HHS Secretary Gives 2008 NHS McAuley Lecture

October 20, 2008

 

Even though Senators Barack Obama and John McCain weren't in the audience, Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt had a few pointers to offer the next president of the United States when he spoke at Georgetown last week. Leavitt provided the most recent keynote address on October 17 for the School of Nursing and Health Studies’ annual McAuley Lecture Series, speaking on what he believes should be the global healthcare goals for the next president.

Leavitt said many health projects by nongovernmental organizations receive government aid, but the organizations, not the public, get all of the credit for work done. As a result, not enough recognition is given to how many projects the United States funds, the secretary said.

“When patients are handed their antiretroviral medication, in my opinion, it ought to come in a bag that says ‘from the American people,’” Leavitt said. “When a community health worker we train goes house to house in countries all over the world, he could carry a bag that says ‘from the American people.’”

By better branding publicly funded global health efforts as a “gift from Americans,” Leavitt believes, the United States will forward its health diplomacy worldwide.

“Critical health challenges resonate around the globe,” said NHS Dean Bette Jacobs, pointing to HIV/AIDS, diabetes and health care workforce needs. “At our school and this university, we have a stake in helping to address these critical challenges.”

For more information about Leavitt’s address, click here.

Pictured: Secretary Leavitt answers questions from the audience after his address at the Intercultural Center Auditorium last week.

Submit your news at any time to the GUMC Office of Communications at gumccomm@georgetown.edu.



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