The info hub for the hub of global health
Bear necessities
Washington State University researcher Joanna Kelley is looking for a solution to diabetes in humans from an unlikely source—grizzly bears. By studying their metabolic transition between hibernation and active seasons, she hopes to find new approaches to treating diabetes and potentially advance research on obesity, heart disease, and cancer. We can learn a lot from bears.
Bank investment
With limited access to blood bank facilities, supplies, and trained medical staff, women in Sierra Leone face a 1 in 20 lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth. Partners In Health (PIH) is working with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health to support a Koidu Government Hospital blood bank.
PIH upgraded equipment, installed a generator, strengthened the supply chain, and provided refresher blood transfusion training to staff. The staff now hold regular blood drives and save lives with the blood they have on hand. This investment is already paying off.
Happy campers
Camp Ten Trees is not your average summer camp with Capture the Flag and s’mores—this inclusive camp also offers programs for LGBTQ+ youth. Swedish supports the program to address the health disparities facing LGBTQ+ youth. Campers learn about social justice and health issues that impact their lives from volunteers and staff with lived experience. No wonder this PNW camp is drawing youth from across the country and the world.
P.S. Check out these tips for supporting LGBTQ+ youth from Seattle Children’s.
Meteorology meets malaria
Malaria No More is taking a proactive approach to handling malaria outbreaks. It recently launched the India Interagency Expert Committee on Malaria and Climate. In this collaboration, experts from health, climate, and tech fields are working to create climate-based malaria models to help predict, prevent, and manage outbreaks in India. The goal: malaria-free India by 2030.
Pumping iron
For preschool kids in India, a boost in nutrients means a boost in IQ points. Grow Smart, a study by RTI International, showed that students who had micronutrients added to their meals made gains in language, social-emotional development, and inhibitory control. They also showed decreases in anemia and iron deficiency. With a sprinkle of micronutrient powder, these kids are more ready to take on the school day.
Social media for good
Social media is a main source of news for many people, even about important health topics. That’s why the Bay Area Global Health Alliance and leaders in tech, health care, global development, and academic sectors are coming together to study how the global community can use social media to improve health outcomes in a new collaboration: the Alliance for Advancing Health Online.
With a strong focus on historically marginalized communities, the partners have created an independent global research fund to build knowledge on countering vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccine equity. #VaccinesSaveLives
Zoomin' around town
Who do you know that’s a rising star or luminary leader? How about an impactful organization? Now’s the time to nominate them for WGHA’s inaugural Global Health Impact Awards! Submit your nominations by 5:00 pm PT on July 16, then join us on October 14 to find out the winners.
Now–Aug. 24: Pick your favorite exercise and raise funds for cancer research during Fred Hutch’s Obliteride event.
June 30: Join Malaria Partners International and PATH for The Malaria Vaccine, A Bold Frontier.
July 21: Join Medical Teams International to watch and discuss the film, The Crossing, for a Healthy Women, Healthy World summer movie discussion with the director.
Anytime
Read Forum One’s tips on authentic DEI in messaging.
Listen to the Black Birth Empowerment Initiative podcast episode featuring Swedish.
"In short, the world needs an extraordinary response to an extraordinary moment—one that both brings substantially more resources to development and channels that funding toward uses that will drive a more equitable economic recovery."
–Gargee Ghosh, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in her article Time to Go Big: Promoting an Equitable Economic Recovery