Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health
Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health.
A new exhibit at the National Library of Medicine
Located on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland (just outside of Washington, DC), the exhibit examines the revolution in global health taking place in towns and cities around the world. Communities, in collaboration with scientists, advocates, governments, and international organizations, are working on an international level to investigate complex global health issues, ranging from community health and conflict to disease and discrimination.
Free of charge and open to the public, this exhibition introduces some of the scientists, advocates, communities, and organizations who have made a difference—working together, against the odds, for the benefit of all.
Prior to the public opening on April 17th, the Library held an opening program featuring a global health panel moderated by CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen featuring young activists and health advocates featured in the exhibit. A webcast of the panel is available for viewing here: http://videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=14435
The approximately 4,000 square foot exhibit is comprised of six different sections including:
- Food for Life; Brazil and its citizens are featured in this area of the exhibit as the country is currently facing an epidemic of obesity as well as a lingering crisis of hunger and malnutrition.
- Action on AIDS; In the face of discrimination, negligence, stigma, and ignorance, advocates for health and human rights have fought against the spread of the disease.
- An End to Violence; Physicians and campaigners have used evidence gathered by medical personnel and the testimony of witnesses to highlight the terrible toll of warfare. This work has led to treaties banning the use of landmines and agreements against nuclear weapons testing.
Additional information about the exhibit, including directions and docent-led tour information can be found at www.nlm.nih.gov/againsttheodds.
The exhibit web site also contains interactive features for those not able to visit such as:
- Games and instructional resources for middle- and high-school students and educators
- Global health perspective database, where readers can join in the dialogue on global health issues
- Monthly columns from global thought leaders reflecting on current events, key issues, or historical milestones in global health
