Duke Global Health Week Kicks Off

Global health week 2014

Published April 1, 2014, last updated on April 9, 2018 under Education News

It is the largest student-led global health event of the year. It brings together students from across campus to learn about health issues of people near and far, and to encourage advocacy and action.  It’s Duke Global Health Week, and it starts today.

A network of more than 20 student organizations, including Duke Partnership for Service, is hosting various campus activities organized by around a different theme each day.   Themes include maternal and child health, entrepreneurship, social justice and advocacy, preventive health, and global health exhibition.

Global Health Week 2014 kicks off this afternoon with Global Health 2035, a DGHI event featuring Gavin Yamey, the lead author of a landmark report from The Lancet on investing in the world’s health.  On Thursday, Duke SEAD will host a symposium on Scaling Innovations in Global Health, which will include a panel on careers in global health innovation.

This year, student organizers are excited about screening the film Fire in the Blood on Saturday, which tells the story of Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocking access to HIV/AIDS drugs in Africa in the 90s.  They are also excited about the exhibition, where student and faculty projects will be showcased.

"This year's Global Health Week will feature a showcase of independent student and faculty global health projects complete with incredible pictures and a full description of how they pulled it off,” said Dayton Grogan, a freshman and neuroscience major affiliated with dPS-Health. “I can't wait to see the things Duke students are doing all around the world and find out how I can get involved."

Other activities planned for the week include a BBQ, the opportunity to build water filters, volunteer at the Durham Food Bank, and join an interactive photo campaign. On Friday, the DGHI Student Council will host Student Voices & Experiences, during which students at all levels of their education will share their own journey in global health.

“We love giving the Duke organizations a chance to showcase their activities on each of the different themed days, but we also wanted to host events that were not limited to specific global health topics,” said Julia Tuttle, dPS-Health team executive officer. “We hope that these events will encourage community between the different student groups we work with, as well as anyone on campus who is interested in global health issues.”

Learn more about Duke Global Health Week:  http://globalhealthweek.wordpress.com/