Social and Consumer Health: Governmental Agencies

Self-Check: Global Health

Many people interested in health and medicine have expressed a desire to assist less developed countries with the health issues that they face. There are many such agencies, but for this activity you will examine three of the leading international agencies. All have a goal of improving the health of the people they serve.

Scenario:
Assume that you have reached the point that you wish to contribute to health issues in the world. Compare the agencies listed below and answer the questions that follow about each.

• World Health Organization
• International Red Cross
• United States Agency for International Development

For each agency:

1. Name the agency.
2. Name the country or organization that sponsors it. Is is a public or private agency?
3. Explain the goal of the agency. This may be stated in a Mission Statement, a list of objectives, or in a section on the website entitled "about us."
4. List the things that the agency or its smaller parts do to achieve this goal.
5. Explain how the agency is financed and/or describe what employment opportunities are available with this agency.
6. Describe the things that this agency has accomplished to improve the health of people in the world.
7. Assess the effectiveness of the agency in achieving its goals by summarizing your own conclusions about the impact that this agency has had on world health.

Once you have completed all of the questions above, check your answers in the chart below by clicking on the different characteristics of each agency on the left.

WHO The World Health Organization
Goal Mission Statement	To attain the highest possible level of health for people throughout the world.
How is agency financed?	United Nations funds as well as private donations and monies from various foundations.
Activities	AIDS education; Vaccinations for most childhood and adult diseases; Education on tobacco.
Accomplishments	Elimination of smallpox and the near elimination of polio.
ICRC The International Committee of the Red Cross
Goal Mission Statement	To provide humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and violence.
How is agency financed?	Private donations, companies, clubs, and associations.
Activities	Acts as a buffer between warring countries.
Accomplishments	Has helped to eliminate the suffering and to mitigate with POWs involved in armed conflict.
United States Agency for International Development
Goal Mission Statement	To extend a helping hand to those people overseas who are struggling to make a better life or to those recovering from a disaster or to those striving to live in a free and democratic land.
How is agency financed?	Funded by the United States Government.
Activities	Improve the standard of living in selected countries throughout the world.
Accomplishments	Assisted in Kosovo, Rwanda, Central America, Jamaica, and Angola.

Next

© 2009 KC Distance Learning. All rights reserved.