Nongovernmental Organizations in Global Health Essay

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The Institute of Medicine (1997, p. v) characterized the connection the United States has to global health in these words:

America has a vital and direct stake in the health of people around the globe, and that this interest derives from both America’s long and enduring tradition of humanitarian concern and compelling reasons of enlightened self-interest. Our considered involvement can serve to protect our citizens, enhance our economy, and advance U.S. interests abroad.

The health care community is recognizing that addressing health and disease issues must take place within a larger context—a global context. The health issues of developed and undeveloped countries are converging. The World Health Organization (2018) noted that the “development of a society, rich or poor, can be judged by the quality of its population’s health, how fairly health is distributed across the social spectrum, and the degree of protection provided from disadvantage as a result of ill-health” (“The Commission Calls,” para. 3).

REFERENCES

Institute of Medicine. (1997). America’s vital interest in global health: Protecting our people, enhancing our economy, and advancing our international interests. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=5717

World Health Organization. (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Retrieved from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241…

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Multiple government-funded agencies work worldwide to have a positive effect on health disparities across the globe. It is important for doctoral-prepared nurses to be aware of nongovernment funding organizations (NGOs) that are also affecting global health care issues.

NGOs originated with the formation of the United Nations in 1945. They are generally defined as nonprofit entities independent of governmental influence, although they may receive government funding. The term NGO is not typically applied to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations. Generally, the label is given to organizations operating on an international level, although some countries classify their own civil society groups as NGOs(GrantSpace, n.d.).

In this assessment, you are tasked with interviewing an individual from an NGO of interest that works in some way within the realm of public or global health. If you do not have such an organization that you are interested in, then it is acceptable to interview someone from your own organization who has a focus on public health and knowledge of working with NGOs. Remember that you should be looking for NGOs or population health considerations that are relevant to countries beyond just the United States.

ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Consider a health topic of your choice and investigate what current NGOs are doing on behalf of your chosen topic. (Keep in mind that the country you focus on in this course should not be the United States.) Remember, you need to make contact with your chosen NGO, or population health professional with knowledge of NGOs, and interview them. After your interview, evaluate the NGO, paying special attention to its ability (and potential willingness) to get help with your health topic of choice. For your assessment, make sure you are addressing the following:

• Differentiate public health NGOs from governmental public health organizations.
  • Provide a history of the selected organization.
  • Examine the financial health of the organization including how much money the organization has raised for the selected program.
    • Include current data related to money raised, money distributed, and the effect on the health initiative.
  • Identify countries where this organization has a presence.
  • Explain how stakeholders and members are selected or join the organization.
• Explain the advantages public health NGOs have over government-sponsored programs.
  • Compare NGOs to government-sponsored programs in terms of the following:
    • How donations are sought and obtained.
    • How funds are distributed.
    • How application for assistance is made.
• Summarize the challenges public health NGOs have in comparison with government-sponsored programs.
• Analyze the sufficiency of data available to meet the criteria that public health NGOs use to choose to get involved in a health issue.
  • Examine the determining criteria for this organization to get involved in a health issue.
    • Data used.
    • Scope or severity.
    • Degree of need.
  • Discuss how you would approach this agency for assistance.
• Explain how your research and interviewing experiences challenged or met your assumptions about public health organizations and delivery.
  • What surprised (or aligned with your expectations) about public health delivery?
  • What surprised (or aligned with your expectations) about NGOs versus government-sponsored programs?
  • How has this experience affected you?