The info hub for the hub of global health
A genius, a countdown, and a big pledge
Last year, the June edition of Field Notes highlighted Trevor Bedford of Fred Hutch and his popular science-based tweets about COVID-19.
This year, he’s been named a MacArthur Fellow to recognize his innovative work on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Learn more about the MacArthur “genius grant” recipient in this short video.
Research & recovery
One of the mysteries around COVID-19 is “Long COVID”—the long-term effects of the virus that can be persistent, relapsing, or changing. The National Institutes of Health formed an initiative called Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) and named RTI International as the Administrative Coordinating Center. The initiative will gather tens of thousands of diverse participants to better understand symptoms, effects, treatment, and prevention. We hope to say “so long” to Long COVID.
One BBQ at a time
Building trust is key in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Partners In Health is working with youth outreach workers in hard-hit Chicago neighborhoods through the Chicagoland Vaccine Partnership. The outreach workers from the Antioch Community Social Service Agency (ACSSA) are meeting people where they are—from BBQs to town halls to home visits—to build trust, answer questions, and register interested community members for vaccinations. In the first six weeks, ACSSA’s outreach led to over 350 vaccinations.
The countdown is on!
Only a few days until WGHA’s first-ever virtual Global Health Impact Awards! If you didn’t grab your tickets yet, be sure to register for one of three ticket levels, then tune in on Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 pm PT to shine the spotlight on global health! We’ll be honoring eleven finalists and announcing three winners. You can follow along our YouTube live chat or Twitter chat during the event, and use #GHImpactAwards to participate.
Take a chance
In its first year, Panorama’s Upswing Fund has awarded $10.8 million in grants to organizations that serve youth who are of color and/or LGBTQ+. It released a report with insights gathered from nearly 350 organizations that applied for grants. Two major recommendations: take a chance on giving to smaller, growing organizations and provide general operating support without the restrictions.
Big goal, big pledge
Malnutrition rates are increasing, but nutrition aid is decreasing. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is stepping up and encouraging others to do the same. It pledged $922 million over the next five years to address global nutrition. The funding will go to areas where the needs are the greatest.
Zoomin’ around town
Now to Nov. 19: Apply to join the 2022 US cohort of WomenLift Health’s Leadership Journey. The Leadership Journey is a fully funded, year-long experience for mid-career women leaders in global health.
Oct. 14: Join Northwest Association for Biomedical Research for the 2021 Virtual Communication Workshop featuring speakers from Fred Hutch, Mighty Media Studios, and Resource Media, among other experts.
Oct. 15: Participate in Science Friday, presented by Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, for an overview of BRI’s work on the immune system and COVID-19, followed by an update from one of its top scientists about type 1 diabetes.
Anytime
Listen to the new Vax Up Podcast, hosted by the Bay Area Global Health Alliance, exploring the power of social media to strengthen vaccine confidence and shape health behaviors.
“To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is—living not just for oneself, but for one’s community.”
–US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in a 2017 speech at Stanford University