The Optimist: May Highlights
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
We are a nonprofit organization fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world.
This month’s newsletter dives into the crucial connection between women’s health and economic power and shares news about ultrasound innovations improving prenatal care in low- and middle-income countries. It also highlights an inspiring story from rural Kenya, where a specially bred cow is transforming a farmer’s livelihood and community. Stay up to date with stories, news, events, and more from the Gates Foundation by subscribing to The Optimist today.
Supporting women’s health is the key to advancing women’s economic power
Women’s health and their economic power are inextricably linked, because women can’t do well if they can’t be well. No country can grow more prosperous or healthier while leaving behind half of its population. In a new feature on the Gates Foundation’s website, Marie Ba, director of the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit, tells us what’s at stake if countries do not address the women’s health gap. Then, Dr. Stellah Wairimu Bosire shares her own transformative story, overcoming some immense hurdles to economic power. So please—read, watch, and let us know what you think.
Ultrasounds in hand, midwives are transforming maternal health
Nurses and midwives save women’s lives every day. So, when they are excited about a healthcare innovation, the world should listen. A new portable and AI-enabled ultrasound was designed specifically for the needs of women in low- and middle-income countries. As our colleague Dr. Rasa Izadnegahdar explains, lack of access to ultrasounds contributes to high maternal and infant mortality rates in much of the world. Hear from midwives, nurses, and researchers in Kenya who are currently testing and using this new device.
领英推荐
Meet the farmers and scientists using remarkable cows to help their communities thrive
Moo-ving on to our final topic, how do better cows lead to better grades? In rural Kenya, Josephine Kimonyi runs a small farm, but her cow wasn’t supplying enough milk to feed her family. Luckily, Josephine had an idea. She learned about a new kind of cow, carefully bred to produce nearly 16 liters of milk. Scientists from Kenya to Scotland had come together to breed this very special cow to benefit farmers like Josephine. She saved up to purchase one—and saw how one special cow could help change her family’s future. Meet the farmers, scientists, and yes, even the cows, that are transforming communities in Kenya and beyond.
Stay up to date with stories, news, events, and more from the Gates Foundation by subscribing to The Optimist today.
The Optimist is the Gates Foundation’s newsletter with the latest stories, research, and news from across the foundation. Read about this month’s content and subscribe to get weekly updates on the latest in global health, gender equality, education, and more.
environmental and climate journalist in @hum sub @Lok sujag , article writer@ the news on sunday magazine
2 个月Incredible work
Columbia University, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain
5 个月Karen Blackmon, PhD, ABPP-CN
Seasoned Nonprofit Leader Eager to Drive Impact: Exploring Exciting Opportunities in Nonprofits, Travel, and Beyond!
5 个月In the news and our daily lives, we hear so much about the evil and harm we do to each other. It is refreshing to read what is being done to make our world a better place. Melinda Gates, thank you for standing up and making women the focus of the work that you are doing. "No country can grow more prosperous or healthier while leaving behind half of its population," resonates with me, especially now as the clock of time is turning back and women's rights are being taken away in so much of our world.
Driving Revenue Growth through Social Impact and Partnerships
5 个月What an incredible testament to the power of dedication and advocacy in the realm of women's health! It's truly inspiring to read about the impactful work being done by the Ouagadougou Partnership, spearheaded by individuals like the director mentioned in the article. The commitment to improving access to contraception in francophone West Africa is not just about healthcare—it's about empowering women to make choices about their bodies and futures. The link between women's health and economic prosperity highlighted in the article is a crucial one. It's clear that when women are given the tools and resources to plan their families, they not only lead healthier lives but also contribute significantly to the growth and stability of their communities and economies. The emphasis on addressing systemic barriers, such as gender inequality and limited access to education and opportunities, underscores the importance of holistic approaches to development. Thank you for sharing!
Attended Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha
5 个月Jay jagannath Jay hind