Global Health: Why Should Minnesotan's Care?

Live Broadcast Spotlights World Health, Impact and Next Steps for MN
Features health experts, state leaders, and community dialogue

WATCH IN REALVIDEO

SARS, AIDS…Even when illness strikes in a remote part of the world, there are dramatic and often immediate implications for families in Minnesota.

In a unique programming venture,Twin Cities Public Television aired a live broadcast Global Health: Why Should Minnesotans Care? from tpt studios in St. Paul. A national companion broadcast produced by PBS NewsHour called ‘By the People: America in the World’ followed the live broadcast.

This unique ongoing partnership merges the diverse interests of Twin Cities Public Television, the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota International Center, Mall of America, The Hennepin County Library System and Minnesota Humanities Commission; and stems out of tpt's Minnesota Collaborative initiative, which brings together partner organizations to better serve the public using television as an educational tool.

Hosted by tpt's local NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro, the program featured footage from Haiti, Bangladesh and Thailand illustrating the health challenges facing people, countries and the world. The show had a live link to a community dialogue at the Mall of America organized by the Minnesota International Center. A live web chat hosted by Hennepin County Library System offered users a chance to be part of an online conversation.

Guests included Mayo Clinic physicians, a medical ethics specialist, policy experts and Minnesota congressional representatives. The community dialogue participants are made up of a diversity of citizens brought together by the Minnesota International Center.

The World Health Organization lists the Top 10 world health issues by illness of poverty (poor nutrition, iron deficiency, unsafe conditions), maladies of prosperity (obesity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse) and infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS). Can Minnesotans prepare against bugs, virus and infection? How do we protect our families? What is our responsibility to the world?