The Global Health Fair will take place as part of the U of A's International Week 2017.
Health issues are a shared concern around the world when it comes to access, prevention and treatment. The breakthroughs of health researchers in Canada not only benefit the local health care system, but also have the potential to help tend to the needs of millions of people everywhere. What is the U of A doing to build a better, healthier world?
To answer this question, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry's Division of Community Engagement and the U of A's Biomedical Global Health Research Network (BGHRN) with the Medical Students' Association are pleased to host the annual Global Health Fair on January 30. As part of International Week 2017 programming themed around "Transitions to a better world," this event showcases the advances and activities in biomedical research happening right here that aim to tackle issues of global health.
What is global health?
The term "global health" includes many factors that impact health in the context of developing countries, such basic services, immunization, medical response to disasters, maternal and child health, cross-cultural training, medical ethics and much more. Find more information and details about the University of Alberta's actions on global health here.
What is the Global Health Fair?
"The Global Health Fair is for anyone interested in the University of Alberta's efforts to address health-related questions that affect populations worldwide," says Joel Dacks, associate professor in the Department of Cell Biology and director of the BGHRN. "It spans clinical, research and educational facets of the FoMD, making it an event that is inclusive of the entire faculty."
What topics will be covered?
One of the highlights of the event is the afternoon poster session that will feature trainees' scholarly work, as well as presentations by medical students who undertook Global Health electives this past summer. "The students who are involved in this section are our global health leaders of the future," adds Jill Konkin, associate dean, community engagement.
This year's keynote speaker is professor Khrisendath Chadee, from the University of Calgary's Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, who will present a talk entitled Pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica-induced colitis: A global health problem in developing nations.
Other topics covered are richly diverse and multidisciplinary including an exploration of how international migration has changed the boundaries of global nutrition, an examination of iron deficiency in pregnancy as a complex health issue and a look at circumpolar health through a design lens.
"I think that it is important for the faculty community to attend because it is a celebration of the U of A's efforts in both research and education, to address global health issues and a chance to become more aware of the work that remains to be done," concludes Dacks.
The event is free and registration is still open. You can register here and download a complete program for the day here.
Event Details
Global Health Fair
Monday, January 30, 2017
11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
2-420 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA)
Global Health Silent Auction
Monday, January 30, 2017
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) near the Medical Sciences Building pedway.
Peruse photos captured by medical students training abroad on international electives and bid on your favourite image for a chance to take it home. Proceeds will go towards a local organization in advocacy of health equity, as selected by the FoMD's Community Engagement team.