Can we Walk the Talk on Decolonizing Global Health?

Get exclusive insights from top global health activists: Dr. Madhukar Pai (twitter:@paimadhu) and Dr. Steve Gloyd chat with University of Washington School of Public Health students on how to 'unplug from the matrix' of colonial global health.

The must-read takeaways:

• The "Magnetic North" always pulls health and wealth towards white male privilege. That's why you HAVE to overcompensate with equity.

• Be unhinged! Have ruthlessly brutally honest conversations about the world. Dr Pai interviewed youth from around the globe on what's wrong with global health, and "their scathing damnation of the industry was eye-opening." When elected leaders have tunnel vision focused only on their next election, it's up to the unfiltered youth to speak truth to power.
• PLOS Global Health (@PLOSGPH) was born from a vision of equity, inspired by a tweet from Madhu Pai, MD, PhD (@paimadhu). Today, it's one of the most diverse global health journals out there.
• White saviorism isn't just for white people. Anyone can fall into this trap. True allyship requires hard work and consistent intention every single day.
• The Global South needs to prioritize self-determination and decolonization. It's time to stop relying on the Global North and start producing our own vaccines, organizing our own conferences, and securing independent funding.
• "Things can beautifully happen in the Global South without any interference from the Global North at all." Let's shut up and make it happen.

These are important messages that we should all take to heart as we work towards justice in global health.

Interested in reading more? Check out my full Twitter thread of reflections and a blog post by the University of Washington School of Public Health on Dr Madhu Pai's views on power, privilege, and allyship.