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- AMSA Global Health Newsletter š April 2024
AMSA Global Health Newsletter š April 2024
Welcome to the April edition of the AMSA Global Health monthly newsletter!
We're very excited to share the April edition of the recently-revived AMSA Global Health newsletter, designed specifically for you. As medical students, we have the unique potential to shape a more equitable and healthy world. This newsletter will equip you with the latest updates, resources, events and opportunities in global health. Whether you're passionate about a specific cause or just starting to explore this field, we'll help you translate your ambition into action.
As we are still growing our newsletter after its resurrection, please send this on to anyone you think may be interested, and to your medical student cohort at large. AMSA Global Health wants YOU to be part of our network! Subscribe to stay up to date with us and access exclusive global health content, tailored to the Australian medical student.
You can also follow us on social media for more (info, events, memes, resources, et al) - weāre @AMSA Global Health everywhere, or you can click here for direct links.
Global Health adventures š
Hereās what weāve been up to in April:
AMSA Global Health Forum x National Council 1 x Careers Conference
AMSA Global Health Forum ran at UNSW in Sydney from the 19th to the 21st of April and was a HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone who attended or supported us!
 Professor Talley |  A (very) small portion of the GH team! |
A key event for the year, AMSA Global Health Forum 1, was an in-person event hosted alongside National Council 1 and Careers Conference in Sydney from 19th to 21st April. The opening keynote speaker for all three events was Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley, who delivered an extremely engaging and insightful presentation on what we as medical students can do to help fight climate change. (Not only was Professor Talley an incredibly inspiring speaker, but did you know he also has a budding acting career in AMSA Global Health reels...?)
The theme for Forum this year was āAct Local, Think Globalā, with workshops and plenaries ranging from advocacy in governance, to local opportunities available to Sydney students presented by local students interested in global health, as well as how to seek ethical opportunities internationally! Sessions like āRedesign a Hospitalā and the āRural Heartstopperā competition provided creative and innovative outlets for our attendees on how they could come up with real world solutions to global health issues. Our āHard Conversationsā panel also invited an inclusive discussion and exploration on how we can respectfully advocate for ourselves, as well as for others.
Of course, the academics programme would not be complete without the social events! An informal cocktail night on 19th (organised by Council team) allowed attendees and organisers to mingle and interact before cracking into the long interesting day of academics on Saturday! Furthermore, Saturday night saw the continuation of the long-standing Council Tradition of āDinner Dumplingsā. An informal networking luncheon was held on the Sunday, allowing attendees to interact with members from DEA, amongst other guests.
Overall, Global Health Forum 1 was an insightful, engaging, and most importantly FUN weekend, where most of AMSA Global Health met each other in-person for the first time! This event could not have been put together without the AMSA Global Health Executive and Management Teams or the Sydney Global Health Groups, to whom we are very grateful. Events like these remind AMSA Global Health volunteers about the reasons theyāre volunteering and why their work matters!
We hope you had a blast too, and we look forward to seeing you at the next Forum!
š£ MEDIA RELEASE - THE PLANETARY HEALTH REPORT CARD š£
Australian medical schools have participated for the first time in the latest Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC), an influential global publication encompassing 151 health professional schools across 18 countries. We congratulate the student teams from the University of Queensland, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Wollongong, the University of Tasmania, and Curtin University for the publication of their inaugural report cards! š
The student-led report card assesses and reports on medical schoolsā curriculum content, research, support for student initiatives, community engagement, and campus sustainability. It also opens collaborative opportunities for improvement.
Australiaās first contribution to the PHRC was led by Emily Coady, AMSA Global Health Chair (š) and incoming Co-Director of the PHRC, and Dr Grant Silbert, a junior doctor at St Vincentās Hospital in Melbourne and active member of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA).
š§” Read AMSAās full media release here: https://amsa.org.au/media-release/medical-students-call-for-increased-education-about-sustainable-healthcare-and-climate-health-risks/
š Read the DEA x AMSA joint statement here: https://www.dea.org.au/joint_statement_dea_amsa_doctors_medical_students_applaud_australias_first_time_inclusion_in_international_planetary_health_report_card
AMSA Global Health at the World Health Summit in Melbourne š
 |  |
Attending the World Health Summit was a transformative experience, immersing me in a convergence of minds dedicated to advancing global health. Engaging in riveting discussions, workshops, and presentations, I found myself amidst a symphony of expertise, where ideas flowed freely and innovation sparked at every corner. Connecting with professionals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines underscored the universality of our mission - to foster a healthier, more equitable world for all. I met with professionals and local and abroad, including the CEO of VicHealth Dr Sandro Demaio, former prime minister of New Zealand Helen Clark, Ambassador for Global Health at DFAT Dr Lucas de Toca, and many inspiring others. As I absorbed insights from luminaries in the field and contributed my own perspectives, I left the summit inspired, empowered, and deeply committed to playing my part in shaping the future of global health.
We started a TikTok (yes, finally)
Follow us here or find us ā”ļø @amsa.global.health
Whatās on š£
RECRUITMENT: Weāve just completed all of our subcommittee callouts for the year š
Psstā¦ if you really wanted to be part of AMSA Global Health, but you missed the memo or didnāt apply in timeā¦ weāll give you a special pass, just this once, since you are a time-honoured subscriber to our newsletter. Apply here by 11:59pm AEST on Friday 3rd May and we might consider your application if we have any unfilled positions š¤«
Keep an eye on our social media for any mid-year positions releasing around June!
ADVOCACY ALERT: AMSA Sexual and Reproductive Health š
AMSA Sexual and Reproductive Health is preparing a submission for the Victorian Senate Inquiry into Womenās Pain. This inquiry stems from a 2023 survey conducted by the Victorian State Government, revealing significant differences in pain experiences between women and men. Its aim is to formulate recommendations that will enhance care models and service delivery for Victorian girls and women grappling with pain in the future. As part of our submission, we are keen to delve into medical studentsā experiences of teaching and understanding regarding the gender pain gap and their confidence pertaining to the topic. Please keep an eye out in the coming weeks for this survey - we are very keen to hear from you!
The survey will be shared on all our social media platforms, as well as via our linktree and in upcoming newsletters.
SAVE THE DATE: AMSAās annual Global Health Conference āInceptionā is only a few months away!
Global Health Conference ā AMSAās biggest global health event of the year ā is rapidly approaching and YOU need to be ready.
Imagine inspiring academic sessions, hands-on breakout activities and superb social nights, which you learn from and enjoy with the most awesome group of people from all around AMSA and all around Australia.
Itās your Global Health Group scaled up to 4 jam-packed days days and 400 delegates!
Our theme this year is Inception which means the establishment or starting point. As explored in Christopher Nolanās famous film, itās all about navigating layers of complexity in systems that are difficult but not impossible to change.
Ticket sales open on May 30th. Register your interest at ghc.amsa.org.au and join us September 20-23 for Inception.
OPPORTUNITY: AMSA Healthy Communities š”
We're looking for student speakers to present at the Beyond the Clinic series, AMSA's Global Health Journal Club.
You can present any public health related research - this can be research you're involved with, or just a cool topic you've come across!
Signing up as a presenter gives you the opportunity to gain valuable experience in presenting and discussing research - in front of your peers and an academic expert! We also provide a certificate for your CV.
Check out the EOI form for more info: https://forms.gle/X4pYoCQcyJ8zJfi98
A cheeky reminder that only AMSA members can attend AMSA events (such as GHC)! If you havenāt officially joined yet, click here to sign up š§”
External opportunities šŖ
Passionate about in climate and health? Looking to expand your interests beyond AMSA Code Green?
Join Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA)! Click here for student membership (only $5 for the duration of your degree)
Get involved in the DEA āFossil fuels are a health hazardā campaign, to be discussed at the upcoming Monthly Members Meeting on Tuesday the 7th of April @ 7pm AEST ā”ļø Join Here
Missed the iDEA Conference earlier this year? Never fear! You can access the recordings here.
Get involved in Climate Writers with Eezu Tan (Gadigal / Sydney)
Next Climate Writers session: 26 May
Climate Writers instagram (follow for updates!)
Based in Gadigal / Sydney? Get involved in The Water Well Project!
Got something youād like us to share or promote in our newsletter? Reach out to us via [email protected] š©
Book of the month š
Our Education Officer, Julia, runs monthly book club exploring key takeaways from relevant global health books. The best part? You donāt even have to read the books to participate (though youāre most welcome to), because Julia will read them for you and then give you the lowdown. Effortless learning? Insightful and engaging discussions? We love to see it.
This month, sheās reading The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer, which explores the case for why and how we can take action to provide immense benefit to others, at minimal cost to ourselves. Singer (an Australian philosopher, and someone youāve definitely come across in medical school whether you know it or not!) uses ethical arguments, illuminating examples, and case studies of charitable giving to show that our current response to world poverty is not only insufficient, but morally indefensible - and there are better solutions.
If youāre interested in learning more about this topic, head to our instagram ā”ļø not only will Julia have her May book club reel up for you, but you can join our book club group chat on Instagram to get in on the discussion!
What in the world? š
Want to learn more about global health? Check out Harvard Universityās free online global health courses! More info here.
A study published by The Lancet found that over the past 50 years global immunisation efforts have saved approximately 154 million lives. See the news release from WHO here.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) released a short report from the World Medical Association (WMA). Many doctors will have little visibility of the AMAās work with the WMA, though the AMA has been an elective and active member of the Council of the WMA for some time! This places the AMA at the heart of global advocacy for health and for doctors. Read the April AMA Rounds report here, and check out the latest issue of the World Medical Journal here.
Interested in innovation in the global health space? Check out WIPOās recent article, Global Health and the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Innovation in Addressing Health-Related SDGs. Read more here.
On 16th April, the White House launched the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy (GHSS) to protect the health, lives, and economic well-being of the American people and people throughout the world. Read about the strategy here.
Some old school AMSA Global Health: A few years ago, in collaboration with AMSA MedEd, we developed AMSA Academy online modules on various global health issues. These modules involve a variety of topics such as climate change, tropical medicine, and refugee and asylum seekers. Our aim is to encourage medical students to critically think about and engage with the complexities of health on a global scale. Check them out here: AMSA Global Health online modules at AMSA Academy
Thatās a wrap for April! Thank you for reading our newsletter - we hope itās been helpful!
Donāt forget to follow us on social media - as well as the newsletter, this is one of the best ways to stay up to date with us and with other global health happenings both in Australia and around the world.
Got any questions, comments, submissions or ideas for the newsletter? Weāre always happy to hear from you - please email [email protected] or [email protected] any time. We can also be reached via our social media (@AMSAGlobalHealth everywhere).
Want more info about AMSA Global Health? Weāve got you: click here š
Best wishes until next month!
The AMSA Global Health team š