Editorial
Ebola in Context: Lessons Learned from the Ebola Crisis
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa shared similarities with many previous outbreaks. The paradigm to address it has been predictable, but what made this outbreak fundamentally different is how it rocked the foundations of global health governance on many levels including World Health Organizations, national governments and non-governmental organizations…
What is the Price of a Smile?
The lack of basic resources in many developing countries remains responsible for the death of millions of children annually. Some of the illnesses responsible for such high morbidity and mortality rates can be avoided through simple preventive measures including immunization, access to drinking water, proper hygiene, and appropriate nutrition…
When Mating Kills: Rewiring Nature to Kill Mosquitoes
Before coming to Canada from Bangladesh, going to sleep most nights required a lot of preparation. I had to spray my room with insecticide, put up a bed net, or both. The precautions were mainly for a good night’s sleep – being bitten all over by mosquitoes isn’t exactly conducive to sleep, and makes for a very itchy morning…
Global Health Opportunities Over the Winter Break
In case you missed them, here are some great sources of global health information to wrap your mind around during the winter break. A great mix of courses, videos and events!
Photo Narrative: Geriatric Camps in Kashmir, India
Under the National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), geriatric camps were conducted at six villages and hamlets in the Trans Singela area of Khaltse Block, Leh Ladakh from August 1, 2013 to August 11, 2013.
A Nuclear-Free Arctic: Interview with Dr. Nancy Doubleday
The Polanyi conference brought scholars together to discuss the contemporary status of nuclear weapons. One of the speakers was Dr. Nancy Doubleday, a lawyer and biologist who holds the Hope Chair of Peace and Health at McMaster University, and who has worked extensively in policy development and human rights claims in the Arctic…
Health Politics in Focus: Dr. Norman Bethune (UofT 1916)
While a truly boundless graduate from University of Toronto (U of T), Dr Bethune is not a familiar name to most U of T students. A classmate of Dr. Fredrick Banting (co-discoverer of insulin, who is well known within the UofT community), Dr. Bethune was recently recognized at the University of Toronto by a sculpture made in his honour near the Medical Sciences building…
One World, One Vision: providing equitable care for retinoblastoma
A Doctor’s Plea For His Patients: An Interview with the Organizer of the National Day of Action
On June 30, 2012, the Canadian government implemented cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFH) for refugees. With these changes to the IFH, Canadian refugees no longer had access to medication coverage, vision and dental care…
Social Responsibility in the Post-Antibiotic Era
Antibiotic-resistant microbes – bacteria and other microscopic entities that have acquired a complete or near-immunity to standard antimicrobial treatments – have gone under the radar for a dangerously long time. As a result we are facing a future where it is entirely possible that infections may once again become the leading cause of mortality worldwide…
Education as a tool to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS
Out of Tanzania’s 41 million people, 43% are less than 15 years of age. In 2011, an estimated 1.3 million HIV/AIDS-orphaned children were between the ages of 0 and 17. Traditionally, orphaned children are absorbed into extended families. However, the increased numbers of HIV/AIDS orphans are over-burdening this system…
Older Adults Living with HIV/AIDS on the Rise in Canada
The number of older Canadians living with HIV has spiked over the past decade and a half. The reason for this trend is twofold. First, increased access to improved antiretroviral therapy allows people currently living with HIV to live longer lives and age with HIV. Secondly, more and more Canadians are now receiving an HIV diagnosis in later stages of life.
Folding Symbols of Hope
First founded in 2007 at the U of T St. George campus, Fly with Origami, Learn to Dream (FOLD) started out as a small group of origami artists who wanted to share designs in the company of those who also enjoyed their art. Since then, FOLD has established a foothold within the University of Toronto’s diverse co-curricular background…
Beyond Metal Bars: Breaking Down the Health Care Dynamics at Guantanamo Bay
Despite President Obama’s claims of shutting Guantanamo Bay down, the military detention camp remains standing. The institution is often criticized for its human rights violations and severe health problems…
A Moral Tempest: 2014 United Nations Climate Change Summit
On September 23rd, the United Nations kick started the long anticipated Climate Change Summit in New York City. Expectations are high and an atmosphere of optimism and solidarity pervades discussions…
Strides in Trans*-Related Health Insurance in the US
Recent strides of the trans-rights movement have led to positive shifts in the tides governing the ability of trans people to acquire necessary healthcare. These include the lifting of the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ generalized ban on trans-related healthcare coverage for Medicare recipients, individual states banning…
Advancing Maternal, Newborn and Child Health: Building Momentum on the Road to 2015
As the 2015 target deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) quickly approaches, two important platforms have taken place over recent weeks that seek to galvanize the international community into action…
Four Poems
From poet Victoria McArtor.
Transcending the Burden and Gap of Inequality
Why are young people so interested in global health? Dr. Paul Farmer, celebrated Global Health specialist, Co-Founder of Partners In Health, and the Kolokotrones University Professor at Harvard University, offered an explanation at the University of Toronto on June 10th.
HHR2014 From Twitter’s Perspective
On March 22nd and 23rd University of Toronto International Health Program held the 16th annual Health and Human Rights Conference. #HHR2014 focused on Global Health And Human Rights From a Child’s Perspective.