Define Forward

Defining Forward - student engagement

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:13:16 -0400

Karen Lin | To me, defining forward means students actively participating and gaining awareness of critical issues occurring around the world, such as global health, by becoming more involved on campus, conversing with fellow peers, and staying informed of these issues on a daily basis.

Defining Forward - interdisciplinary thinking

Sun, 13 May 2012 14:25:12 -0400

Lara Yuan | To me, defining forward means requiring humility, understanding, collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking from government, academia and the private sector for future success in global health.

Defining Forward - women's access to family planning

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:25:18 -0400

Victoria Pascoe| To me, defining forward means illuminating barriers that limit women’s access to family planning resources essential to improving health.

Defining Forward - addressing health disparity

Sun, 13 May 2012 04:50:32 -0400

Crystal Yan | To me, defining forward in global health means creating partnerships across sectors to address current market gaps and to meet the needs of people who currently lack health equity.

Defining Forward - creation of a healthy world

Sat, 12 May 2012 19:13:21 -0400

Teresa Tomassoni | To me, defining forward means imagining what a healthy world would look like and its impact on cultural and economic growth, developing innovative solutions to global health issues, and dedicating the resources needed to implement these solutions around the world.

The Spirit of Collaboration at the GBCHealth Conference

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:25:41 -0400

Francesca Garrett | “One person can’t do everything. One person can’t, one foundation can’t, one government can’t. Not alone.” Ted Turner’s words last June spoke of a culture that focuses too often on the individual. And yet the air at last year’s annual conference was electric with collaboration. UNICEF ambassador Sarah Jessica Parker introduced their new HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund, while experts from AMPATH spoke of the success of hiring former patients as informed advocates within their communities. Anne Keeling from the International Diabetes Federation shared staggering new global figures on diabetes and Clifford Panter of Mercedes Benz spoke of their innovative Trucking Wellness Project to fight HIV/AIDS. And the spirit of collaboration extended far beyond the conference walls.

An international audience of over two million viewers from 16 different countries followed coverage provided by the GBCHealth Social Media Corps. We asked your questions in real-time during GBCHealth panels and provided a behind-the-scene glimpse of speakers and award winners. We asked GBCHealth President John Tedstrom when he thought the conference would help put mental health on the map, and Hewlett-Packard’s Gabriele Zedlmayer for insight into innovation.

That same spirit of collaboration will continue this year. As Susan G. Komen for the Cure announces their new workplace breast cancer toolkit and speakers from Deepak Chopra to Michelle Bachelet take the stage, our team of young media and health professionals will once again ensure that your voice is heard. We want your questions, your challenges and your acknowledgements. We want your stories and your suggestions. This May, I can’t wait to define, and move, forward. Together.

Francesca returns to GBCHealth’s Social Media Corps this year as an advisor. She currently works as the Associate Executive Director at San Antonio’s Holocaust Memorial Museum and serves on Medic Mobile’s Advisory Board. Learn more about Francesca here and follow her @medic

Defining Forward - multi-sectoral partnerships

Sat, 12 May 2012 09:33:19 -0400

Anirudh Kumar | To me, defining forward means partnership. Tangible, actionable change in the world of global health can’t happen without the concerted efforts of the private sector, public sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and communities at large. Trust in each other and mutual investment in a single vision is what underlies true progress in solving complex problems such as malaria eradication or the growing global burden of non-communicable diseases.

Defining Forward - innovation & leadership

Sat, 12 May 2012 04:50:14 -0400

Mobola Oyefule | To me, defining forward in global health means to pioneer solutions and innovate strategies that treat global health as the priority that it should be.

When birds are in flight, their priority is to migrate towards more optimal and favorable conditions, with the leader of the pack essentially piloting the flight. It is not exotic; it is essential.

As leaders in global health, GBCHealth should be akin to the pilot bird; rallying its partners together and spearheading long needed efforts to improve global health in today’s world and in the future.

Molecular to Global: The Importance of Context in Health

Fri, 11 May 2012 19:14:16 -0400

Lara Yuan | I couldn’t be more thrilled to be attending and covering the topics of malaria, diabetes & nutrition and the MDG Health Alliance during the GBCHealth Defining Forward Conference this year. Coming from a background in the sciences and now currently working in private industry, I can’t wait to explore many of my interests and questions about global health during these diverse sessions.

My interest in health care stems from my background and degree in chemistry and my understanding of disease on the molecular level. However, my approach to chemistry and health care has always been a contextual one, as I have often found that understanding the environment in which a problem or phenomenon exists is just as important as the problem or phenomenon itself. During the session Can South Africa Eliminate Malaria? I am interested in seeing the problem of malaria being approached at all levels from the health care provider, to the government, to international organizations.

In my analyses of markets through consulting, I have come to recognize that no industry or market exists in isolation. Health cannot be addressed with only a focus on medical care and disease as it usually is; it is inextricably linked to nutrition. Even in the absence of infectious disease, noncommunicable or chronic diseases pose significant threats to health. In the session Influencing for Change - Tackling South Africa’s Diabetes Epidemic, the growing impact of diabetes in the developing economy of South Africa will be great to explore.

Finally, conceptual analysis is necessary and great, but it doesn’t produce any results unless it is actually put into action. The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) set a clear goal for everyone to work toward and help to direct a plan of action. The special session MDG Health Alliance-A Plan for Driving Progress will a great discussion between several prominent leaders in all sectors tackling the health-related MDGs.

I truly look forward to attending these three great sessions to learn and think about many important issues that will be discussed. Stay tuned for more updates and thoughts on the conference and my coverage of these topics!

Learn more about Lara here and be sure to follow her at @TheContribProj

Defining Forward - easy access to healthy choices

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:21:03 -0400

Meghan Johnson | To me, defining forward means making healthy choices become easier choices. It’s thinking broadly about how we can create synchronized goals and supporting messages that both leverage existing resources and resonate with people.

Defining Forward - health as a human right

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:54:00 -0400

Akash Goel | To me, defining forward means setting aggressive public health goals even when it may not be politically feasible to do so. It means defining issues such as preventable under-five child mortality as completely morally reprehensible. It means striving to provide the best available healthcare universally and viewing health as a fundamental human right.

Defining Forward - global health technology

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:53:00 -0400

Francesca Garret | To me, defining forward means developing technologies that involve patients around the world in the global health dialogue.

Photo credit: Priyanka Pathak, Medic Mobile

“A mother from one of the slum wards in Kurmool shows another mother how to use Medic Mobile’s vaccine schedule tracking software on her cell phone.”

Defining Forward

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:47:31 -0400

The theme for this year’s GBCHealth Conference and Awards Dinner is “Defining Forward: Business, Health & the Road Ahead.” Each conference session will explore an essential topic in global health, such as malaria, maternal health, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, workplace wellness, and more, and seek to answer the following question: “What does ‘forward’ mean for this topic, and what are the implications and imperatives for my business or organization?”

So how do the GBChealth Social Media Corps members define forward in global health?

How Public Health Can Bring Value to Corporations

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:02:00 -0400

Crystal Yan | I’m a designer and a student studying economics at Amherst College. I’m excited to be attending the GBCHealth Conference where I’ll be covering the sessions Lost in Translation: Defining and Delivering Wellness in the Global Workplace and Health: Business Responsibility or Business Opportunity?

I’m interested in how efforts in public health can bring value to a corporation and address market failures. I co-produced What’s Next: 25 Big Ideas from Gen-Yers Under 25, a collaborative book project on the power of youth featuring youth contributors from Seattle to Sierra Leone. I’ve also designed for a diverse range of clients: medical schools, female mathematicians, international literacy non-profits, among others. I’m interested in the intersection of technology, design and emerging markets. You can learn more about me at http://crystalcyan.com.

Learn more about Crystal here and be sure to follow her at @crystalcy

Social Media for Social Health

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:03:00 -0400

Teresa Tomassoni | Before I ever knew I wanted to become a journalist, I spent three years living in Latin America and Asia while earning my bachelors degree through the four-year study abroad program, Global College of Long Island University. During this time, I interviewed sex workers and human trafficking survivors around the world who were afflicted with HIV/AIDS and the stigma associated with the disease. I also spent time talking with Costa Rican banana plantation workers whose health was compromised by the pesticides being used on their crops. When I returned to the U.S., I began working as a counselor for American girls ages 12-24 in New York City who were sexually exploited and trafficked. Many of them suffered from severe mental and physical issues as a result of the trauma and abuse they endured.

These experiences fueled my desire to become a journalist, to educate people about these types of critical global health issues, and help them make more informed decisions in their daily lives. Therefore, I am very excited to report on this year’s GBCHealth Conference.

So far, I have been working towards my goal of becoming a full-time reporter on global health and humanitarian issues by earning my masters degree in journalism from the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism. I also spent the last seven months reporting on hunger, housing and the 2012 presidential primaries for The Washington Post and NPR as a Stone and Holt Weeks Fellow.

Now I am interested in learning about how I can continue informing the public, politicians and business professionals on global health issues using other creative journalistic tools like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. I will be covering the conference session: Social Health: The Future of Disease Awareness, Prevention and Treatment. The session’s speakers will discuss ways in which social media is being used to effectively track global health trends, raise awareness and disseminate information about health topics. I will be examining how social media can be used to continue the conversation around global health, even once the breaking news headlines die down about cholera, malnutrition, maternal health and AIDS.

Learn more about Teresa here and be sure to follow her at @TTomassoni

Business & Health: Fostering Collaboration & Innovative Partnerships

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:01:00 -0400

Victoria Pascoe | It is inspiring to see diverse groups sharing in a dialogue and common commitment to achieving what can seem like insurmountable goals. GBCHealth fosters invaluable collaboration and innovative partnerships that combine the ideas and research of academia with the resources and efficiency of large businesses, presenting an incredible opportunity to promote health, improve service systems and achieve measurable outcomes.

I am attending this year’s GBCHealth Conference as a correspondent to connect my own experience interning with a non-profit committed to corporate accountability as well as my work in public health focused on the area of family planning and reproductive health with this year’s discussions and content. I will be covering two sessions:

Health: Business Responsibility or Business Opportunity? (May 14) A discussion of corporate responsibility the role of business in new markets from the context of health
Maternal Health: Milestone Moments on the Path to Healthier Motherhood (May 15) An exploration of the lifecycle of a woman and the valuable opportunities to impact maternal and child health and achieve outcomes that improve the lives of women.

Take a look at the speakers who will be sharing their knowledge and perspective on the role of business in global health, as well as the companies and organizations participating in advancing these initiatives and be sure to follow my progress on twitter - @toriepascoe

Learn more about Victoria here and be sure to follow her at @toriepascoe

Tackling Global Health through Medicine and Social Media

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:35:00 -0400

Mobola Oyefule | I am delighted to be one of this year’s GBCHealth Social Media Corps members. I will be covering two sessions, AIDS@30 and Maternal Health, as well as the keynote lunch featuring Muhtar Kent on May 14.

I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I am currently a first year medical student at Vanderbilt Medical School. In 2011, I graduated magna cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Biology and a minor in global health. In college, I spent two years organizing alternative break experiences focusing on the effects of domestic policy and socio-economic status on individuals living with/at risk for HIV/AIDS. Some of my passions include: global health, healthcare justice and personal development.

I now split my time between medical school and Nigeria, where I spend time working at local hospitals and community based organizations. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with loved ones.

Learn more about Mobola here and be sure to follow her at @MobolaOyefule

Health is a Cornerstone

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:33:00 -0400

Karen Lin | I’m so excited to take part in the GBCHealth Conference and Awards Dinner this year as a Social Media Corps member. Over the course of the conference, I’ll be covering three sessions: The Business of Health Diplomacy, MDG Health Alliance – A Plan for Driving Progress, and Social Health: The Future of Disease Awareness, Prevention and Treatment. During these two days, I hope to gain a better understanding of the connection between the private sector and global health, and to learn as much as I can from the many leaders and visionaries who will be present.

I am currently a sophomore studying biology and economics at Rutgers University. This past year, I served as the External Director of Communications for the GlobeMed chapter at Rutgers University, which suits me well, given my love for social media and my ever growing interest in global health. When I’m not Tweeting about global health, I enjoy learning, watching cooking shows, visiting museums and traveling. I am passionate about travel because it ties together human connection, different cultures and history.

While I hope to attend medical school one day, this past year has truly refocused my outlook on healthcare to a more global view. Global health is so important — I believe it is the cornerstone, part of the strong foundation every country needs.

Learn more about Karen here and be sure to follow her at @karen_lin

Making Education, Technology and Medicine Available to All

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:41:00 -0400

Anirudh Kumar | I am so happy to be a Social Media Corps Member for the upcoming GBCHealth conference. I believe I’ll bring an unabashed enthusiasm and inquisitiveness to the table, which I think are key traits of a good reporter. I’m a junior at Columbia University studying Sustainable Development, Anthropology and a pre-medical curriculum. I currently work at The Earth Institute where I’m developing a web tool for malaria policy makers to improve their navigation of NGO funding and distribution of bed nets, sprays and malaria drugs.

I am passionate about science, teaching and global health. I have significant bench science experience and have taught low-income students. I think what binds my interests is a deep commitment to the idea of social justice. I believe that a quality education along with the fruits of modern technology and medicine ought to be available to all. This belief is a guiding principle as I consider what I’d like to do with my life.

I will be covering the AIDS@30 session, as well as the Can Southern Africa Eliminate Malaria at the conference. I look forward to meeting everyone and immersing myself into the world of business and global health at the GBCHealth Conference!

Learn more about Anirundh here and be sure to follow him at @anirudhkumar01

Collapsing Silos for Better Health

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:29:00 -0400

Meghan Johnson | I was so excited to learn that I had been selected as one of the 2012 GBCHealth Social Media Corps members! I first read about the opportunity on my university’s listserv and it immediately piqued my interest. I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of GBCHealth before, but a little googling told me that it is a hub for private sector engagement on some of the world’s most pressing global health issues, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes.

As a public health and food policy student, my studies and field experiences have often led me to conclude that any progress we make to improve health is going to be a product of cooperation, compromise and collaboration across sectors. In public health, we like to refer to stakeholders as being separated into “silos.” We often talk about opportunities for collaboration across silos, yet we do a poor job of capitalizing on these opportunities. To me, the GBCHealth Annual Conference is as a perfect forum to facilitate meaningful dialogue among diverse stakeholders from different silos who have the power to create change.

At the GBCHealth Conference in May, I will be responsible for Tweeting, blogging and collecting video clips and photos during two sessions. The first is a luncheon featuring Muhtar Kent, the Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company (who is also a Co-Chair and Board member of GBCHealth) and the second is a session about addressing non communicable diseases like diabetes in South Africa and beyond. This session, with its roots in nutrition, will look at how the private sector can help promote good health and address chronic diseases like diabetes. Both of these sessions will provide insights into how the public health community can encourage companies to improve the healthfulness of their products, change promotion or marketing practices that target youth and create opportunities to collaborate with the private sector to create cross-sector health initiatives. It’s important to keep the big picture in mind when thinking of solutions: we’re creating a healthier future for the next generation. And we’re not going to do it alone.

About me: I am finishing a dual degree master’s program at Tufts University, earning a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Policy and a Master of Public Health. I’m fascinated by the ways science and policy intertwine to determine the availability and quality of food; and how it’s distributed and marketed. Choosing what foods to eat is a personal decision, but I believe everyone deserves to have access to affordable, safe and healthy foods. What we eat impacts our health and the way we feel; I see our food system as being the root of our health as a planet.

Learn more about Meghan here and be sure to follow her @EatLessMoveM0re