As borders between countries and continents become less distinct and international travel becomes more accessible, it is important that medical professionals be competent to work in this new and changing environment. Students at UTMB have long demonstrated a strong interest in global health and recognize the need to treat more diverse populations. This includes many different ethnic groups and immigrants from around the world, as well as travelers returning from these areas. Knowledge of tropical diseases and public health issues are essential to global health.
More importantly, all those who profess an interest in reducing barriers to health care and disparities in health outcomes between population groups must work together to understand the many social, cultural, environmental, occupational, economic and other determinants of health that go beyond our traditional health care model.
The Department of Family Medicine embraces this challenge and gives you The PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for Training in International Health.
What is the PAHO/WHO Center for Training in International Health
The Center for International Health was developed at UTMB in 1987, and received its first designation as a WHO Collaborating Center that same year. The center’s name was changed to the Center for Training in International Health in 2003, and after extensive review, it was re-designated in September 2007 for an additional four year term. The Terms of Reference for the Center’s 2007-2011 designation period can be found at: http://www.who.int/whocc/List.aspx?cc_city=Galveston&
WHO Collaborating Centers are institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, which are designated by the Director-General of the World Health Organization to carry out activities in support of the Organization's programs. Each center has specific Terms of Reference, and undergoes an extensive review process every four years in order to continue. Currently there are over 900 WHO collaborating centers in 99 Member States working with WHO on areas such as nursing, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies.
The Center for Training in International Health is one of three WHO collaborating Centers at UTMB, and is the only WHO center worldwide specifically designated for training in international health. Other WHO Centers at UTMB include the Center for Tropical Diseases ( http://www.utmb.edu/CBEID ), and the Center for Aging and Health http://www.utmb.edu/scoa .