In recognition of World Health Day and the World Health Organization’s “1,000 Cities, 1,000 Lives” Campaign, UCLA and USC kicked off its second annual Global Health Awareness Week with a Women’s Health Conference.
Dr. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Shelia Briggs and Dr. Karen Baird discuss gentricide, Trinidad, and public health policy.
Monday’s conference, held at the USC Davidson Center, focused on “The Ethics of State Involvement in Women’s Health,” addressing how the laws and policies of a country affect women’s health. Experts came from many parts of the country, and the world, including India.
The participants discussed the influence of the Catholic Church on public policy related to abortion, the ethics of restricting the availability of infant formula and U.S. family planning policy, among other topics.
Global Health Awareness Week’s larger focus will be on urbanization and health in different regions of the world.
“Over the last few years, the world has witnessed a massive human migration from rural to urban areas. High concentrations of people unincorporated into formal city life make up the large slums in countries in all stages of development where health problems are exacerbated by poverty and lack of access to basic services,” according to a letter from the directors of Global Health Awareness Week, found in the brochure.
Shelia Briggs, Debra DeLaet and Dr. Karen Baird talk about the Catholic Church, funding for public health and health policy. Video by Madeleine Scinto.
Problems such as inadequate housing, overcrowding, air pollution, poor hygiene and sanitation, diseases, the stress from unemployment and violence contribute to a growing public health problem, said the brochure. The directors of Global Health Awareness Week say they hope participants will be exposed to the range of health issues facing developing communities and discuss what actions would promote positive change on a local and global level.
