World AIDS Week 2008

Announcement for University of Arizona July 2009 Global Health Course

Program Description: The University of Arizona summer course, begun in 1982 and revised annually, is a small group, problem-solving course preparing third and fourth year (North American) medical students* and primary care residents for health care experiences in developing countries. This is a full-time (80 class hours), intensive, interactive course. Multi-disciplinary faculty with clinical experience guide young physicians in adapting clinical skills and WHO public health concepts in resource-poor nations. Visiting students receive six weeks’/one month’s elective credit at their home institute (which must also arrange the actual overseas preceptorship).

Enrollment limited to 30 participants; this allows case-based teaching in 3 groups of 10 students.

Requirements/Procedures are fully explained on our website http://www.globalhealth.arizona.edu. Course designed for students actively planning for a student or professional experience in a developing country. Applicants should be able to document acceptance (pending or final) by appropriate clinical or community health facility in a developing nation.

If you don’t have web access, contact Dr. Pust’s office for application and course outline/schedule (see below)

Open to medical students in years 3-4 and practitioners and residents*.

Program Dates: Three weeks in July each year: July 13 through 31, 2009
Deadlines: Applications should be received by May 1, 2009.

Cost: All participants: extensive syllabus $15 and books $90; transportation, food and lodging*

1) US medical students from LCME schools: No course fees.

2) Medical students from non-LCME schools, medical residents, physicians and other health care professionals: $500 course fee.

3) All others contact us.


For more information contact:

Ronald Pust, MD or Tracy Carroll, MPH, PT
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Dept. of Family and Community Medicine
P.O. Box 245052
Tucson AZ 85724

Arleen Heimann, program coordinator
Phone: (520) 626-1992
Email: aheimann@email.arizona.edu

Web: http://www.globalhealth.arizona.edu

Health Research Spending Tops US$ 160 Billion, Yet Investment Fails To Meet The Needs Of Developing Countries

From Health News Today:

A report launched today by the Global Forum for Health Research reveals global expenditure on health research in 2005 was US$ 160.3 billion - the greatest sum ever spent on health research, up from US$ 125.8 billion in 2003. Yet despite the high investment levels research is failing to address the significant health needs of low- and middle-income countries. 

The report, which is the only publication to assess the total amount of money spent on health research around the world, found that: 

- Together G7 countries were responsible for over 88% of all publicly funded health research undertaken by high-income countries in 2005: USA US$ 35 billion, Japan US$ 6.3 billion, UK US$ 4.2 billion, France US$ 3.5 billion, Germany US$ 3.3 billion, Canada US$ 2.7 billion, Italy US$ 2.5 billion

- 97% of spending on health research continues to be conducted by high-income countries, the remaining 3% by low- and middle-income countries 

- Most of the money spent by high-income countries went towards generating products, processes and services required for their own health-care needs 

- The global investment in health research represents 4.1% of the total estimated national health investments worldwide 

- There is a small but encouraging increase in investment in health research to US$ 5.1 billion by low- and middle-income countries 

- Sweden and Finland have exceeded the target EU expenditure level of 3% of GDP on research, yet Portugal and Greece are yet to reach the target of 1% set for African Union countries.

Read the full article

Next Meeting

The next GHA meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12th in Drachman A274.

There will be a lot to discuss at this meeting, such as upcoming projects, new ideas, and other updates, so be sure to make it if you can.

A new look for the GHA blog

Welcome everyone!

Due to some technical difficulties with the old blog (which was wonderfully designed but could not be edited anymore), we have launched a new blog for the Global Health Alliance, a student group at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

This blog will be a resource for events, projects, and information about intenational work and intenship opportunities for MEZCOPH students and GHA members. Please check the blog to keep updated on GHA happenings throughout the year.

A great thanks to Sarah Shuman, a MEZCOPH alum and GHA veteran, for designing the original blog...we hate to have to change it because of the blogger glitch!