The theme of this year’s North Carolina Global Health Alliance Conference was “Bridging North Carolina with the World.” (Photo courtesy of North Carolina Global Health Alliance)
The 11th Annual North Carolina Global Health Alliance Conference encouraged domestic and global leaders, researchers, and students to explore how global health findings can be adapted to and from local North Carolina settings.
It was hosted by the North Carolina Global Health Alliance (NCGHA) and sponsored, in part, by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. NCGHA aims to convene scientists, amplify findings, and advocate for global health in North Carolina and abroad. Around 250 people attended this event, held in Raleigh, North Carolina, October 22, 2024.
The conference theme was “Bridging North Carolina with the World,” and, according to conference attendee Lisa Marie Adiaba, M.P.H., discussion focused on best practices for exchanging knowledge with domestic health experts in North Carolina and applying that knowledge to work in global health. Adiaba also emphasized the recurring theme of funding.
NCGHA Executive Director Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, M.P.H., provided opening remarks at the conference. (Photo courtesy of Cammel’s Photography and Brianna Clarke-Schwelm)
“Public health is being asked to do more with less in this post-COVID world,” Adiaba stated. “There was a common agreement that, across the board, public health organizations need adequate funding in order to effectively serve their communities.”
Experts, researchers, and students had the opportunity to share their expertise through keynote addresses, interactive discussions, and several poster presentations. Additionally, breakout sessions were designed to cover many topics for all kinds of learners.
According to NCGHA Executive Director Brianna Clarke-Schwelm, M.P.H., the energy of the conference was palpable, and the engagement was enthusiastic, thoughtful, and open.
“Sessions looked at specific topics, including healthcare during crisis and resettlement in North Carolina, the future of global health leadership, misinformation and trust, and health priorities that are high-need both globally and in the state,” Clarke-Schwelm said.
Clarke-Schwelm also said that, despite the challenges of siloes and differences in regulations and funding opportunities, there are also countless opportunities for bridging the divide between global health and domestic public health.
“Communities everywhere can benefit from more cross-collaboration and learning between the people who seek to improve health and well-being everywhere,” she noted.
