Global health neglected

Jason Klein Denmark

Medical education is failing to teach students about critical public health issues that will influence how they function as doctors, according to delegates at a meeting of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) in Denmark. Although many medical students do eventually learn about the problems influencing global health, this often is not sufficient to influence policy. The 500 delegates, representing 90 countries, agreed that students also need to know about the wider issues which influence global health if any real change is to be achieved.

The federation's aim is to encourage medical students to take an active role in addressing vital health problems currently faced by the majority of the world's population.

For further information on the work of IFSMA visit www.ifsma.org



studentBMJ 2001;09:305-356 September ISSN 0966-6494