USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health

It’s not too late! Register for “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST.

This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global

The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-power

Register today for “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST!

This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global

The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-powe

Catch up on all things IIGH with our August newsletter—packed with information on our research, policy initiatives, educational programs, and the dynamic role of our students.

Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/usc/iigh-newsletter-aug2024

Elevate your impact at the intersection of communications and global health!

IIGH, USC’s Center for Communications Leadership and Policy (CCLP), and Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) are now offering a Senior Fellowship in Global Health Communications Leadership. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, this fellowship provides leaders, journalists, writers, authors, researchers, academics, and creators the chance to propose and collaborate on a project that advances shared goals at the intersection of communications and global health.

Fellows join a dynamic community of CCLP Senior Fellows, bringing their expertise and passion for global health to this prestigious fellowship cohort. They have the opportunity to join a growing community at the USC Capital Campus in the heart of Washington, D.C., established in 2023 as a coast-to-coast bridge for interdisciplinary researchers and policy experts to address national and global challenges in closer collaboration with leading government and academic institutions.

Fellows are accepted on a rolling basis. For more details or to discuss a fellowship proposal, reach out to IIGH Director of Policy Engagement, Jonathan Cohen ([email protected]), or Annenberg Center Washington Programs Director, Adam Clayton Powell III ([email protected]).

Are you a USC student committed to addressing global health inequalities? Interested in meeting other students with shared interests and passions? Interested in building professional relationships with global health researchers and practitioners from inside USC and around the world? Apply now for the 2024–2025 Institute on Inequalities in Global Health Student Advisory Council!

The Student Advisory Council (SAC) comprises a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate and graduate students from across the university. Serving on the Student Advisory Council offers a unique community- and skills-building experience for students across all schools at USC engaged in and concerned with the intersections of health and inequality.
Over the course of the academic year, SAC members work together and actively inform, shape and improve student engagement and programming at IIGH. Students gain valuable experience and access to a distinguished, worldwide network of researchers, policymakers, and advocates addressing inequalities in global health.

Applications are due Friday, August 30th at 11:59 p.m. PDT! To apply, follow this link:
tinyurl.com/SACapp24

For more information about eligibility and commitments, please visit our website: tinyurl.com/SACinfo24

📢 Reminder! RSVP for the event “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST.

This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global

The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-power

Mark your calendar for the event “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST.

This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global
The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-power

Don’t forget to register to join us online or in Washington, DC for the Africa-U.S. forum: “Intergenerational Solidarity: An Issue for African Health Systems” on Monday, August 26, at 6:00 am PDT/9:00 am ET.

In the lead-up to the UN Summit of the Future, we will hear from African experts on what solidarity between current and future generations looks like for Africa’s health systems — from promoting health equity across the entire life course; to fostering intergenerational programs and services; to adapting health systems to meet the challenge and opportunity of demographic change.

This forum is being held in partnership between the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy’s Africa-U.S. Forum and the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health. The monthly Africa-U.S. forums are presented with George Washington University, Howard University, the University of the Witwatersrand (in Johannesburg), and the Public Diplomacy Council of America.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/Intergenerational-Solidarity

University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at USC, Keck School of Medicine of USC, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USC Annenberg Center - CCLP, The George Washington University, Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, The Public Diplomacy Council of America, Howard University

🗓️ Save the Date!

As we kick off our 5th anniversary event series, we invite you to join us for the first of these events as we analyze past and current global health power dynamics, promising models, and imagine new formulations committed to more equitable global health governance and practice. This first event “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” will take place on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST. This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global

The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-power

Join us virtually or in Washington, DC for the Africa-U.S. forum: “Intergenerational Solidarity: An Issue for African Health Systems” on Monday, August 26, at 6:00 am PDT/9:00 am ET.

In the lead-up to the UN Summit of the Future, we will hear from African experts on what solidarity between current and future generations looks like for Africa’s health systems — from promoting health equity across the entire life course; to fostering intergenerational programs and services; to adapting health systems to meet the challenge and opportunity of demographic change.

This forum is being held in partnership between the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy’s Africa-U.S. Forum and the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health. The monthly Africa-U.S. forums are presented with George Washington University, Howard University, the University of the Witwatersrand (in Johannesburg), and the Public Diplomacy Council of America.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/Intergenerational-Solidarity

Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USC Annenberg Center - CCLP, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at USC, The George Washington University, Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, The Public Diplomacy Council of America, Howard University

🎉 IIGH is celebrating 5 years! 🎉

Since our launch in 2019, we have sought to shine a light on inequality and injustice in all aspects of our work—from the research and trainings we do, to our events and strategic collaborations with partners worldwide. Over the past five years, we’ve not only continued our work with long-standing collaborators but forged new alliances with civil society organizations, academic institutions, and governmental and United Nations agencies. Our efforts are shaping public policy and providing educational opportunities for students across disciplines, equipping the next generation of global health leaders to tackle the complex intersections of health disparities.

As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and conduct research that addresses health disparities on a global scale. Through our research, education, and policy initiatives, we are committed to prioritizing equity and human rights, and working for the health of marginalized populations in all contexts. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated faculty, passionate students, supportive partners, and colleagues at USC and around the world who strengthen and reinforce our efforts to make the IIGH mission possible.

Despite significant progress in addressing some areas of health inequality, global disparities persist, accompanied by increasing setbacks in human rights protections worldwide. In light of these challenges, we are framing our 5th anniversary event series under the theme "Until We Are All Equal." The series includes three virtual events, addressing power, partnerships and rights with a culminating in-person event hosted on the USC campus in December 2024, all intended to spur our work together and help us to build momentum for the next chapter.

🗓️ Save the Date!

As we kick off our 5th anniversary event series, we invite you to join us for the first of these events as we analyze past and current global health power dynamics, promising models, and imagine new formulations committed to more equitable global health governance and practice. This first event “Until We Are All Equal: Imagining Equal Power” will take place on Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 am PDT/12:00 pm EDT/6:00 pm CEST. This one-hour virtual event will foreground the theories and practical implications of unequal power in the sphere of global health. We will discuss how, as academics, students, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers, we can recognize and disrupt power structures in order to bring equity to the forefront of actions impacting health and wellbeing.

Our speakers include:
• Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
• Solange Baptiste, Executive Director, ITPC Global
The conversation will begin with an introduction from IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen.

Stay tuned for our October, November, and December events, with further details to be shared soon.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/iigh-imagining-equal-power

We’re looking back on a successful week of events and activities with leadership and participation from IIGH faculty, staff, and Youth Ambassadors at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. Alongside long standing colleagues and students from the University of São Paulo, we convened with other global leaders, researchers, and activists to share knowledge, best practices, and lessons from 40 years of HIV response, as well as insights into COVID-19, mpox, and other public health challenges.

IIGH was actively involved in a week full of dynamic presentations, discussions, and poster sessions featuring IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and IIGH Research Director Laura Ferguson. Topics included advancing U=U research, tackling HIV-related stigma, exploring health and human rights issues, advocating for the decriminalization of s*x work, and examining legal frameworks impacting HIV services. Meanwhile, our Youth Ambassadors participated in powerful sessions and workshops in the Global Village and learned from peer networks of other engaged young people who care about HIV, s*xual rights, and s*xual health. We look forward to the ways in which they will continue to learn from one another, now and in the future.

Through interviews conducted with a range of young people in the Global Village, including youth activists, researchers, artists, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and more – Youth Ambassadors gathered insights to begin work on how we can advance positive conversations about s*xual health and rights in the digital space. Key takeaways included the impact of advocacy and storytelling, the role of youth in driving change, and the importance of culturally sensitive, destigmatizing language in reducing HIV discrimination.

You can watch the Ambassadors' reels to hear directly from them about their experiences and firsthand insights from the week here: https://www.instagram.com/uscglobalhealth/reels/.

Exciting new 1-year NIH global health research opportunity for students, residents, fellows, pre- and postdoctoral researchers.

Interested candidates may apply directly until October 1, 2024, or contact Prof. Jeffrey Klausner, [email protected] for more information.

https://medicine.yale.edu/yigh/ghes/

Are you a USC student committed to addressing global health inequalities? Interested in meeting other students with shared interests and passions? Interested in building professional relationships with global health researchers and practitioners from inside USC and around the world? Apply now for the 2024–2025 Institute on Inequalities in Global Health Student Advisory Council!

The Student Advisory Council (SAC) comprises a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate and graduate students from across the university. Serving on the Student Advisory Council offers a unique community- and skills-building experience for students across all schools at USC engaged in and concerned with the intersections of health and inequality.

Over the course of the academic year, SAC members work together and actively inform, shape and improve student engagement and programming at IIGH. Students gain valuable experience and access to a distinguished, worldwide network of researchers, policymakers, and advocates addressing inequalities in global health.

Applications are due Friday, August 30th at 11:59 p.m. PST! To apply, follow this link:
tinyurl.com/SACapp24

For more information about eligibility and commitments, please visit our website: tinyurl.com/SACinfo24

Youth Ambassadors report from Munich! Our delegation of Youth Ambassadors, along with IIGH staff, faculty, and colleagues working with us on the program from the University of São Paulo, have been engaging with a wide range of partners both new and old at the 2024 International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. In the Global Village, Ambassadors are interviewing a range of young people, from HIV activists to researchers from every corner of the globe who graciously are lending their insights to how we can drive positive change for the full realization of s*xual health and rights for all young people globally.

Between participating in sessions that range on topics from decriminalization to expanding access to testing, we are building peer networks of active and engaged young people who care about HIV, s*xual rights, and s*xual health, and who will continue to learn from one another, now and in the future. Stay tuned for more updates to come!

About the program: Our Youth Ambassador program cultivates the next generation of s*xual health and rights advocates. Through mentorship, professional development, and exposure to key global health forums, our Ambassadors gain invaluable experience and skills that help amplify youth voices in digital and other spaces. This program is helping shape tomorrow's global heath champions, fostering innovation, and driving meaningful change for s*xual and reproductive health and rights worldwide.

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IIGH is participating in several events during the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, with a delegation of faculty, staff, and Youth Ambassadors, alongside colleagues and fellows from the University of São Paulo.

This conference gathers thousands of participants from around the globe to exchange knowledge, best practices, and lessons from the HIV response over the past 40 years, as well as insights from tackling COVID-19, mpox, and other public health challenges.

We will join our friends and colleagues for a week of dynamic presentations, discussions, and poster sessions featuring IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin and IIGH Research Director Laura Ferguson. In addition to attending various events in the Global Village, Youth Ambassadors will conduct interviews with other young people in attendance. Stay tuned for their exciting content in the upcoming weeks!

See below for events IIGH will be attending in Munich!

July 21: IIGH and Youth Ambassadors will attend the AIDS 2024 Global Village Opening Ceremony and pre-conferences.

July 22: IIGH Research Director Laura Ferguson will speak at the pre-conference “Setting the Agenda for Future U=U-Related Research and Collaboration.”

July 23: IIGH Research Director Laura Ferguson will be a speaker at the official side event “Coming through the Fire: Transcending HIV-related Shame and Stigma.”

July 23: IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin will participate as a panelist in “Under Threat: Findings and Recommendations from the IAS–Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights.”

July 23: IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin will also participate as a panelist in “Decriminalising S*x Work: A Human Rights Imperative.”

July 24: IIGH Director Sofia Gruskin will present the Robert Carr Research Award and Memorial Lecture.

July 25: IIGH Research Director Laura Ferguson will participate in a poster presentation on “Understanding the Complexity of Legal Frameworks that Shape Access to HIV-related Information and Services.”

IIGH, in partnership with the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, launched a new dialogue series on The Future of Africa’s Health and co-created the first event, “Perspectives from Africa on the Future of International Population and Development Policy,” on June 24th. The event featured speakers who offered national and regional perspectives on the implications of international population and development policy for populations across the African continent.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), we heard from diverse experts from across the continent about what the next 30 years of the ICPD can mean for the continent, regional priorities for the future of reproductive and s*xual health and rights, and what emerged from the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development.

This convening marked the formal beginning of a partnership between the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy’s Africa-U.S. Forum. These monthly Africa-U.S. forums are presented also in conjunction with George Washington University, Howard University, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Public Diplomacy Council of America.

You can watch the recording of this outstanding event on the USC Africa - U.S. Initiative YouTube channel by following this link: https://youtu.be/_LlKECyMDY8?feature=shared

Additionally, view our collection of other memorable events by following this link: https://www.youtube.com//videos

Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at USC, The George Washington University, Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, The Public Diplomacy Council of America, Howard University

This week, USC and University of São Paulo Fellows who form part of the 2024 S*xual Rights for Social Change Academy met for the first time. Working together in English and Portuguese, they're diving into the intersections of climate and s*xual and reproductive health and rights, while leveling up their campaign and strategic collaboration strategies.

🔍 Curious to know more? Follow the Fellows on TikTok and YouTube *xualrightsacademy to stay updated on our Fellows' groundbreaking efforts to support the s*xual health and rights of young people and join the global dialogue on these critical issues.

You can watch TikToks from the cohort here: https://www.tiktok.com/*xualrightsacademy

Additionally, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiN-NoWqpzFFLf7zEl8vMyA

*xualRightsAcademy

In one week, IIGH will be at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany with a delegation of faculty, staff and Youth Ambassadors. Over the course of five days, we’ll be partnering with friends and colleagues through an array of dynamic sessions and activities, including a presentation of the 2024 Robert Carr Research Award in partnership with ICASO and others, as well as myriad discussions and poster sessions with IIGH Faculty Sofia Gruskin and Laura Ferguson.

Follow along via IIGH socials and the *xualrightsacademy as our students share live updates, including interviews with other young people in attendance at the Global Village.

Exciting new 1-year NIH global health research opportunity for students, residents, fellows, pre- and postdoctoral researchers.

Interested candidates may apply directly until October 1, 2024, or contact Prof. Jeffrey Klausner, [email protected] for more information

https://medicine.yale.edu/yigh/ghes/

IIGH concluded an amazing trip to Geneva with our Master’s in Public Health students from the 2024 PM 589: Global Health Governance & Diplomacy in Practice course!

Highlights of the trip included meetings with key organizations including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Sanitation and Water for All, the S*xual Rights Initiative, WHO, UNAIDS, and the International Commission of Jurists. Students supported World Health Assembly side events, reported on side events and WHA sessions for the NCD Alliance, and gained insights on United States health priorities from influential figures like Stephanie Psaki, the US Coordinator for Global Health Security, and Loyce Pace, the Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs. Students enjoyed many quintessential Geneva activities, including riding the ferris wheel, taking water taxis across Lake Geneva, and strolling through the old town.

The course not only provided invaluable learnings about global health governance and diplomacy but also built lasting memories among peers and newfound friends. The students educational experience was enriched by moments of camaraderie and discovery.

Follow our students as they explore all that Geneva has to offer here: https://www.instagram.com/uscglobalhealth/reels/

PM 589: Global Health Governance & Diplomacy in Practice was the perfect blend of hands-on learning and experience, community building, and personal and professional growth. Student learning was intertwined with fun, laughter, and exploration.

Students not only worked hard each day but experienced local Geneva culture, enjoyed group meals, and took many strolls together in picturesque parks. Students traveled to the Mont Blanc and the French Alps, Paris, or Lausanne on their day off. Students also took part in the Sunday Global Walk the Talk challenge for health, co-hosted by WHO and its partners, aimed at raising awareness and celebrating the importance of healthy lifestyles.

These unforgettable experiences helped build lasting friendships and create cherished memories. The camaraderie and strong group dynamic amongst the students inspired everyone to stay connected and explore potential careers in global health together.

Follow our students as they explore all that Geneva has to offer here: https://www.instagram.com/uscglobalhealth/reels/

The USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health offered Master’s in Public Health students a unique opportunity to explore global health policy, research, and advocacy through the PM 589: Global Health Governance and Diplomacy in Practice summer course in Geneva, Switzerland. This 4-unit course allowed students to witness and engage with global diplomacy and governance.

Students gained practical experience including high-level briefings with Geneva based global health organizations and World Health Assembly (WHA) side events. Students in the course met with policymakers, practitioners, civil society and government representatives, and networks engaged in shaping global health, immersing themselves in the international processes that shape global health policy and funding priorities.

IIGH organized honest, content-driven organizational briefings with, for example, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the S*xual Rights Initiative, the World Health Organization, and many other organizations at the forefront of advancing global health. Students supported side events run by partner organizations and reported on key global health issues, including for the NCD Alliance, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other partners.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our friends and colleagues at the many global health organizations in Geneva who graciously shared their time and expertise with our students.

It’s not too late to register to join us online or in Washington, DC for the launch of a new dialogue series on The Future of Africa’s Health. Our first event, on Monday, June 24, at 6:00 am PDT/9:00 am ET, will feature national and regional perspectives from sub-Saharan Africa on the future of international population and development policy.

On the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), we will hear from diverse experts from across the continent about what the next 30 years of the ICPD means for the continent, regional priorities for the future of reproductive and s*xual health and rights, and what emerged from the 57th Commission on Population and Development.

This convening marks the beginning of a partnership between the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy’s Africa-U.S. Forum and the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, which is co-creating this program. The monthly Africa-U.S. forums are presented with George Washington University, Howard University, the University of the Witwatersrand (in Johannesburg), and the Public Diplomacy Council of America.

RSVP here: tinyurl.com/AfricaUSforum

Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USC Annenberg Center - CCLP, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at USC, The George Washington University, Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, The Public Diplomacy Council of America, Howard University