Halloween highlights
From costumes to pumpkins, WGHA member organizations conjured up a bewitching Halloween last month! Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center shared creative staff costumes and showed how scientists take on a pumpkin carving challenge. University of Washington also hosted a pumpkin carving competition and presented the winners for People’s Choice, Most Original, All in the Details, and Best Group Effort!
Running for health
Research indicates that running has the potential to bolster your immune system, but the level of intensity during your run plays a key role in this effect. UW Medicine shares insights on the best intensity level for runners looking to strengthen their immune system, tips for marathon enthusiasts on how to prevent yourself from getting sick, and guidance on the appropriate waiting period before resuming your running routine following an illness.
RSV insights
As cold and flu season approaches, Seattle Children’s discusses the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on infants and young children. For healthy individuals, infection with RSV usually only results in cold symptoms, but for some (especially young children and older adults) it can lead to bronchiolitis, asthma, or pneumonia. Dr. Tony Woodward, medical director of emergency medicine at Seattle Children’s, provides important information for parents and caregivers on RSV symptoms, risks, and how to keep your family and loved ones as healthy as possible this year.
The great resignation
Women in Global Health shares their new report, The Great Resignation: Why Women Health Workers Are Leaving. Women health workers are leaving their jobs in unprecedented numbers—this report takes an in-depth look at the phenomenon, uncovers the reasons women are leaving, and explores possible solutions based on gender transformative change to prevent and revert this crisis. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of challenges faced by women health workers, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
Caregiver gratitude
November is National Family Caregivers month. In honor of those supporting a loved one, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center shares five essential self-care strategies for caregivers. Fred Hutch stresses the importance of checking in with yourself as a caregiver and making sure you are taking care of your own needs, as well as those of the person you are caring for. Emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and validating your emotional experiences, the article also provides valuable resources for those in need of some additional support.
Xchanging ideas
Elana Robertson, director of WGHA’s Global Health Innovation Xchange, recently presented at the 5th International Clinical Engineering and Health Technology Management Congress. The event, hosted by our Strategic Partner, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone Limited, in Visakhapatnam, India, centered around the life cycle of health technology and lessons learned during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robertson also had the honor of speaking at the World Health Innovation Forum and sharing the impactful work of the Xchange in a session titled "Attracting Resources Supporting the Scale-Up of Innovations through Innovation Investment Cases." This forum brought together stakeholders from government and World Health Organization member countries, academia, start-up accelerators, innovation funders, champions, and key players in the innovation value chain. The discussions revolved around addressing unresolved challenges and questions related to public-sector uptake and scaling of innovations, including procurement, funding, and assessment of different types of innovations. Robertson's participation in these events highlights the Xchange’s commitment to advancing impactful solutions and fostering collaboration within the global health community.
Around the community
Nov. 18: Get your tickets now for the Seattle Festival of Trees Gala at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel for dinner, auctions, tree viewings, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit Seattle Children’s Uncompensated Care and Autism Center.
Nov. 30 & Dec. 7: Don’t miss Global Washington’s 2023 Goalmakers Annual Conference. This virtual and in-person meeting convenes “Goalmakers” whose work advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme is Advancing Transformative Philanthropy.
Dec. 5: Attend Hitech Advisors’ Healthcare 2030 – AI Driven Transformation, sponsored by JPM Private Bank, where a panel of experts and leaders will share their perspectives on how AI will transform health care into 2030, including in diagnosis and treatment, drug discovery and innovation, disease elimination, and data and analytics.
Dec. 6: Save the date for the Women in Global Health Seattle’s Q4 gathering! More details to follow soon! Sign up to receive updates on WGH Seattle events and activities.
Dec. 6: Join the We Work for Health team and community partners for a night of holiday cheer! The celebration at the Arctic Club Hotel in Seattle includes refreshments and light appetizers.