WSU partners to deliver health improvements in East Africa

SEATTLE – Washington State University will join four other state global health groups in a partnership to improve the lives of people living in the area of Arusha, Tanzania, in eastern Africa.

Challenges facing the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people are considered too complex to be solved by a single organization with a single approach.

“Washington is home to many global health organizations and we are leveraging their particular expertise to address large challenges, such as access to clean water,” said Lisa Cohen, executive director for one of the partners, the Washington Global Health Alliance.

In addition to water, the partnership’s goals include sanitation and hygiene improvements and helping communities sustain these efforts.

WSU has ongoing projects in the area, including:

* Research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria (https://archive.news.wsu.edu/2012/01/03/training-scientists-locally-to-solve-problems-globally/#.Un1euZHTmfA)

* Rabies vaccination efforts (https://archive.news.wsu.edu/2013/01/08/pro-team-visits-wsu-rabies-clinic-in-africa/#.Un1fA5HTmfA)

* Research and exchange initiatives with the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (https://archive.news.wsu.edu/2013/10/29/partnership-boosts-east-africa-wsu-ed-research-opportunities/#.Un1fP5HTmfA)

The partnership was inspired by the Seattle Sounders football club’s interest in engaging in global health and a visit to Tanzania by team members in January 2013. Other partners are the University of Washington and the international nonprofit groups PATH and World Vision.

Find more information here:

WSU’s Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health: http://globalhealth.wsu.edu

Washington Global Health Alliance: http://www.wghalliance.org

PATH: http://www.path.org

University of Washington Department of Global Health: http://globalhealth.washington.edu

World Vision: http://www.WorldVision.org