IIH PHILOSOPHY: The world has become a global village. What happens in one area of the globe affects other areas. Health issues are no exception. What happens in one nation or on one continent has repercussions for health and health care of other nations and continents. A fast spreading pandemic, such as AIDS, is but one example of how health issues become worldwide concerns. Issues targeted by national governments and international agencies, such as maternal and child health care and high infant mortality, have helped define problem areas to which we all seek solutions. Half of the earth's population faces the specters of malnutrition, parasitic diseases, periodic famines, viral diseases and other health problems. Other parts of the world have different kinds of health problems, such as the escalating costs of health care, chronic degenerative diseases, and the lack, in spite of plentiful resources, of comprehensive health services for all. Whatever the nature of the health problems in a nation or region, the effects are worldwide and the solutions can be sought only through international cooperation.

IIH GOALS: To enhance MSU's international standing in the health sciences in parallel with MSU's excellent reputation in other international programs; to broaden MSU's expertise in health and disease, to promote our level of scholarship in health, and thus, to increase MSU's proficiency and stature in the health sciences through the process of internationalization; and, to enable MSU faculty and students to participate fully in international opportunities in the health fields; and through outreach involve the community from the state to the local level in the sharing of knowledge and collaborations concerned with global health issues.

IN SUPPORT OF THESE GOALS, THE IIH IS INVOLVED IN: Promoting the growth of international health programs at MSU and building the support base for such programs on campus as well as nationally and internationally; creating and supporting linkages between MSU and individuals and institutions abroad and in the U.S. that address needs and issues in international health; convening groups of faculty and students to plan and execute programs and projects in international health; seeking support from public and private sources to initiate and sustain programs in international health; networking with state, federal and international agencies to secure information about inter-national health opportunities for faculty and students.

Institute of International Health
IIH Philosophy.html
Last Updated January 30, 1997