Families USA's Global Health Initiative advocates for U.S. policies that advance global health research, with the goal of developing medical technologies to improve global health.
November 5, 2008
In This Issue:
Policy Updates
1. Congress in Session
News and Reports
2. NIH Fogarty International Center Newsletter: Global Health Matters
3. Malaria Takes on the Top Meds
4. New Report Finds Rising Risk of Infectious Diseases in America
5. Risk of Disease Rises with Water Temperature
6. Drug Discovery for Neglected Diseases
7. A Guide to Drug Discovery
Events
8. The Role of Science in Advancing Global Health Diplomacy
9. Congressional Briefing: Global Health IS America’s Health
10. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 57th Annual Meeting
Policy Updates
1. Congress in Session
Congress will be in session from November 17 through November 21, before the Thanksgiving recess. During this time, Congress will likely vote on an economic stimulus package. This package might include additional funding for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Please call your legislators and tell them that medical research spurs economic growth in their home state. For a more detailed explanation of the connection between state economic growth and medical research funded by NIH, go here.
News and Reports
2. NIH Fogarty International Center Newsletter: Global Health Matters
Global Health Matters (NIH News, September/October 2008)
"Little Known Locally, but Resonant Globally,” the Fogarty Center celebrates its 40th anniversary and honors Congressman John E. Fogarty for his service and foresight in public health locally and globally. Read more about the work Fogarty has done around the globe, from its training programs to Fogarty researchers on Chagas and nutrition.
To read the newsletter, click here.
3. Malaria Takes on the Top Meds
Malaria Takes on the Top Meds (ScienceNews, October 28, 2008)
“Like a basketball team that plays best against its toughest opponents, the parasite that causes malaria is showing signs of thwarting the most potent drugs currently used against it.”
To read the article, click here.
4. New Report Finds Rising Risk of Infectious Diseases in America
New Report Finds Rising Risk of Infectious Diseases in America (MarketWatch.com, October 29, 2008)
"Infectious diseases are not just a crisis for the developing world. They are a real threat right here, right now to America's economy, security, and health system," said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH. "Infectious diseases can come without warning, crossing boarders, often before people even know they are sick. Americans are more vulnerable than we think we are, and our public health defenses are not as strong as they should be."
To read the article, click here.
To read the report Germs Go Global: Why Emerging Infectious Diseases Are a Threat to America, (TFAH, October 2008) click here.
5. Risk of Disease Rises with Water Temperature
Risk of Disease Rises with Water Temperature (Washington Post, October 20, 2008)
"When a 1991 cholera outbreak that killed thousands in Peru was traced to plankton blooms fueled by warmer-than-usual coastal waters, linking disease outbreaks to epidemics was a new idea. Now, scientists say, it is a near-certainty that global warming will drive significant increases in waterborne diseases around the world.”
To read the article describing their work, click here.
6. Drug Discovery for Neglected Diseases
Drug Discovery for Neglected Diseases (Nature, November 2008)
“In recent years, public, private and philanthropic organizations worldwide have started to work together to discover and develop new medicines to treat neglected diseases. This month, we feature two people involved in these public–private partnerships.”
To read the article, click here.
7. A Guide to Drug Discovery
A Guide to Drug Discovery (Nature, ongoing)
“Articles in this series provide an accessible discussion of a particular aspect of the process of turning ideas into drugs. The aim is to allow readers with limited knowledge of a given area to become familiar with the key concepts and techniques involved. Written by those closely involved in the discovery process, these articles aim to provide insights that will aid in future drug discovery programs.”
To access this guide, click here.
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8. The Role of Science in Advancing Global Health Diplomacy
Date: November 12, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Georgetown University Law Center’s Hart Auditorium, 600 New Jersey Ave., NW
Hosts: Fogarty International Center, Georgetown University, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
To RSVP: No cost, but reservations are required. To RSVP, go here.
9. Congressional Briefing: Global Health IS America’s Health
Date: November 18, 2008
Time: noon-2:00pm
Place: Rayburn House Office Building Room 2168 (Gold Room)
For more information and to RSVP go here.
10. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 57th Annual Meeting
Date: December 7-11, 2008
Location: Sheraton New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
For more information go here.
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Have you lived or worked in a developing country? Have you witnessed the hardships and struggles of communities living with illness and without treatment? Or perhaps you fell ill while abroad? Whatever your global health story is, we want to know it. Click here to tell us your story.
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