Supporting International Health Efforts While At Home
Suggestions for medical students and residents - Donna Staton MD, MPH
- Join IHMEC, the International Health Medical Education Consortium. Only costs $25 for residents/$15 for students, and the newsletters, resources, and meetings are excellent. Click on "Resources" and "Publications" especially.
- Join the American Medical Student Association (AMSA)'s Global Health Action Committee
- Join a professional specialty section or committee on international health (for example: SOICH--the American Academy of Pediatrics' Section on International Child Health, 800-433-9016)
- Make donations, help with fundraising
- Collect and donate medical supplies and equipment (REMEDY 203-737-5356; American Medical Resources Foundation 508-580-3301; World Medical Mission/Samaritan's Purse, AMSA's recycling program
- Collect and donate medical books/journals (e.g. MEDICC, or www.medicc.org/pages/whatsnew1.html ,Global Medicine Network; American Academy of Pediatrics Section on International Child Health Book Repository, contact Donna Staton MD)
- Select research projects relevant to developing countries
- Provide logistical support for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs--work with those based in your area)
- Join advocacy organizations (Amnesty International or Amnesty International USA; Oxfam International orOxfam America; Physicians for Human Rights; Global Health Council)
- Stay informed (BBC on NPR; scan www.WorldHealthNews.harvard.edu ; subscribe to Humanitarian Times, a free email newsletter; subscribe to NGO newsletters: e.g. Global Health Council, DOW, Health Volunteers Overseas; American Medical Student Association (AMSA) International Health List serve Newsletter)
- Educate yourself and others about the health and human rights issues of children around the world. The UNICEF website has extensive information and data; The State of the World's Children is an annual report available on-line or in print, covering a different theme (nutrition, education, child labor, etc.) each year. Learn about the rights of children
- Network with other medical schools/public health schools/residencies with international health programs--subscribe to their newsletters: e.g. St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center's "Residents and International Health" (editor Kevin Ericson MD); Case Western Reserve University/Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital's "World Notes" (phone 216-368-6321); Michigan State University's Institute of International Health Newsletter (Contact them by email or by phone 517-353-8992); University Departments and Programs on AMSA's site scroll down, it's near the bottom
- Start an International Health Curriculum at your school or program (see AMSA website's International Health Resources)--or even just a lecture series or library of resources
