responsibility along the journey for leadership, management, and culture within the partnership."
Dr Mark Rosenberg MD MPP, author of Real Collaboration, guest lectured our "Making Change through Policy" course and focused on the art of collaboration. The Task Force for Global Health works with private and public sector partners to address health issues for the most vulnerable populations. Among many things, the task force currently leads the Global Polio Eradication initiative and is credited for creating "Pharmaco-Philanthropy". There were three take aways from Dr Rosenberg's lecture that can be summarized as one story, one line, and one list.
The Story
Dr. Bill Foege MD MPH, the epidemiologist who designed the global intervention strategy to eradicate smallpox, was the first head of the task force. In 1987, Merck approached Foege about donating Mectizan, a drug whose off label use reduces morbidity and transmission of river blindness. Mectizan is better known to animal lovers as Heartguard - a common medication for dogs. Merck was making enough profits on animal sales to donate large quantities for off label use. Coalition leaders fearing the partnership and backlash of working with the pharmaceutical companies advised Foege to not accept the offer. True to what I've come to learn about Dr. Bill Foege, he did it anyway; establishing what is called "Pharmaco-Philantropy". Twenty-five years later the program is responsible for treating millions and its continued efforts have made eradicating river blindness a feasible end goal.
The Line
"Collaborations are like marriages. Easy to get into and hard to make work"
The List - "The Initial Barriers: Seven Cs"
1. Culture – corporate, religion, location
2. Conflicting Goals – need to settle on the goal, a very clear goal
3. Confusion – about roles and responsibility
4. Control – no one wants to give it up (personal and organizational)
5. Capabilities – everyone has different skills, strengths and resources
6. Competition - who is going to get the credit, who is the biggest
7. Costs – people don’t factor in the costs (money and time)
"Collaborative partnerships have the best chance for success when members lay the foundation in the first mile for the last mile success and take mutual responsibility along the journey for leadership, management, and culture within the partnership."
Dr Mark Rosenberg MD MPP, author of Real Collaboration, guest lectured our "Making Change through Policy" course and focused on the art of collaboration. The Task Force for Global Health works with private and public sector partners to address health issues for the most vulnerable populations. Among many things, the task force currently leads the Global Polio Eradication initiative and is credited for creating "Pharmaco-Philanthropy". There were three take aways from Dr Rosenberg's lecture that can be summarized as one story, one line, and one list.
The Story
Dr. Bill Foege MD MPH, the epidemiologist who designed the global intervention strategy to eradicate smallpox, was the first head of the task force. In 1987, Merck approached Foege about donating Mectizan, a drug whose off label use reduces morbidity and transmission of river blindness. Mectizan is better known to animal lovers as Heartguard - a common medication for dogs. Merck was making enough profits on animal sales to donate large quantities for off label use. Coalition leaders fearing the partnership and backlash of working with the pharmaceutical companies advised Foege to not accept the offer. True to what I've come to learn about Dr. Bill Foege, he did it anyway; establishing what is called "Pharmaco-Philantropy". Twenty-five years later the program is responsible for treating millions and its continued efforts have made eradicating river blindness a feasible end goal.
The Line
"Collaborations are like marriages. Easy to get into and hard to make work"
The List - "The Initial Barriers: Seven Cs"
1. Culture – corporate, religion, location
2. Conflicting Goals – need to settle on the goal, a very clear goal
3. Confusion – about roles and responsibility
4. Control – no one wants to give it up (personal and organizational)
5. Capabilities – everyone has different skills, strengths and resources
6. Competition - who is going to get the credit, who is the biggest
7. Costs – people don’t factor in the costs (money and time)
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