Applied Global Public Health Initiative

APPLIED GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE

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Collaborating to develop innovative, systems-based competencies to apply needs-driven, equitable solutions for sustainable global public health development.

About the Lab

The Applied Global Public Health Initiative (AGPHI) is a student run, service-based initiative working to create better health circumstances in New York City and beyond through collaborating with outside organizations to find innovative solutions to public health problems. Composed of undergraduate and graduate students, this lab is overseen by Dr. Chris Dickey and focuses on project-based global public health research in partnership with industry sponsors and frequently hosts renowned guest speakers to discuss creative solutions to public health issues around the world. By working with small, up-and-coming NGOs to ministries of health to larger UN agencies, the lab seeks to develop and nurture applicable, thoughtful and practical skills for our future careers. In doing so, we work to expand our understanding of what it means to be public health practitioners. Overarching research initiatives focus on global public health challenges that require an applied approach to problem solving. During our all-lab weekly meetings, we exchange ideas, discuss current events through a global health lens, and share opportunities for growth on our various projects.

Pillars & Ongoing Projects:

I) Climate Change Projects:
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1. Climate- Related Food Security Project in Madagascar

The team is working on a systems thinking project surrounding food security and migration issues in southern Madagascar. The first phase of our project involved creating a systems map based on available research and grey literature. The project's second phase will be a qualitative study done in food-insecure regions of southern Madagascar to gain an on-the-ground perspective of the issues communities face. Participants will be asked to draw
systems maps depicting their personal experience with food security and migration. The data will be aggregated to create a composite systems map that can be used as a model to guide further research or interventions. They are currently working with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office of Madagascar to develop a study protocol to submit to the IRB as well.

Team Lead: Aline Mutabazi

2. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO):

The Latin American and Caribbean region has been grappling with a multitude of challenges, including natural disasters, migration, and forced displacement. These crises have disproportionately impacted adolescent youth, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health.

The Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Team, in collaboration with PAHO, is working towards the compilation of a technical brief to explore climate change and its disproportionate effect on vulnerable communities. Specifically, adolescents and indigenous groups in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This past semester, our Literature Review Team focused on gathering background information on the intersectionality of adolescent SRH and climate change, while our Social Listening Team tracked internet chatter across LAC. Our Interview Team worked to bolster the quantitative data with a qualitative side by performing interviews with stakeholders on the ground to assess current programming needs.

Team Lead: Nadia Seling-Wober

II) Decolonization Projects:
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3. NGO Decolonization Team/ Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB):

The NGO Decolonization team has been working towards publishing a literature review on downward accountability. The goal is to be published in the PLOS Global Health Journal by June 2024. Alongside that we have served capracare for the past academic year, where we curated program specific PowerPoints with recommendations to improve their services. Additionally, we have established a partnership with CMMB to develop a methodology to evaluate the adherence of CMMB volunteers to ethical guidelines for global health volunteering.
Team Leads: TBD in the fall

III) Medical Supply Chain/ Health Systems Strengthening Projects:

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4. AFYA

AFYA partners with hospitals and organizations, collecting, repairing, and redirecting medical supplies to over 80 countries including international organizations, hospitals, and clinics world-wide. The AFYA team focuses on systems mapping to understand and optimize the flow of medical resources among suppliers and receivers, conduct detailed inventory analysis and management to ensure supplies reach areas of greatest need, and work on building and forming sustainable partnerships with stakeholders worldwide. They also are working on an ethical waste mapping. This collaborative effort enhances healthcare infrastructure and outcomes in underserved regions.
Team Leads: TBD in the fall

IV) Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Projects:
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5. Queretaro MNH
The MNH Team collaborates with multiple stakeholders including the BLOOM foundation, Queretaro, and a university in Mexico to understand the needs of maternal, neonatal, and child health in the area. The project includes clinical trials for ultrasounds to diagnose congenital heart disease for mothers in low resource communities in Queretaro. Collecting data through surveys as well among many other initiatives, it is a growing project that addresses many public health needs.

Team Lead: Luis Gomez-Escobar

V) Non-Communicable Diseases Projects:
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6. Mycetoma Surveillance and Control in Ethiopia

Drawing from a pool of mycetoma literature, surveillance protocols, and control evidence base generated by the Mycetoma Research Centre and members of the WHO Global Mycetoma Working Group, this project aims to provide a succinct, actionable set of mycetoma surveillance and control recommendations nested within Ethiopia's existing community health and neglected tropical disease (NTD) priorities. Working closely with Arba Minch University and AGPHI alumni Ezra Jerome, who helped develop the mycetoma surveillance application.
Team Lead: Oyin Babayode

Our Team

Executive Board:

Directors:
Haya Srour
Natalia De La Viña

Project Managers:
Penelope Quinton
Nene Uwaomah

Financial Officer:
Alex Schwaderer

VIP Engagement Officer:
TBD in the fall

Social Engagement Officer
TBD in the fall

Get Involved

To get involved, please email gphinitiative@gmail.com to express your interest.

Resources

Website: agphinyu.com

Facebook: @agphinyu

Instagram: @nyuagphi