Western Regional International Health Conference

Posted by on December 16, 2005

4th Annual Western Regional International Health Conference:
Health, Economics, and Human Rights ? The Value of Human Life

February 17-19, 2006
Portland, Oregon

Today, some parts of the world enjoy an unprecedented abundance of food, medicines, and material comforts. Life expectancy has soared in developed nations, and previously rampant infectious diseases have become rare in much of the world.

We believe that all people deserve to share this standard of health. The constitution of the World Health Organization states, ?the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being.? However, enormous disparities in health exist throughout the world; rates of mortality and disease remain alarmingly high in many populations both domestically and worldwide.

Local and global economic policies play a primary role in the distribution of the world?s available resources to fight disease and improve health. The intersection of economics and health create a critical juncture in the fight for global health equality-a place where economic incentive and moral imperative meet. If we are to satisfy the human right to health on a global scale, clinicians, scientists, activists and citizens must create multidisciplinary alliances to address economic and biologic problems.

To actively promote examination of these issues, and to foster the development of local partnership and cooperation that can lead to action, the Global Health Alliance, a student group based at Oregon Health & Science University, will host the 4th Annual Western Regional International Health Conference, entitled “Health, Human Rights and Economics: the Value of Human Life.? We invite you to join us February 17-19, 2006. Through the education of students and professionals, and by building regional connections, we will strengthen and sustain our work in the world.

http://www.ohsu.edu/som/gha/conference.htm