Happy holidays
As the year comes to a close, the Washington Global Health Alliance (WGHA) team would like to extend warm wishes to all our members and partners. We hope this holiday season brings joy, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones. If you’d like to see what WGHA has been up to in 2023, check out our 2023 Year in Review for an overview of this year’s events, collaborations, and milestones.
As we reflect on the year's achievements, we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and are prepared to make an even greater impact in 2024. From all of us at WGHA, best wishes for a happy holiday season and a healthy new year! We’ll see you in 2024!
A screening shift
According to UW Medicine, more than half of all cervical cancers diagnosed in the United States are in people who are overdue for screening or have never been screened. A recent study from the University of Washington and the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute suggests that a straightforward approach—mailing screening kits that detect the presence of HPV (human papillomavirus) directly to patients—can yield remarkable results. The shift toward patient-centered, at-home testing marks a potential improvement in cervical cancer screening practices.
Leaders in global health
Congratulations to Dr. Ebere Okereke, Global Health Partner of WGHA’s XCHANGE and CEO of Africa Public Health Foundation, who was recently profiled for the Lancet. Dr. Okereke is a public health physician with decades of expertise in global health security, health system strengthening, and public health leadership. In the Lancet article, Dr. Okereke speaks on her career, her beliefs on equity and justice, and more.
SPONSORED CONTENT
At the forefront of pediatric medical research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute works to cure disease and improve outcomes for children worldwide
As one of the nation's top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children's Research Institute is dedicated to providing hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.
Since the research institute was founded in 2006, researchers at Seattle Children’s have focused on discovering and improving treatments. Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Seattle Children’s Therapeutics are internationally recognized for their work in cancer therapies, genetics, neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease and bioethics.
Seattle Children’s Research Institute is organized into eight research centers, each one specializing in areas like immunotherapy and child health and behavior.
One of these hubs—the Center for Global Infectious Disease Research—makes transformative scientific advances to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases impacting children and families around the world.
As the largest pediatric infectious disease research program in the United States., their cross-disciplinary team of researchers work to find solutions to infectious diseases that pose risks to our communities and disproportionately impact children and those in poverty.
For example, Dr. Alexis Kaushansky and collaborators recently identified inhibitors that open a new avenue to eliminate relapsing malaria, the hardest-to-treat form of the disease. Their findings set the stage for the development of an anti-malarial treatment targeting the developing and dormant forms of infection. Researchers believe approaches aimed at multiple stages of the parasitic life cycle may be the most robust approach to malaria eradication.
Dr. Rhea Coler and her team funnel tuberculosis vaccine and therapy candidates from lab to human studies. This focus has led to two TB vaccines currently in Phase 2 clinical testing. Another of her projects takes aim at drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB by developing mycobacteriophage-based (viruses that can infect and kill bacteria) treatments. Such therapies could provide an alternative to conventional TB treatments, potentially offering a nontoxic treatment option.
To learn more about Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the diverse, lifesaving work of their researchers, visit their website.
Xchanging ideas
We are happy to announce our newest Global Health Partner of the Global Health Innovation XCHANGE—Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF). Launched in September 2019, the APFH was founded to work alongside the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to accelerate a shared commitment toward a safer, healthier, and more productive and prosperous Africa. Learn more about the work the APHF is doing and please join us in welcoming our newest member!
We would also like to announce a new section on our website, Xchanging Ideas, where you can find all the latest in WGHA’s XCHANGE news.
Around the community
Dec. 18: Register now for Fred Hutch's next virtual Global Oncology Lecture Series seminar with guest speaker Dr. Eric Ford, who will present: “The Global Impact of Emerging Innovations in Radiation Oncology.”