Events, conditions and trends on the global level influence every aspect of health in the United States. Globalization is making these impacts more rapid, complicated and significant. The air we breath, food we eat, medicines we use, jobs we work at and the oil we need for our transportation and industry – are all increasingly interconnected with health and well-being of people we will never meet in nations we may never visit. Current U.S. defense policy, foreign policy and political relations with the United Nations are inadequate and insufficient for effectively preventing potentially catastrophic costs associated with the spread of infectious diseases, terrorism, pollution, species extinction, genocide, poverty, high birth rates, refugees, drug abuse, prostitution, trafficking, climate change, corruption, poverty and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Humanitarian concern has been insufficient to significantly shift public policy. Detailing the human and economic costs of failing to make vital shifts in U.S. policies provide an effective tool for changing the hearts and minds of elected officials. Organizing others in your congressional district who share your values and concerns can help translate concern into effective policy changes. Working with the media can provide the effective means of educating your community and your elected officials using specific details of interdependence. The final report of The U.S. Commission on National Security in the 21st Century and other prestigious reports clearly document the new threats American face. Sweeping changes in government are coming. Public Health professionals must help shape those changes.
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. List and describe at least five ways that local health concerns are improved by adequately addressing global health needs. 2. Articulate these connections effectively to the local print media and 3 key policy makers. 3. Develop a strategy for organizing one local event and/or an advocacy network of ten or more people willing to generate political will in support of adequate US/UN funding and appropriate policies to meet basic international health needs.
Keywords: Advocacy, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Local-Global connection organizing efforts by the Global Health Council, RESULTS, United Nations Association, Global Connections Foundation, and the World Federalist Association will be offered as models and groups to work with when they return home.
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.