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Global Health and Volunteering Beyond Borders pp 1–18Cite as

An Overview of Global Health for the Healthcare Professional

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Abstract

As the world continues to become more connected by technology, commerce, and international travel, it is critical for all healthcare professionals to understand the growing role of global health and to learn from this dynamic field. The definition of “global health” continues to evolve as new challenges, regulations, and innovations are constantly emerging which may add new dimensions (and solutions) to already complex health and social issues around the world. Healthcare professionals with this interest may look for opportunities to study these issues formally in master’s degree or certificates in global health, to see how their research could impact global populations, and to work abroad on the ground. This chapter is designed to give a general overview of the key components of global health and the important aspects of this field to consider when looking at a practice and career in global health.

Global health is an attitude. It is a way of looking at the world. It is about the universal nature of our human predicament. It is a statement about our commitment to health as a fundamental quality of liberty and equity. – Richard Horton, The Lancet

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Vivian T. Yin is a consultant for Genentech Inc. and Merz Pharmaceuticals.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmic Oncology, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    Vivian T. Yin

  2. BC Center for Epidemiologic and International Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Vivian T. Yin

  3. Board of Directors, Seva Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Vivian T. Yin

  4. Orbis International, New York, NY, USA

    David Hunter Cherwek

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  1. Vivian T. Yin
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL, USA

    Mildred M.G. Olivier

  2. And So It Begins, LLC, Chicago, IL, USA

    Clarisse C. Croteau-Chonka

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Yin, V.T., Cherwek, D.H. (2019). An Overview of Global Health for the Healthcare Professional. In: Olivier, M., Croteau-Chonka, C. (eds) Global Health and Volunteering Beyond Borders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98660-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98660-9_1

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