Global Health Histories FAQs

On 24 April 2018 a Global Health Histories seminar will be held for the first time in York, UK (See - www.york.ac.uk/history/global-health-histories/events/ghh-104-tobacco-control/). This will give a lot of our UK-based followers the first chance to attend one in person. For some it will be their first time engaging with the series. So we’ve put together his quick look at the series’ history and as well as some frequently asked questions.

What are the Global Health Histories Seminars?

The Global Health Histories project (or GHH) was launched back in 2004 to bring together academics, policymakers, public health professionals and members of the public from all over the world to foster useful discussions on topical global health issues, and create opportunities for historians and policy makers to connect with and learn from each other. Over the course of almost a hundred events to date it has provided a framework for academic research to be made available freely to policymakers beyond the conventional academic avenues.

What is their purpose?

The underlying goal of the Global Health Histories project is based on the idea that understanding the history of health, especially during the last 60 years, can help the global public health community respond to present-day challenges. The enduring value to the series is in using different perspectives to tackle issues about how disease has spread, how illness is experienced, and how it is managed across different cultures and time periods.

Which topics have been covered?

Too many to mention all of them here! There have now been over one hundred seminars. Some annual series have focussed on specific areas, such as neglected tropical diseases and the road to universal health coverage, whereas individual seminars have explored topics such as antimicrobial resistance, health communication, healthy ageing and yellow fever. Out next seminar, on 24th April 2018, concerns tobacco control. In many cases you can access recordings via our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/CGHHYork.

Where are the seminars usually held?

The seminars are usually held at the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, but from time to time seminars are run all over the world. In some cases these events will be broadcast live over the internet, but when this is not possible a recording is usually made and then added to our YouTube channel shortly afterwards.

Who can access these seminars?

Anyone can tune in to the online broadcasts, however please do check beforehand whether or not you will be able to attend in person. The next seminar in York is open to the public: you can register at: www.york.ac.uk/history/global-health-histories/events/ghh-104-tobacco-control/

I won’t be available to log in to the live broadcast but have a question for the panel?

Just email cghh@york.ac.uk. When a seminar is broadcast live you will be informed beforehand seminars are broadcast live so you can also Tweet your question.

Have you just run seminars?

No, we have produced a range of books based on some of the themes and presentations covered in the seminars. They are all free to access online and are multilingual. See www.york.ac.uk/history/global-health-histories/publications-outreach/ for further details.

How do I get more information on upcoming seminars and connected projects?
If you’d like to join the event mailing lists please write us an email at cghh@york.ac.uk. Our website (www.york.ac.uk/history/global-health-histories/) is regularly updated. You can also follow updates via social media, on Facebook (@TheCentreForGlobalHealthHistories) and Twitter (@CGHH_York). For past GHH recordings visit our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/CGHHYork)

Who runs and funds the project?

The project is a collaboration between the WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Health Histories (which is housed in the Department of History at the University of York) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The project is supported by the Wellcome Trust, one of the largest charitable foundations in the world.