Who we are?
We are a 501(c)(3), Non-Profit Organization...
"...Health, which is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is a fundamental human right and that the attainment of the highest possible level of health is a most important world-wide social goal whose realization requires the action of many other social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector." - The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978
Global health and working toward alleviating existing health disparities in the 196 sovereign countries today is a task for all, not just providers in the respective nation’s healthcare systems. The Global Infectious Disease Initiative will work to unite the world’s premiere infectious disease providers to combat epidemics from a variety of angles, including: social, economic, health, and policy.
Dr. Folarin Olubowale, a Nigerian trained physician, recognizes his obligation to his motherland and, over the course of several decades in the United States, has come to the realization that many other practitioners share the same attitude. Oftentimes, physicians are trained using a nation’s resources and take their talents elsewhere, be it for better opportunity or a host of other factors. The practice of global health recognizes the newfound fluidity of our borders with increased capacity for travel, increasing rates of cross-cultural families/relationships, and improving nation-state relations in Europe, Africa, North America, Asia, and South America. As our borders become less and less rigid, the health of our international sisters and brothers impacts us all the more.
As it stands today, many nations are fighting mostly infectious diseases not often seen in more affluent parts of the globe, including illnesses like: trachoma, elephantiasis, malaria, tuberculosis, parasitic infections, and a suite of other neglected diseases on the part of what we call “the West”. Many nations are also crossing into what global health enthusiasts call the “dual burden” state—where there exists an alarming rate of infectious disease and chronic disease prevalence is on the rise as well. Finally, there are the more wealthy nations struggling with issues like chronic disease and obesity. There exist a multitude of factors that can lead to the manifestation of these three situations, but the concept must be understood that the onus lies on each and every one of us to work towards solutions.
Work with the Global Infectious Disease Initiative to better the health of your countrymen, wherever that may be.
