Historical Perspectives on Health Inequality in Africa: Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and the USC Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation invite you to a virtual lecture featuring Professor Joachim Osur, vice chancellor at Amref International University and former technical director at Amref Health Africa.

Health inequality is a widely recognized and growing problem around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Amref Health Africa, the continent's largest African nongovernmental health organization, has worked on community health since 1957. Their affiliated university — Amref International University — provides public health education and training, drawing on lessons learned from the NGO's work.

Amref Health Africa is the primary partner for the USC Africa Hub that was launched by USC IIGH in 2020. Engaging students and faculty, the Hub fuels collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships with community-based health organizations to better understand and promote effective health interventions across Africa. Collaborative projects with these organizations address issues such as COVID-19, self-care initiatives for sexual and reproductive health, the role of community health workers, and the importance of the broader legal and policy environment. Professor Osur will explore historical perspectives of health inequality and what it will take for health equality to be achievable in the African context.

Featuring:

Professor Joachim Osur is vice chancellor at Amref International University. He is a health development professional and academician with wide experience in health programming in Africa. He has supported many African governments in developing health policies and service delivery models that bridge the gap in access between the poor and rich. He is also a researcher with interests in health systems, sexual medicine and reproductive health, and is well published in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Professor Osur holds a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery; a master's in public health; and a PhD in reproductive health. He is also a Fellow of the European Committee on Sexual Medicine.

Moderated by:

Professor Laura Ferguson is research director at the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and director of the Program on Global Health & Human Rights. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing health system and societal factors affecting health and the uptake of health services, as well as developing the evidence base of how attention to human rights can improve health outcomes. Professor Ferguson, who leads the work on the USC Africa Hub, collaborates with a range of United Nations agencies, as well as foundations, universities and NGOs in various countries. She has spent extended periods of time living and working in low-income countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.