Members of the Department of Global Health are making a big showing at the 2011 meeting of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) meeting in Montreal Nov. 13-15. At last count, UW had one plenary speaker -- Patricia Garcia; three moderators -- King Holmes, Judith Wasserheit, Ann Anderson; one commentator -- Stephen Gloyd; one workshop facilitator -- Daren Wade; and one big award for Global Health Project of the Year ( details forthcoming).

U.S. investments in medical education in global health can channel a growing interest in health and humanitarian service to improve socioeconomic conditions in developing countries and help foster long-term sustainability and stronger health systems on the ground. Department Chair King Holmes wants everyone to sign this petition to create a Global Health Service Corps.

An International Clinical Research Center-led study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases showed a troubling link between hormonal contraception and HIV. The study received widespread press coverage because of the popularity of injectable birth control like Depo-Provera in parts of Africa hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. The observational study of nearly 3,800 couples in Africa found that women using hormonal contraception --such as Depo-Provera – are at double the risk of acquiring HIV.

On Sept. 19-20, the United Nations held a big meeting that could affect the future of global health. We have several related news items:
* Two UW physicians -- David Watkins and Jim Logerfo wrote an opinion piece in the Seattle Times on the rise of NCDs. "The chronic-disease pandemic will be the "face" of global health in the coming decades...Seattle can play a leading role in the fight against premature death and disability from chronic diseases."