by Amy Patterson, Department of Politics
During April, two speakers shared their expertise on global health with Amy Patterson’s POLS 321 course (Global Health Governance). On April 14, Dr. David Wilson, Senior Programs Officer at the Gates Foundation, spoke to the class about his work managing health systems projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. He highlighted the Foundation’s emphasis on innovation and investment in new technologies to address challenging health questions such as infant mortality and maternal mortality in low-income countries. The second speaker—Kate Rademacher–previously directed projects on sexual and reproductive health in Africa for the international NGO Family Health International (now FHI 360). Currently a student at the School of Theology, Ms. Rademacher focused on the market forces that contribute to inadequate supply of affordable and effective family planning products in low-income countries. She discussed her involvement in a quality assurance project for contraceptive products that increased market competition and thus, lowered prices.
The speakers helped students to more deeply appreciate the multiple actors involved in global health governance, and they showed the nuanced role of philanthropy, market considerations, and context in providing health access to all. In subsequent discussions, students linked points from the presentations to course concepts, such as the role of data in setting global health priorities. They also commented on the Gates Foundation’s focus on a biomedical, technical approach to health, which contrasted with the focus in the course on the social determinants of health and human rights. They responded to Rademacher’s presentation with comments about about family planning projects in light of the move to decolonize global health.
Finally, the speakers also shared information about their career paths: how they started working in global health, what they enjoy about the work, and what they have learned throughout their careers. Students found their stories inspirational, with many hanging around after class to ask additional questions and to seek career advice.
Thank you to the Center for Teaching for a mini-grant to make these speakers possible!