The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World: Disruptive Women in Health Care is Going Global with a New Series and e-Book on Global Health
December 2nd, 2009
The following post by Robin Strongin, Creator of Disruptive Women in Health Care, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series.
“As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity or to reduce child and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation. That is why discrimination against women of all ages deprives the world’s children—all of them, not just the half who are girls—of the chance to reach their potential.”
…Kofi A. Annan
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations
While health reform in the US tops the domestic policy agenda, at least for now, the need to improve health care in the developing world must be a high priority on the global policy agenda as well. And indeed, for many Disruptive Women, it is.
This evening (December 2, 2009) Disruptive Women in Health Care will host a reception and program at the Women in the Arts Museum to launch our new series on The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World. I will have the privilege of speaking at the program along with World Bank economist Dr. Maureen Lewis and Creative Women founder Ellen Dorsch.
It is no coincidence that we chose this Museum. It’s where women, economics, the arts and health care intersect. If we are ever to improve and sustain the health of women worldwide, women must be economically empowered. For many women around the world, the arts have provided just such a path.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus’ pioneering work has taught us that microcredit, “the innovative banking program that provides poor people—mainly women—with small loans they use to launch businesses and lift their families out of poverty[i]” along with social business, “a business that is cause driven rather than profit driven with the potential to act as change agent for the world”[ii] can help create a World Without Poverty.
Many Disruptive Women are economists, artists, social business CEOs, innovators and health care experts and all Disruptive Women want to see improved health care access and delivery—in the US as well as in developing countries.
Economic empowerment alone is not enough. Education is critical. And there are enormous infrastructure, workforce, and communication challenges to overcome. At the same time, progress is being made, solutions exist and goals are being met. This series will highlight both the progress and the challenges. As always, we encourage your comments, feedback and ideas.
[i] Muhammad Yunus, “Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism,” 2007. Back Cover.
[ii] Muhammad Yunus, “Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism,” 2007. Page 22.
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