During my first quarter as a Global Health Corps fellow, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has taken the conversation by storm all over the world. Because of this discussion, I believe it is the first time that my Facebook feed has become as intrigued by the topic of global health as I am. From a health perspective it has been both interesting and at times disturbing to see the conversation unfold. Many friends who work and live in the affected and neighboring countries are regularly posting on the ground updates and comments on the outbreak.
But, as common are posts by those that have no experience in the region or with disease outbreaks. These posts coming from my friends that are being newly exposed to global health issues are largely afraid of what the outbreak means and what it’s continued potential spread could mean for themselves and the health system in the US. Certainly, I find the fear understandable – often the unknown risks are the most terrifying, particularly when movies and TV have made millions on the idea of hemorrhagic fevers and wild Africa.
Indeed, the disease and its implications are scary. But not for the fear of what could happen if Ebola makes it to the United States or other nations with relatively strong health systems. Rather, the danger is in how we are reacting. The question shouldn’t be how do we keep Ebola out of the US, but how do we keep health systems from failing populations and improve the health of all people.
Because of this, the outbreak speaks to why I wanted so much to be a part of the GHC community. In the end, Ebola isn’t the only thing happening in the three countries that have been worst hit by the outbreak (and certainly not the rest of the massive and diverse continent). Everyday, art is being created; massive cities are being developed; and brilliant young minds being nurtured. But also, other diseases are slowly affecting the population: from drug resistant tuberculosis to emerging and ever complicated malnutrition. This can be said for the US as well.
In that sense, I find myself incredibly lucky to be a part of the discussion about Ebola and working on similar issues in Burundi with GHC. But even more so, I find myself to be privileged to get to spend this year getting to know and hear from not only this year’s class of fellows, but the alum as well. I am very excited to see as this group begins to change the conversation on public health from the fear of the Ebola outbreak to the constructive ways we can build health systems all over the world such that they can support all people.