University Teaching and Global Health

Global health is a challenge to define, and even more of a challenge to improve. A broad definition of global health is given by the United States Institute of Medicine as health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries, may be influenced by circumstances or experiences in other countries, and are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions (1). Most medical and post graduate students in rich countries think that there should be more teaching on global health issues, and many have led the way in calling for global health to be included in their curriculum. Little is known, however, a prosal is given. A broad understanding of health throughout the world, for diverse populations, is essential if doctors are to be seen as experts in health. If health professionals are to have a strong voice in discussions on health, they must grasp the international dimensions of their subject.