By Duke University 

The majority of the world’s population lives in low-income countries with extremely limited access to mental health care. This gap is largest in African nations, which have the world’s lowest ratio of mental health professionals: just 1.4 per 100,000 people.

For more than a decade, researchers have been exploring ways to close that gap for nearly 50 million orphans in Africa who are grieving the loss of one or both parents. HIV/AIDS and respiratory infections are the leading cause of death.

By UW SPH

After eight years at the National Institute of Mental Health, Pamela Collins joined the UW in January to lead its global mental health program, a joint effort of the Departments of Global Health and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

The faculty senate is currently voting on an amendment to the UW Faculty Code mandating the consideration of faculty contributions to promote diversity and equal opportunity as part of the promotion and tenure process. This means that along with the typical considerations of research, teaching and service, activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion will also be considered as meritorious activities worthy of assessment, but will not be required components.

May 21 is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a day for people around the globe to celebrate diversity in their own contexts, whether locally or globally. To mark the day, UW Department of Global Health (DGH) highlights the views and experiences of UW students who are recipients of the Endowed Fellowship for Global Health Excellence, Equity and Impact and some ways that we can all get involved in promoting diversity at UW.