Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a health disparity?

A health disparity is any disease that affects an individual or population more frequently, earlier, with greater severity and resistance to treatment, or with greater mortality than in other individuals or populations. A widely published example of a health disparity is type II diabetes among the Pima Indians of Arizona. Pimas 45 years of age or older, have the highest rate of type II diabetes when compared to any other population in the world. We are working toward a state of health equity that will help vulnerable populations to achieve their full health potential.
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2. Why are people concerned about global health?

About 1.3 billion people around the world live in extreme poverty and earn less than $1.25 per day. These conditions lead to chronic hunger, malnutrition, and disease. The term “global health” simply recognizes that we now live in a highly connected and interdependent world. Health status, whether at the individual, community, or national level can no longer be viewed in isolation. Health should be viewed in its global context.
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3. What do you mean by “global economic citizenship”?

We believe a healthy world is a safer, more productive and peaceful world. Currently, there is a huge disparity in prosperity as less than 20% of the world’s population holds more than 80% of the world’s wealth. This leaves about 4 billion people without the ability to save money, secure loans, or purchase basic necessities such as adequate food, fresh water, sanitation, healthcare, or education. These individuals are not considered “citizens” of the global economy.
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4. Why do we need a Global HealthShare?

Traditional philanthropic and humanitarian groups have learned to respond to global disasters, whether natural and man-made, quickly and efficiently. However these approaches are not designed to break the pernicious poverty-disease cycle that robs millions of people of their health and prosperity. We believe the only way to make these programs successful and self-sustaining is by (1) improving health and nutrition by equipping communities with affordable healthcare technology, education, and training that can be used for generations; and (2) generating economic growth by creating local enterprises to manufacture and distribute health products or increasing market access for rural farmers. By focusing on healthy communities and healthy economies, we will empower communities to participate in the creation of an enduring legacy of health and prosperity.
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5. Don’t programs like Global HealthShare just contribute to overpopulating of
the planet?

Decades of research has shown that when household income and health status increases, family size decreases. This is why empowering people financially becomes so important in our approach.
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6. Are you a charity?

No. Although Global HealthShare encourages thoughtful giving, it is not a charity. Using principles similar to the social business model, our philosophy is to leverage the financial, material and intellectual resources of our friends, members and partners to “de-risk” the development of health solutions and deliver them at substantially reduced cost. Any profits will be reinvested back into local social business to create both social and financial return on investment. (See Mohammed Yunis' Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism, 2007).
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7. Are you a non-profit?

As a program founded and housed at UC Davis, we fall under the 501(c)(3) status afforded to institutions of higher learning. This makes your gifts and donations tax deductible.
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8. Who is involved with Global HealthShare?

We are an international consortium of academic and industrial researchers, health-care professionals, business leaders, and philanthropic organizations with a shared vision and commitment to promoting health in developing and low-income countries. We currently have approximately 40 members from 30 institutions in eight countries on three continents. For a list of our members, click here. For a map of our network, click here. Top

9. In what countries does Global HealthShare plan to work?

One important requirement for us to work in a particular country is the need for an “anchor institution.” Anchor institutions are collaborative partners who can provide the organizational infrastructure and networks with local stakeholders like government and community leaders, healthcare professionals and social entrepreneurs. Currently we have programs in Bangladesh, India, Rwanda, and South Africa.
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10. What are the criteria for project selection?

Our projects are selected for their potential to positively impact large, underserved populations generally neglected by some profit-driven organizations. Projects must provide products or services that bridge the health disparity gap between the developed and developing world. Additionally, project solutions must be affordable, sustainable, and culturally appropriate. Our project teams must be committed to disseminating data and knowledge to targeted populations that is credible, accessible and intelligible.
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11. How will my donation or gift be used?

Your gift may be used to provide vaccines for neglected tropical diseases, milk refrigeration trucks for smallholder dairy farmers, or new therapies for diarrheal disease in children. If you would like to make a gift now, you can designate which project you would like to support. You can make a gift here. For a list of our projects, click here.
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12. Where are you located?

While our members and partner institutions are present around the world, our headquarters are located at the University of California, Davis campus. Our address is:

1144 Plant Reproductive Biology Building (Mailstop #5)
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
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13. How can I help?

Get involved with Global HealthShare and make a difference by making a gift. Share your thoughs and ideas with us on our Facebook, Twitter, or blog, and use the hashtag #GlobalHealthShare. Spread the word by sharing our mission, goals, projects, and our website with your family, friends, coworkers, and others.
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14. How can my company/organization get involved?

Our success depends on our world-class partners who provide specialized knowledge and services relevant to our projects. We are currently looking for collaborators with legal, financial/investment, and engineering expertise. Please contact us at globalhealthshare@gmail.com with a brief description of your company and your interests.
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