Published April 24, 2012, last updated on February 19, 2013
Name: Truls Ostbye
Position(s): Professor in Community and Family Medicine; Director of Global Health in Community and Family Medicine; Professor in health services research, Duke-NUS Singapore
Years at Duke: 12
More about my role(s) at Duke: I am the faculty liaison with the DGHI site at University of Ruhuna in Galle, Sri Lanka.
What I bring to my job: Clinical and public health background from Norway, New Zealand and Canada, eclectic research interests, extensive experience with epidemiological studies from many countries, especially in the areas of aging, obesity, mental and occupational health
Why I’m interested in global health: There’s a lot to learn from other countries’ health challenges and solutions.
Why/How I hope to make global health a priority in my department: In the Department of Community and Family Medicine, we are facilitating electives for clinical (physician assistant, physical therapy and medical students) and research students, especially in Sri Lanka, India and Singapore. We are working with family physicians to expand global health research, especially relating to primary care, aging and occupational health.
Countries where I work: Norway, Sri Lanka, Singapore, India, Canada
To start a conversation with me, ask me: Is it true that Norway has the most interesting cuisine in the world?
Most memorable moment at Duke or working abroad: Visiting Sri Lanka soon after the 2004 tsunami with a view to start a collaboration between Sri Lankan colleagues and Duke students and faculty.
Favorite activity/ hobby outside of work: Mountain walking
A book I read recently: The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh
