Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum

To continue our discussions about Innovation in Global Health, we focused on an article featuring virtual reality (VR) some time back.

Can VR be a useful tool in areas such as health care? From training medical students with VR technology models to supplying pain relief distractions during labor and childbirth, this technology may be a far-reaching tool for helping out the health of our nation's people. However, drawbacks can occur, including unsustainable costs and greater health care inequality due to different access to resources in different intersections of the population. Opportunities and dangers abound for the union of these two fields.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2018/07/10/virtual-reality-isnt-just-for-gamers-anymore-it-will-change-your-health/

Credits to our amazing Ben Rhee for leading this discussion and contributing to this post.

Thank you so much, Ben!

Virtual Reality Isn't Just For Gamers Anymore; It Will Change Your Health I believe that Virtual Reality technologies have the potential to radically change and substantially improve health-related behavior, and thus radically improve health and wellbeing, by equipping individuals with new and powerful tools to make smart decisions and engage in healthier behavior.

With new gene editing technologies like CRISPR continuing to revolutionize the face of science, more ethical and scientific questions continue to arise. How can governments and regulators regulate upcoming new technologies? How should we face the ethical implications of editing human and other species’ DNA? How do we make these discoveries and treatments accessible to people throughout the world?

During HUGHF’s last discussion, we examined three articles about the applications of gene editing in global health through the lenses of medicine, agriculture, and ethics. We explored the incredible potential offered by gene editing for everything from producing more drought-resistant crops in light of climate change to the ramifications of producing mutations in human embryos and malaria-prone mosquitoes. You can find the links to the articles below!

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/16/712402435/first-u-s-patients-treated-with-crispr-as-gene-editing-human-trials-get-underway

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genetic-mutation-in-crispr-babies-may-shorten-life-span/

https://yaleglobalhealthreview.com/2017/05/14/crisprcas9-and-the-future-of-global-health/

Credits to our amazing Brian Wee for leading this discussion and writing this post.

Thank you so much, Brian!

First U.S. Patients Treated With CRISPR As Human Gene-Editing Trials Get Underway This could be a crucial year for the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR as researchers start testing it in patients to treat diseases such as cancer, blindness and sickle cell disease.

What if artificial intelligence could help us diagnose cancer with greater accuracy? Would you trust it over a doctor? Regardless of what your answer is, it seems that we won't have to wait too long to see new technologies like this implemented in clinics and hospitals.

In our last discussion, we took a look at a New York Times article featuring a new technology being developed by Google, which aims to detect lung cancers on CT scans. We considered not only the positive outcomes that AI could have on our health, but also other important implications that need to be considered, including privacy, monitoring, and regulation.

Link to the article attached below!

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/health/cancer-artificial-intelligence-ct-scans.html?module=inline

A.I. Took a Test to Detect Lung Cancer. It Got an A. Artificial intelligence may help doctors make more accurate readings of CT scans used to screen for lung cancer.

This week HUGHF had the pleasure of meeting with Hassaan Ebrahim, CEO of Hikma Health, a nonprofit organization that improves patient care in underserved and refugee populations by creating personalized data systems for healthcare providers.

Hassaan explained the importance of collecting health data and its impact on diagnosis, resource allocation, and patient outcomes. He also discussed the current challenges in health data analysis as well as key strategies to overcome them.

Thank you so much, Hassaan!

https://www.hikmahealth.org/

Hi everyone!

HUGHF is back and off to a good start. Last week we had our first meeting, during which we introduced our theme for the semester (Innovation in Global Health) and welcomed new faces!

We had a brief discussion about the Innovation Countdown 2030 (IC2030) initiative (link below), highlighted the importance of innovation in global health, and shared creative projects that are changing lives around the world.

Does any of this sound interesting? If the answer is yes, feel free to come to any of our meetings. Everyone is always welcomed in HUGHF!

We meet every Thursday in Sever 101 from 7-8pm.

http://ic2030.org/report/?fbclid=IwAR1AedEy2dCVpFiyjexByjw-WlYNWTA4EdTjI4s21Dhjbx0awcQGpvgOOsg

ic2030.org

HUGHF is excited to kick off the Fall 2019 Semester! Join us for weekly discussions, guest speakers, advocacy efforts, and more. There’s no comp process and new members are always welcome. Our first meeting is Thursday Sept. 19 from 7-8pm in Sever 107. Hope to see you all there!

Arts for Warm Hearts brought together students from across campus -- from arts groups to global health groups to homeless shelter staff -- in an effort to raise funds for the local homeless community in Harvard Square.

Extra layers of warmth from gloves, socks, and hats can help those experiencing homelessness avoid direct cold-related injuries and prevent the exacerbation of existing health issues. After studying the relationship between health and housing, HUGHF organized the inaugural Arts for Warm Hearts (AWH) fundraiser in winter 2019, donating proceeds to Harvard Square’s student-run homeless shelters to buy warm gear for guests. Thanks to the sale of student art, HUGHF raised $100 each for Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and Y2Y.

For the art sale, Harvard community members donated original pieces ranging from portrait paintings to pen drawings. HUGHF displayed photos of the art on an online platform, where Harvard students could claim any piece for $4. Arts for Warm Hearts allowed students to brighten their dorm "homes" while supporting those in Harvard Square without a home of their own.

In total, the fundraiser sold 40 pieces of community art. Olivia Tai ’19 and Emily Hong ’21 donated the greatest number of artworks, with Olivia sharing nine paintings and drawings and Emily contributing eleven graphic designs. Former Leverett House Faculty Dean Ann Georgi donated five photographs from her experience as a birdwatcher.

HUGHF would like to thank all the artists and students who made AWH possible!

On April 27th, HUGHF welcomed newly-admitted students at a Global Health Open House. The event took place during Visitas Weekend and brought together global health-related student groups across campus, including VISION, MEDLIFE, FIMRC, PIHE, GAMI, HHPR, PHE, Harvard UNICEF, and Harvard College Red Cross.

The space allowed students to learn about global health courses, research opportunities, summer internships, and student groups.

HUGHF was excited to meet so many talented students from different backgrounds and to discuss our meetings, dinner discussions, advocacy efforts, social activities, and more.

Big thanks to the Harvard Global Health Institute for their support, all the student groups for making this happen, and everyone that stopped by!

Hi everyone!

Please visit HUGHF's blog to learn about our past dinner discussion with Professor Kevin Croke as well as other highlights of this semester.

Spring 2019 Dinner Discussion On April 22, 2019, HUGHF hosted a dinner discussion with Professor Kevin Croke from the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Professor Croke...

Happy Friday everyone!

This week we focussed our discussion on the current state of many infectious diseases worldwide, including HIV, Ebola, and Malaria.

As the semester is coming to an end, we will be having our last meeting next Monday 04/22 in Sever 104. Please join us for a dinner discussion with Professor Kevin Croke from Harvard's Department of Global Health and Population.

Hope to see you there! Everyone is more than welcome.

https://www.contagionlive.com/news/world-health-day-2019-evaluating-the-infectious-disease-landscape

World Health Day 2019: Evaluating the Infectious Disease Landscape Contagion® is reflecting on the advancements in treatment and prevention that have been made in infectious diseases while identifying areas that need further improvement to reduce preventable deaths globally.

Hi everyone!

Today we introduced the second topic for the semester: "Infectious Diseases and Epidemics" by discussing an article about the healthcare system in Venezuela and its implications for the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria within the country and Latin America.

Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/21/venezuela-crisis-threatens-disease-epidemic-across-continent-experts

If you would like to learn more about what we do, feel free to join us next Monday 7-8pm in Sever 104. Everyone is always welcome!

Venezuela crisis threatens disease epidemic across continent - experts Collapse of Venezuela’s healthcare system could fuel spread of malaria across region

Global Health Game Night

Big thanks to everyone that joined us this past Monday for great conversations, board games, and lots of food!

Everyone is always more than welcome in our meetings and events. If you would like to learn more about HUGHF and what we do, please join us on Mondays 7-8pm in Sever 104.

Happy Monday!!

As we approach the end of the semester, we are having our last meeting today at Sever 101, from 7-8pm.

The 2019 HUGHF president(s) will be elected tonight. We wish all our candidates the best of luck!

Join HUGHF today at Sever 101, from 7-8 pm!

We will be working on writing advocacy letters and op-eds. Topics will focus on international aid issues of your choice!

Happy Monday everyone!

Friendly remainder that our meeting is happening today at Sever 101 from 7-8 pm.

As always, everyone is welcome!

We are meeting today at Sever 101 from 8-9 pm!! Hope to see you there!

Join us tomorrow at Sever 101 from 7-8pm as we discuss the international response to the recent tsunami in Indonesia and Yemen's dependency on foreign aid.

Anyone is always welcomed!

The Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum (HUGHF) is excited to kick off the Fall 2018 semester! New members are welcome from all years! Join HUGHF for weekly discussions, guest speakers, advocacy efforts, and connections to field work! There is no comp, and all are welcome to join our meetings and events at any time! Ask our board members (Caroline Diggins Natalie Swartz Emily Luu Sara Wetzler Anthony Zhong Maxwell Ho Megan Galbreath Matthew Hirschfeld Rachael Han Albert Mao) what they love about HUGHF!

Join our email list at the Student Involvement Fair on 9/7 and come by our info session with MEDLIFE on Sunday 9/9 from 4pm-5pm in Boylston 105.

Spring 2018: Global Mental Health - Speakers In spring 2018, HUGHF hosted visiting speakers for engaging dinner discussions about global mental health. ​Sheena Wood spoke to HUGHF about her field experience at a mental health clinic in India...

Spring 2018: Global Mental Health - Advocacy HUGHF

Spring 2018: Global Mental Health - Presentations HUGHF dedicated the first half of the spring 2018 semester to studying global mental health. Our members came away from weekly meetings, dinner discussions, and letter-writing advocacy with an...

Add this filter to your profile picture to support Malaria Assassins!

Show your support by changing your profile picture Take a few seconds to show the world how much you support fighting Malaria. Add our special edition Malaria Assassins frame to your Facebook profile picture!

Malaria assassins takes place 4/13-4/25.

We organize games of assassins within Harvard's campus to raise engagement with malaria.

Sign up to play to help us assassinate malaria!

The last student standing in your house is the Malaria Assassins champion!

Sign up at:
https://malariaassassins.herokuapp.com/register #/

Use the registration code for your house/yard:
Eliot House--gftp
Lowell House--Tb6r
Test House--NKDt
Dhruv's Housizzle--zLmc
Winthrop House--v2sD
Cabot House--B4qM
School of Public Health--UCTD
Adams House--ay83
Oak Yard--Z9Rg
Ivy Yard--5HN3
Elm Yard--Z4FX
Crimson Yard--VnqZ
Leverett House--kRrA
Mather House--jzDy
Currier House--bzsN
Dunster House--K6Cx
Kirkland House --Emak

This event is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Defeating Malaria Initiative.

Malaria Assassins Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum Natalie Swartz Caroline Diggins Matthew Hirschfeld Lilly Scherban Maxwell Ho Anthony Zhong Emily Luu Megan Galbreath Albert Mao

Hi everyone,

HUGHF is hosting an amazing opportunity related to GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH on Thursday that we want to share with you.

When:
This Thursday, 3/22, 7-8pm

What:
Harvard alums that currently work in the field of global mental health are coming to speak about their work and share advice about paths in pursuit of global health. Additionally, there are happy to answer any specific questions.

Where:
Leverett House, McKinlock Building, Senior Common Room

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or specific concerns.

Best,
HUGHF

ORDER NOW: TEDDY BEAR CARE PACKAGES FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH FUNDRAISER !!

(Order here: https://goo.gl/forms/iB3fYqfxpZc96muN2 )

During midterm season, you can send friends a teddy bear care package for just $4 to support mental health on campus and abroad! HUGHF will be selling teddy bear care packages to raise money for the amazing global mental health organization StrongMinds.

Each gift package will include a personalized message, a teddy bear, 2 large chocolate bars, and Hershey kisses and a mental health advocacy tip sheet. ORDER HERE: https://goo.gl/forms/iB3fYqfxpZc96muN2

StrongMinds delivers mental health services to women with depression in Uganda and is working to expand its group therapy model throughout Africa. We are continuing the Harvard community's support for Strong Minds following the fundraiser by the Harvard Students in Mental Health Research (SIMHR) last month.

When you order a care package for a friend, you support mental health on campus and in Uganda.

All you have do is fill out this order form (https://goo.gl/forms/g9gCEj7tE77irb5g2) to send a stuffed animal care package to help your friends through the end of the semester. The form closes Thursday, 3/8. Care packages will be delivered the first day back from Spring Break.

Each package is only $4!

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions or specific requests.

Teddy Bear Care Package

This semester HUGHF is going to be learning and talking about the challenges of mental illness both at a local and global level. And to start this off we are supporting the Bell Let's Talk program. Today is Bell Let’s Talk day, a day that Canada dedicates to raising awareness and encouraging conversations about mental health. And today, to raise awareness, they are going to donate 5cents to Canadian mental health initiatives for every text sent, tweet posted, view on their Facebook video...check out the page and learn more about how to get involved at: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/

Grab your coffee on the go…it’s Day! Here’s how you can get involved: bell.ca/letstalk

Our co-presidents Caroline Diggins and Natalie Swartz make the case for President Trump to push for increased federal funding to combat the opioid epidemic. Read their piece in the Harvard Political Review below!

The Case for Federal Funding for the Opioid Epidemic | Harvard Political Review Senator Patty Murray (D – Wash.), pictured speaking, has advocated for a stronger federal response to the opioid epidemic.