World Health Day 2024
The World Health Day theme for this year revolves around ‘My Health, My Right,’ spotlighting the fundamental entitlement of every person to access quality healthcare services, education, and information, alongside essential resources like safe drinking water, clean air, proper nutrition, quality housing, conducive working environments, and equitable treatment, free from discrimination. At TeachAids, we have had the great fortune of engaging thousands of young volunteers since our founding in 2009. In honor of this significant day, we engaged a few of our many outstanding young volunteers to offer their perspectives on public health.
Samantha (Sam) Yamashita is a sophomore Anthropology major at Princeton University who has volunteered with TeachAids for five years. As a dedicated Global Health Fellow, she has been actively involved in various initiatives, with her most recent endeavor centered around the creation of the CrashCourse Concussion Toolkits. Reflecting on her journey, she recounts, “Participating in the CoviDB Speaker Series interviews exposed me to insights from esteemed medical professionals regarding COVID-19. Witnessing the widespread utilization of these informative videos underscored the profound impact of health promotion beyond conventional clinical settings.”
Sam emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, noting, “One crucial lesson gleaned from my collaboration with the TeachAids team is the imperative of bridging silos within disparate sectors. While each sector excels in its domain, true progress necessitates cohesive efforts.” She highlights TeachAids’ holistic approach to public health, emphasizing the significance of collaborative partnerships in achieving collective goals over individualistic pursuits.
Sam also emphasizes the impact that volunteering had on determining her career path. “TeachAids’ work touches a lot of populations that I might not otherwise be able to connect with. It has also been the foundation of my academic interests. I don’t know if I would be so interested in social science and medical anthropology if I hadn’t been exposed to TeachAids’ work so early on. I’ve learned how to develop learning tools from the ground up, keeping the people I intend to serve in mind. Everything that TeachAids produces is very thoughtful and empathetic in that way, and that’s something I will try and take with me in all my endeavors.”
Nathaniel (Nate) Braun‘s involvement with TeachAids has been pivotal in shaping his endeavors within public health policy, medical education, and research. Nate started working on TeachAids’ initiatives as a freshman at Stanford. Having graduated in 2021, he is now a Project Manager at Medspace.
Recalling his academic journey, Nate explains, “As a history student specializing in public service, my focus gravitated towards public health, fostered in part by the insightful Global Health Interventions course led by TeachAids.” While working on with the CoviDB Resource Task Force, he proposed the development of a dedicated covid education resource called CoviDB4Kids. It is tailored for children 12 and under, a project he regards with immense pride.
Reflecting on his experiences, Braun echoes the profound lesson imparted by Dr. Sorcar’s teachings in class at Stanford. He emphasizes, “The belief in the individual’s capacity to effect tangible change resonated deeply with me. It serves as a constant source of motivation, reaffirming the innate ability within each of us to enact positive transformations.“
Similar to Nate, Roberto Lama started working on TeachAids’ initiatives as a freshman at Stanford as part of Dr. Sorcar’s Global Health course. He graduated in 2022 and now works full time at Element Biosciences as a Senior Software Engineer.
During the tumultuous period marked by rampant misinformation surrounding COVID-19, Roberto played an instrumental role in helping to construct the CoviDB.org database before redirecting his efforts towards enhancing information retention in the CrashCourse project.
Reflecting on his experiences, Roberto delves into the critical role of preventive measures in averting health complications, stating, “Many health-related issues, including syndromes and diseases, are preventable. Take COVID-19, for instance; adopting behaviors like mask-wearing and social distancing significantly reduce the risk of contraction. However, misinformation and lack of education pose formidable challenges.”
Roberto underscores the imperative of disseminating accurate and accessible information to both scientific communities and the general population. Drawing from his Ecuadorian roots, he shares a poignant adage, “A person who doesn’t know, doesn’t see.” This sentiment resonates particularly in the domain of preventative medicine, where awareness serves as the first step towards fostering healthier practices.
In light of the profound lessons gleaned from the pandemic, Roberto advocates for a comprehensive approach to public health policy, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders. He echoes the sentiment voiced by the TeachAids volunteers, emphasizing the transformative potential of collective action in shaping healthier societies.
Micah Gilbert, a third year student at UC San Diego studying Mathematics, has been with TeachAids for four years. He has been closely involved with projects such as CoviDB.org and the CrashCourse Concussion Story Wall website. These projects have provided him with invaluable experiences collaborating on cross-functional teams and navigating multifaceted challenges.
Reflecting on his journey, Micah shares, “While delving into the technical intricacies of website development has been enriching, the true value lies in the collaborative synergy of diverse teams.” He emphasizes the significance of health education as a universally impactful endeavor, remarking, “The tangible impact of such projects is profound. Health education transcends boundaries, catering to individuals at various levels, from fundamental health insights to facilitating groundbreaking research.”
Micah especially valued the website testing phases, recognizing its potential to empower researchers and individuals alike in effecting substantial change.
Amy Bugwadia is currently a 2nd year Medical Student at Stanford University. Since 2021, she has been leading coordination efforts as a Sr. Research Assistant with TeachAids’ Institute for Brain Research and Innovation. Her family ties to education have instilled in her a profound interest in the intersection of health, education, and youth empowerment.
Expressing her passion for fostering informed decision-making in health, Amy remarks, “My personal experiences with chronic illnesses fuel my advocacy for empowering individuals to actively participate in their health journey. I believe in shifting the paradigm towards a collaborative approach, where education serves as the catalyst for empowerment and understanding.”
Drawing inspiration from the collaborative ethos of TeachAids, Amy emphasizes the collective effort required in promoting holistic health. She reflects on the transformative power of community-driven initiatives, stating, “TeachAids exemplifies the essence of collaboration among learners and educators across diverse life stages. Embracing the concept of health as a collective, we encourage a culture of mutual support and care.” Amy underscores the significance of youth engagement in shaping healthier communities, highlighting TeachAids’ dedication to prioritizing the well-being of young individuals.
At TeachAids, we firmly believe that our volunteers are the cornerstone of our impactful endeavors. On the occasion of World Health Day, we want to express our gratitude towards our dedicated team of volunteers. Beyond the conceptualisation and launch of successful projects, we admire the unwavering curiosity, passion and purpose with which they address global health challenges. We are excited to share more stories of the remarkable people at TeachAids who exemplify the spirit of service and drive our mission forward.