Local Health is Global Health
September 25, 2009
CSIS Commissioners Admiral Bill Fallon, Peter Lamptey, and Michael Merson co-hosted a session in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina on Monday to highlight the region as a center of excellence in global health. The forum was hosted by the CSIS Global Health Policy Center and the 1-day old Triangle Global Health Consortium. Fallon (read speech here) reflected on the rising importance of global health during his military career and provided 4 pillars of a strategic, smart approach to global health:
- basis in sound public health;
- engagement of women;
- integration of health investment with broader development goals;
- the prioritization of human security.
Lamptey elaborated on Fallon’s remarks with concerns of equity of health services, health systems strengthening and growing pressures on the health system from non-communicable diseases. Fellow commissioner Michael Merson brought the conversation closer to home. He discussed his recent publication exploring youth and academic interest in global health and how important the field is to the economy of the region. The new economic impact report found that global health provides more than 7,000 jobs to the area and adds almost $2 billion to the state economy each year.
Watch the full video here:
Monday’s statewide forum also served as the formal launch of the Triangle Global Health Consortium. The Consortium’s seven founding members include Family Health International, IntraHealth International, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, RTI International and Duke University.
Special thanks to Christianne Persenaire for contributing to this post.
