|
Weekly News and Notes
From the Duke Global Health Institute
Greetings!
This week we bring you several important stories that highlight Duke and DGHI's increasing role in the world. See the recap of last week's international health systems education taskforce meeting and watch an interview with one of DGHI's newest faculty members Manoj Mohanan.
Also in New and Noteworthy we highlight the inspirational lecture by Marian Jacobs of the University of Cape Town in South Africa; and Duke's new partnership with Jubilant Organosys in India. We're also proud to announce the recent grant awards of our faculty.
It's an exciting time at the Institute and we're grateful that you are a part of our success. Let us know what you think!
Until next week,
Geelea Seaford and Everyone at DGHI |
|
Global Network Formed To Address Health Management Education
By Alyssa Zamora, Duke Global Health Institute
Last week members of an international Health Systems Competencies and Curriculum Initiative (HSCCI) Taskforce proposed the formation of a global health systems training and education network to share resources and curriculum.
The recommendation was the result of a three-day meeting in Durham hosted by the Duke Global Health Institute and the Fuqua School of Business Health Sector Management Program. Participants included deans, faculty members and senior officials from academic institutions, multilateral organizations, and NGOs in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the U.S.
"Duke is really showing the way in terms of fostering collaboration and programs that span multiple schools. This global network is fantastic because it promotes access and the exchange of information," said Guy Pfeffermann, CEO and Chairman of the Global Business Network. "It's exciting that we are now breaking ground in creative ways that answer real-life problems around the world."
The taskforce, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, considered new ways of improving health systems through increased education in the areas of health management, policy and financing. With an interdisciplinary curriculum in the fields of public health, medicine and business, students can learn how to manage health systems around the world.
One potential role for a global health systems training network will be to share information resources, particularly curriculum and course materials, among its members. Duke is leading the way with Fuqua's growing Health Sector Management Program and the Duke Global Health Institute's new health systems course to be offered next semester. These offerings may be some of the first examples for how resources might be shared and used within the global network. Read the full story.
New Masters-level Course Incorporates Global Health, Public Policy and Business
The interdisciplinary master-level course, to be taught in Spring 2010 by DGHI Faculty Member Manoj Mohanan, will incorporate the fields of global health, public policy, and business to explore a more systemic way of addressing health disparities worldwide. It is one of several new global health courses available this Spring through the Duke Global Health Institute. (Registration ends Nov. 18.)
Learn more about the new "Health Systems and Health Policy" (GLHLTH 340) course:
Manoj Mohanan is associate research professor at Duke and heads the Duke Global Health Institute's health systems strengthening research initiative. Mohanan came to Duke this fall from Harvard University, where he completed a doctorate degree in health policy and a master of public health. Mohanan is also a consultant for The World Bank, working on various projects in India, Egypt and the U.S. |
New and Noteworthy
Amid Tragedy, South Africa Making Progress on Child Rights, Health
In one of the poorest townships of Cape Town, South Africa, a grandmother trudged from clinic to clinic seeking medical treatment for her sick grandson, who she strapped to her back as she walked for miles. After being turned away from three clinics, she headed home to find the 17-month-old toddler dead on her back. This took place in a country where health care is free and "available for all".
This true story of a family in Nyanga, South Africa captivated faculty, staff and students who attended a recent Duke Global Health Institute seminar with Professor of Child Health and Child Rights Advocate Marian E. Jacobs. Jacobs is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, regarded as the top academic institution in Africa.
 "I hope this story will remind you, as it reminded me, that if we don't act we are not going to ever get close to reaching the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDG)," said Jacobs, emphasizing the reality that death may arguably be a better outcome for children than living in sub-par conditions.
The United Nations set forth a goal in 1990 to reduce the under - five child mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015. Yet, Jacobs pointed out that 150 million children worldwide continue to grow up malnourished, and nearly 10 million children die from preventable causes. "It's a situation that is getting worse, and it demands global solutions."
The major killers of children in developing countries, including South Africa, are pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV, malnutrition, malaria and measles- conditions that experts say can be lowered considerably through basic health services and interventions.
The death of the Nyanga toddler named Unabantu Mali, who suffered from severe malnourishment and diarrhea, devastated the entire country. A local newspaper published an article with the headline "A City's Shame." It was considered by many to be a setback, since 15 years earlier, South Africa had made a commitment to improving the rights of children, including their right to good health.
Duke Launches Global Research and Drug Development Partnership
Duke University and Jubilant Organosys Limited, the largest integrated Custom Research and Manufacturing Services (CRAMS) and leading Drug Discovery and Development Services (DDDS) company in India, through its subsidiary, Jubilant Biosys Limited and Jubilant First Trust Healthcare Limited, today signed a Letter of Intent to develop a multi-faceted partnership that will expedite translation of discoveries by Duke scientists into clinical therapies. The proposed partnership will also advance both organizations' mutual commitment to reducing global health disparities. The parties shall complete definitive agreements by the first quarter of 2010.
Under the terms of this partnership, Duke and Jubilant will work toward jointly selecting and managing a portfolio of translational research projects that leverages expertise and thought leadership from Duke University scientists and development capabilities, including funding, from Jubilant. The parties shall commit to work together over a period of five years with the objective of developing a portfolio of four to five technologies at steady state over the period of collaboration.
Duke Chancellor for Health Affairs Victor J. Dzau made the announcement today while attending the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit in Delhi. Duke Medicine is the lone academic health sciences center member of the Forum's Healthcare Industries group.
Read the full story.
Duke Trustees Approve Creation of Ph.D. Program in Environmental Policy
The Duke University Board of Trustees' Executive Committee on Friday gave final approval to the creation of a Ph.D. program in environmental policy, which builds on the university's existing strengths in environmental science research and education, and public policy studies.
The program, which had been endorsed by faculty review committees, "will educate the people who will be shaping the next generation of environmental policy," said Duke Global Health Institute Member Randall Kramer. He is Professor of Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment.
The degree is expected to attract top students, Kramer said, noting that 17 Nicholas students interested in environmental policy are currently pursuing a Ph.D. Read the Full Story.
Dr. Kramer leads DGHI's Global Environmental Health signature research initiative.
WHO Study Says Women Live Longer, but Have Worse Quality of Life Due to Lack of Health Care
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new study this week that shows women live six to eight years longer than man, but they lack essential health care services.
Among its findings, WHO found widespread and persistant gender inequalities, inequities among women between low- and high-income countries, and a high prevalence of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, a time when sexuality and reproduction are central to a woman's health. It also brought attention to the increasing burden of mental health issues and chronic illnesses among women. Read the WHO's recommendations. |
|
Faculty News and Funding
Grant Announcements
- DGHI Member Joanna Maselko: "Religious Engagement and Psychopathology over the Lifecourse"
- Center for Health Policy (CHP) Assistant Professor, DGHI Member Brian W. Pence: "Improving HAART Adherence in Depressed HIV Clinic Patients: A Real-World Randomized Controlled Trial"
- CHP Assistant Professor, DGHI Member Brian W. Pence: "Mental Illness in HIV in Cameroon: Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Impact on Treatment and Outcomes"
- CHP Assistant Professor, DGHI Affiliate Donald H. Taylor Jr.: "Hospice to Palliative Care: Maximizing Patient Preference and Cost Savings"
The Mosquito Biology and Biotechnology Conference will be held at Duke November 23-24. The goal of this meeting is to discuss strategies for reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases by focusing on mosquito biology, molecular biology, field interventions, and policies that help individuals to access health biotechnology. Nearly a dozen international leaders in the field will speak at the event, including DGHI Associate Director for Research, Dr. John Bartlett. Learn more and register for this special event. Conference is free and open to the public.
Funding Opportunities
International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01, R03, R21)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) solicits collaborative research proposals on drug abuse and addiction that take advantage of special opportunities that exist outside the United States. Special opportunities include access to unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions in other countries that will speed scientific discovery. Read more >>
Roadmap Transformative Research Projects Program (R01)
As part of the NIH Roadmap for Biomedical Research, the NIH invites transformative Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/organizations proposing groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, high risk, original and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms or challenge existing ones. Read more >>
Education Opportunities
Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program - Accepting Applications
The Population Council offers a fellowship program to expand training opportunities for social scientists and biomedical researchers in the health and population fields. This fellowship is geared toward developing country nationals in the early stages of their careers, and to those with a demonstrated commitment to remaining in their home countries to build capacity in local institutions or returning home after working/studying abroad. Read more >>Applications Available for 2010-11 Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program
The Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program makes it possible for emerging leaders in U.S. biomedical engineering (or bioengineering) to undertake a self-designed project that will enhance their own careers within the field. Read more >>
* * * For additional faculty opportunities, click here. |
|
Spring Registration Ends Next Week
Interested in learning more about health determinants and ways to reduce health disparities in marginalized and underserved communities around the globe? See a full listing of global health courses available next semester, including several new offerings. Registration for courses ends Wednesday, November 18.
Summer Fieldwork Opportunities
Fieldwork Opportunities through the Duke Global Health Institute
DGHI is proud to announce openings for student fieldwork projects in the summer of 2010. Fieldwork is a great way to learn more about the global health challenges that face underserved and resource-limited communities around the world.
DGHI's fieldwork opportunities range in topic from maternal health and infectious diseases to community development, health education and access to care. Fieldwork opportunities are available in seven countries. Resume and letter of interest due November 30. Read more >>
Cultural Immersion & ESL Teaching Internship Opportunity in the Philippines
The Hubert-Yeargan Center (HYC), in collaboration with Family to Family, Inc., is offering a summer internship opportunity to provide ESL tutoring service at Mapa School and Farm in Camiguin, Philippines. Mapa is an elementary level boarding school serving students who come from extreme poverty who would otherwise have no access to schooling. Submit application by November 23. Read more >>
Education Opportunities
DGHI now accepting applications for the Fall 2010 class of the MSc-GH program
The Duke Global Health Institute, in collaboration with the Duke Graduate School, is currently accepting applications for the second cohort of the Master of Science in Global Health (MSc-GH) program, which will begin in August 2010. Read more >>
Global Health Fellows Program - Call for Applications
The Sanford School of Public Policy is delighted to announce the call for applications for the 2010 cohort of Global Health Fellows, who will spend the summer in Geneva in global health policy positions. Deadline to apply is November 30. Read more >>The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship - Call for Applications
Oliver W. Koonz Human Rights Essay Contest
Win $500 for your essay or project on a Human Rights theme. The Duke Human Rights Center will award one prize in each category of best essay and the best alternative project on a human rights theme. Open to currently enrolled Duke undergraduates. Submission deadline is March 5, 2010 Read more >>
* * *
For additional student opportunities, click here. | |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Nov. 11, 2009 » 12-1 pm
Duke Hospital North, Room 2002
Nov. 12, 2009 » 3:30-5:30 pm
Perkins Library, Breedlove Room
Nov. 12, 2009 » 12:15 pm
Law School, Room 3041
Duke University's Leading Health Care Scholars Discuss Reform Proposals
****
The Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center, Science Drive
Robert C. Gallo: A Personal Journey with Viruses and Blood Cells: A Reflection on a Career in Medical Science
****
Nov. 17, 2009 » 12-1 pm
Trent Hall, Room 124
Global Health Journal Club Meeting: "Violence Against Women: Can economic empowerment be a solution?"
****
Nov. 17, 2009 » 5:30-7 pm
Trent Hall, Room 124
Global Health Student Open House
****
Nov. 18, 2009 » 3-4:30 pm
UNC, 133 Rosenau Auditorium
Divinity School, 0012 Westbrook
****
Nov. 19, 2009 » 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Perkins Library, Breedlove Room
****
View more upcoming events
|
|
| |
