Each year the Center for Global Health holds a Global Health Photo Contest. Submissions come from Perelman School of Medicine students (MS, MPH, PhD) and trainees (residents, fellows), from their domestic or global health experiences.
First place went to Sila Bal, a MD/MPH student. The photo, taken in Santa Cruz, Equador, shows a little girl being fitted for glasses as her mother and aunt wait nearby. She is too young to read letters so she points to the appropriate shapes instead. Vision impairment significantly impacts quality of life. Children are especially vulnerable as poor vision can impair development of the visual axis and prevent them from excelling in school.
Second place went to medical student Sourik Beltrán. The photo from Villa El Salvador depicts two staff members on the rooftop of a clinic (Centro Medico Parroquial San Martin de Porres). On the left, Ana, one of the clinic's nurses, is crushing expired medicines before they can be thrown away, a critical clinic policy in an area where prescription drug abuse is a significant challenge. On the right, Rafael, the clinic security guard, takes a moment to tease Ana who can't help but break a smile mid-task. The photo captures a moment of joviality in the lives of two dedicated health advocates working in some of the city's most difficult living conditions.
Third place was awarded to Akudo Ejelonu, MPH/MES student. Having access to safe clean water and sanitation system is an imprint on household demands and public spaces. “Through my work last summer [in Tzununá, Sololá, Guatemala], I learned that women’s full participation in water and sanitation projects is strongly correlated with effectiveness and sustainability of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects.” Empowering women helps communities achieve their health and financial benefits.
Go to http://www.med.upenn.edu/globalhealth to see more.