Vital

News & commentary about the global health workforce

Turning the Tide on HIV/AIDS Takes Health Workers

As we approach the 2012 International AIDS Conference, it seems time to reflect on the critical role that health workers play in HIV/AIDS services.

Frontline Workers Can Provide High-Touch Solutions to the Family Planning Conundrum

This weekend I returned from a long period of travel, having visited programs in eight countries in six weeks—some where I have lived, others where IntraHealth has had a significant commitment in partnership with the local government and communities, and still more where I feel I have spent so much time visiting over the past 25 years that I have come to feel at home.

Mobile Apps to Support Community Health Workers: Adapting Trusted Content to New Mediums

Hesperian Health Guides staff describe how they adapted print-based health information sources to use on mobile technology.

Family Planning: It Takes a Health Worker—and Saves Money and Lives

We need to invest more, globally, to ensure that health workers are there to expand access and offer services.

Behind the Scenes: Attracting Mainstream Media Attention for Health Workers

An email in my inbox one month ago invited me to attend the first planning meeting for a visit by Pape Gaye, our president and CEO, to Tanzania, but it was also an invitation to elevate health and health workers as newsworthy topics to my former teammates: journalists.

Health Workers Are Change Agents

The shortage of health workers around the world is estimated at over 4 million, and 57 countries are experiencing a critical shortage, defined as having fewer than 2.3 doctors, nurses or midwives per 1,000 population.

Health Under Attack: The Need to Safeguard Health in Conflict

Attacks on hospitals, medical equipment, ambulances, and on health workers themselves gravely limit the access to care of communities in need.

In Memory of Marcus Pridgen: Honoring Excellence

Our beloved colleague Marcus Pridgen passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 after a long illness.

The Changing Landscape of International Development: The Turbulent Journey Ahead

I recently had the honor of co-chairing InterAction Forum 2012 along with Carolyn Miles of Save the Children. This year’s Forum brought more than 1,000 representatives of InterAction’s member...

Skepticism + Playfulness = SwitchPoint?

Last Friday, I sat in the beautiful Haw River Ballroom in the enchanting town of Saxapahaw, North Carolina, with hundreds of eclectic, savvy, and well-traveled individuals at SwitchPoint 2012—IntraHealth’s first annual conference, retreat, and concert on innovation and global health.