Global Health is a field of study that addresses the health of people and populations in a global context. It involves mutual teaching, research, and health care that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity worldwide. It examines the social determinants of health, addressing disparities including infectious and non-communicable disease issues, humanitarian response, as well as economic development and policy and system issues.

Medical students at the the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine have several ways to get involved with our Global Health Programs including:

Global Health Electives On-Campus

Semester long courses offered on campus for College of Medicine Students

Global Health Electives Off-Campus

Community-based electives and clerkships

Our global health involvement has stretched from Iowa City across the world. A sample of recent activities includes:

  • Global health book discussion groups for all medical students
  • Global Medicine Society/Student Physicians for Human Rights organization, and Global Health Journal Clubs
  • 12 MD graduates with Global Health Distinction in the class of 2025

Global Health Travel

Africa: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

Australia: Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand

Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, and West Indies

Europe: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden

Middle East: Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, and Turkey

North America: The Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, United States, including Indian Health Services

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela

South Pacific: Cook Islands, East Timor, Philippines, Samoa, and Vanuatu

Attendance and presentations at local, regional, national, and international conferences