Reconnecting and Representing at APHA

This past week I had the pleasure of representing AMDV at the American Public Health Association conference in Denver, Colorado. It was an amazing whirlwind tour with just five full days in the US, but I tried to make the most of every minute and came away with great new ideas, contacts, and renewed motivation for the work that I am doing here in Honduras. This was my third time attending the APHA conference, and I am continually amazed by the number of people that come from all of the world to share the work they are doing. An estimated 10,000 people attended this year´s conference whose theme was Social Justice. In addition to connecting with and learning from this year´s attendees, I was also able to share some of the work that I am currently doing with an amazing organization called the Hesperian Foundation. (check them out: http://www.hesperian.org/ ) Based out of California, this inspiring nonprofit developed and published what has become the ¨Health Bible¨ of Peace Corps volunteers, ¨Where There is No Doctor,¨ along with various other materials on improving community and individual health in a way that is understandable at a 4th grade reading level. I am currently assisting the organization move their materials to a digital platform that will allow users to create tailored health materials, specific to the distinct needs of their communities. It has been a great opportunity that has allowed me to both learn and teach skills in computer literacy, website navigation, and health material construction (ie. how do you write a ¨catchy¨ health message that people will listen to???) I was able to present on this process and am excited to continue to work with the Hesperian Foundation to realize its mission of co-creating accessible and practical health materials to support health as a human right.

(Personally, I think everyone needs ¨Where There is No Doctor,¨ especially as many of us US citizens are without insurance, and therefore, without doctor. I am amazed that this is not already standardized text in international development or health classes. Check them out!!)