PHA-Exch> Global Health Conference - London - November 24th & 25th 2007

[Tim Killeen]

Conference website - http://www.almamata.net/conference


Dear Colleague in International Health,

In today’s globalised world, health and economics are inextricably bound
together:  A trade agreement on one continent can cause a farmer and her family
to slip in or out of poverty on another.  For millions of Americans who cannot
afford health insurance, a diagnosis of cancer can mean bankruptcy or worse. 
Even the human devastation of 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa living
with HIV/AIDS is regularly seen translated into õ billion dollars of lost GDP. 
Health worker migration, the focus if the WHO’s 2006 World Health Report and
all too often a crippling drain on developing countries, is driven by economic
inequalities.

Health services around the world are in a state of transformation.  Societies
emerging from periods of conflict, like Somaliland, Afghanistan and East Timor
are making decisions as to the form their rebuilt health systems will take. 
Eastern Europe and Latin America are beginning to face the economic
implications of an aging and sedentary population already causing huge
challenges in Europe and Japan.  Corporate healthcare provision is advancing
the world over, from microfinance projects in Africa to private finance
initiatives (PFI) in the British National Health Service.  Can the idea of
equitable healthcare for all be sustained in the face of these global
transformations?

An understanding of health economics is vital to the globally-aware health
professional.  Yet the reporting of the controversies surrounding this complex
subject are often reliant on simplified and polarised views, making it hard to
understand what is really happening and who is most affected.

Alma Mata is a network of over 900 health professionals, students and allied
disciplines interested in global health education and training.  We are hosting
a two-day conference “Global Health Directions 3: Commercialisation and Health”
to introduce delegates to the field of health economics in an international
context.  The key themes, current trends and critical issues which will affect
the choices delegates make during their future careers in global health will be
explored from a variety of perspectives.  A deeper understanding of the
relationship between economics and health will inspire conference-goers to
strengthen their desire to work in global health and provide the clarity they
need to take informed stands on the issues surrounding commercialisation.

The conference will take place at UCL's Institute of Child Health in central
London, UK.  We have exclusive hire of this fresh, exciting venue on Saturday
24th and Sunday 25th November 2007. Its central London location and proximity
to Euston and King’s Cross stations, as well as local mass-transit from other
national and international transport networks means that the conference will
attract delegates from across the UK and beyond.

The conference will conclude with a global health careers fair and roundtable
discussion on the future of postgraduate training in international health.  We
look forward to seeing you there!

Tim Killeen
Alma Mata Working Group
http://www.almamata.net