Over the past few years, the term “global health” has made headlines with increasing frequency. But what exactly does “global health” mean? Is it just a catch-all phrase to describe any health endeavor outside of the United States, or does it have greater significance?
A group of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) students has been working to understand, define, and promote global health at OHSU and in Portland. To us, “global health” implies a belief system based on the premise that a basic standard of health is a fundamental human right. We believe that those who can take their health for granted – due to the privilege of nationality, economic class or race – have a moral obligation to work to extend this human right to those without it.
To us as students, a commitment to global health means that we cannot allow ourselves to learn only about heart disease – a common focus of medical education – and not about childhood diarrhea, still one of the major causes of childhood death before the age of 5 around the world, simply because it is an issue in Portland.
To us, at the most personal level, “global health” means that we challenge ourselves in the most global way to see all those around the world who are sick due to preventable or easily treatable diseases as our own potential patients.
It’s no small undertaking to break down the conceptual and practical boundaries of nationality, race, gender and economic status. There is a community, however, of activists, health care workers, academics, and politicians that are doing just this every day. To promote our own understanding of global health and to bring together these players, we are having a conference from Feb. 17-19 called “Health, Human Rights, and Economics: The Value of Human Life.” Conference participants will explore the meaning of global health, and develop creative ways to bridge the chasms between those who have the privilege of health and those who do not.
The conference will commence on Friday evening at the Portland Art Museum and continue at OHSU through Sunday afternoon. Continuing Medical and Nursing Education credit will be offered.
 

Rebecca Marshall is a third-year medical student at OHSU