Recent years have highlighted the ubiquity of global health across diverse public interests. There is now indisputable evidence that health intersects all aspects of life—economic, social, and political. Public and private investments to address global health challenges are both essential and increasing. However, many barriers to progress stem not from a lack of resources, but from politics, policy, and power dynamics that dominate the global health landscape. Understanding these forces is critical to confronting some of the world’s greatest health challenges—whether climate change, vaccine policy, or poverty. Amid funding cuts, conflict, disinformation, and growing inequality, what responses can meet rising health challenges? What lessons and opportunities emerge—and how can research, innovation, and public service be harnessed to drive meaningful impact?
Vanessa Bradford Kerry, MD, MSc, is a critical care-trained physician, a nonprofit leader, and an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she directs the Program in Global Health and Climate Policy in the Department of Environmental Health. She is the co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health (Seed), a nonprofit focused on strengthening health systems that has helped train over 47,000 doctors, nurses, and midwives in Africa. Dr. Kerry also serves as the Director of the Program in Global Public Policy and Social Change at Massachusetts General Hospital and as the World Health Organization’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health.
This seminar will be held in E53-482 (Millikan Room). Lunch will be available. Please RSVP here.
Contact Kate Danahy at kdanahy@mit.edu with any questions.
This event is part of the CIS Global Research & Policy Seminar Series. Join our mailing list here to learn about upcoming seminars in the series.
