Why US Health Care Should Think Globally

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Equity
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Significant health disparities and access issues persist within the United States.
• Traditional justifications for global health engagement include moral obligation, threat mitigation, and economic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue for US healthcare systems to engage with low-resource global settings.
• To propose learning from these settings to address domestic health inequities.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual argument and synthesis of existing literature on global health engagement and domestic health disparities.

Main Results:

• Low-resource settings often provide high-quality, cost-effective, and inclusive care.
• Learning from these systems can offer innovative solutions for US healthcare challenges.

Conclusions:

• US clinicians, researchers, and organizational leaders should engage with global low-resource settings.
• Collaborative local and global health efforts can mutually benefit populations and improve domestic health equity.