Title: DC Metro Area Global Health Interest Group
Author:
Section/SPIG: International Health
Issue Date:
A new regional group of individuals interested in international health has been formed in the Washington, DC, metro area. This group is modeled on the successful regional groups in Seattle, San Francisco and other areas and, like those regional groups, allows members to participate in international health fora outside such venues as the APHA Annual Meeting. Participants do not have to be members of APHA, although many are, including members of Sections other than IH.
DC GHIG - the DC metro area Global Health Interest Group - has met three times. The June meeting addressed the then just-completed WHO treaty on tobacco control and the July meeting focused on the language of legislation and procedures for implementing the $15 billion support to HIV/AIDS in Africa. The third meeting on Thursday, September 11, included a discussion of immigrant health care in the United States and lessons learned from international health as applied to domestic service delivery.
The ambiance of the group is informal, with an emphasis on all attendees participating in the discussion, rather than passively listening to a "talking head." The meetings start at the 'after-work' hour of 5:30PM for informal discussion, networking and socializing, typically at a local restaurant or lounge. DC GHIG aims to catalyze new partnerships, cross disciplinary divides, act as a "salon" for probing discussion of events and trends in global health, and more. DC GHIG is open to practitioners, researchers, policy advocates, health officials, graduate students and others involved in global health.
DC GHIG fosters socializing/networking near the start and end of each meeting. During the discussion portion, authoritative guest(s) speak briefly on a topic, followed by extensive Q&A and informal group discussion. Guest speakers have represented policy, programmatic, scientific and government perspectives and different nationalities.
Anyone in the DC Metro area who is interested in proactively participating in the DC-GHIG, including proposing topics for discussion and organizing one of the monthly meetings is encouraged to contact either of the two co-conveners of the regional group: Julie Hantman, , (202) 364-4743, or Curtiss Swezy, <cswezy@cox.net>, (703) 281-1489.
--Curtiss Swezy