Welcome

The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine applies social science and humanities research to constantly improve the practice of medicine, the delivery of treatment, and the development of health care policies locally and worldwide. Major efforts include developing the science of global health delivery implementation; advancing equity in health care delivery; and educating students and researchers on biosocial determinants of disease, health care delivery, and responsible practice of medicine. The Department is the central structure to help organize global health activities, especially medical education experiences, at Harvard Medical School.

Upcoming Events

The psychological toll of health care rationing should not be underestimated

Newsweek
In this commentary, Sadath Sayeed (HMS) draws on his experience as a neonatal critical care specialist to examine the psychological toll on health care workers who must ration limited resources during the coronavirus pandemic.

Who should doctors save? Inside the debate about how to ration coronavirus care

Newsweek
This article discusses the agonizing decisions of clinicians faced with rationing dwindling health care resources in times of scarcity. Robert Truog (HMS/Boston Children’s) is quoted.

Primary Care Offices Struggle To Stay Solvent During Pandemic

New England Public Radio
The coronavirus pandemic has put immense financial strain on primary care practices as doctors cancel well visits in an effort to limit contact and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Russell Phillips (HMS/Beth Israel Deaconess), director of the Center for Primary Care at Harvard Medical School, is quoted.

The above may not include all upcoming events. To see our full listing, please visit our events page.

GHSM Faculty write about COVID-19

History in a Crisis - Lessons for COVID-19

NEJM
In this perspective, David Jones (HMS) considers historical pandemics and what we might expect from the current COVID-19 pandemic. Hes suggests that, "the history of epidemics offers considerable advice, but only if people know the history and respond with wisdom."

The demand for inpatient and ICU beds for COVID-19 in the US: lessons from Chin…

medRxiv
This pre-printed article written by Megan Murray and colleagues, considers the timing of COVID-19 lockdowns in relation to mitigating outbreaks.