Spring 2022
THIS ISSUE

Public Health in Practice: Humanitarian Health Initiative

article summary

The Humanitarian Health Initiative, led by Shelia Leatherman, is a new effort to improve the health of people in countries where development outcomes are affected by fragility, conflict and violence

Gillings experts and students are engaging in practice that makes a difference locally, nationally and globally.

The Humanitarian Health Initiative (HHI), led by Sheila Leatherman, is a new effort to increase the School’s work to improve the health of people in countries where development outcomes are affected by fragility, conflict and violence. The HHI leverages the collective efforts of faculty and students through research, awareness building and education, capacity building and technical support to countries and nongovernmental organizations, engagement and service projects, and advocacy and influencing of policy and practice.

Sheila Leatherman, CBE, Gillings Global Advisor

The initiative has funded four interns in the 2020–21 academic year and six in 2021–22 through generous donor support. These internships pair current students with faculty and experts in the School’s Research, Innovation and Global Solutions unit, giving students firsthand experience applying their public health training where it can be of maximum impact.

“We aspire to have impact on improving the health and well-being of the lives of those suffering from humanitarian crises

Sheila Leatherman, CBE, Gillings Global Advisor

Through this initiative, students have supported humanitarian organizations, increased understanding of maternal health issues and sought to improve access to effective health care in fragile settings.

“We aspire to have impact on improving the health and well-being of the lives of those suffering from humanitarian crises,” Leatherman says. “Future efforts will be built on current activities and assets but further developed to increase impact.”

To make a gift in support of the Humanitarian Health Initiative, please visit https://go.unc.edu/HumanitarianHealthInitiative

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