2024 Faces of Africa: Beauty & Wellness and Decolonizing Global Health
Conference room with attendees watching a large screen featuring with a speaker and 2 other speakers are sitting at a table. The setting includes Johns Hopkins University and African Public Health Network banners.
This is the second post in this two-part Q&A series on the 2024 Faces of Africa Conference at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. This post is with Dr. Misker Teka, the Communication Officer at the African Public Health Network (APHN) (2023 - 2024). If you have not read the first post yet, click here to read it.
The second part shares the interdisciplinary nature of the conferences, focusing on the areas of beauty, wellness, and decolonizing global health. Beauty may not be your first thought when it comes to a public health conference, but beauty and wellness are very interlinked. For more on this, continue reading.
For those of us who were not able to attend the events, could you share some of the highlights from the panels on Decolonizing Global Health & Health Systems in Transition?
Panel 1: Decolonizing Knowledge Systems
Speakers: Desmond Tanko, Julianne Weis, Bamba Gaye, and Bareng Aletta Sanny Nonyane.
Key Takeaways:
Inclusivity in Health Policies: The panel emphasized the importance of incorporating local knowledge and cultural context into health policies. This helps in creating more effective and sustainable health solutions.
Power Dynamics: There was a strong focus on addressing the power imbalances that often position Western perspectives as dominant. The speakers advocated for shifting these dynamics to empower local communities and experts.
Collaborative Efforts: The need for greater collaboration between global health institutions and local entities was highlighted. This includes ensuring that local voices are not just heard but are leading the conversation on health issues affecting their communities.
Panel 2: Health Systems in Transition
Speakers: Malick Anne, Adeyi Olusoji, Adaeze Oreh, and Muyiwa Tegbe
Key Takeaways:
Health Financing: A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to innovative health financing strategies. The panelists shared insights on how to increase domestic health spending while reducing out-of-pocket expenses for citizens.
Resilience Building: The panel underscored the importance of building resilient health systems that can withstand crises such as pandemics. This includes improving infrastructure, workforce capacity, and emergency response mechanisms.
Technology and Innovation: The role of technology and innovative practices in transforming health systems was a major focus. Panelists highlighted successful case studies where digital health tools and innovative approaches have significantly improved health outcomes.
These panels provided valuable insights and fostered rich discussions on the future of global health and health systems in Africa. They highlighted the critical need for decolonizing health knowledge systems and building resilient, well-financed health infrastructures to ensure better health outcomes for all.
"By fostering a culture of innovation, Africa can leapfrog traditional barriers and implement cutting-edge solutions that enhance health outcomes across the continent."
Faces of Africa also had His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, the former Acting Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as a Keynote Speaker. Why are health security, innovation, and resilience key to Africa’s new dawn?
Health security is the foundation of a robust public health system. Dr. Ouma highlighted that ensuring health security involves safeguarding populations from health threats through effective prevention, preparedness, and response strategies. This is especially critical in Africa, where health systems have historically been vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola, malaria, and more recently, COVID-19. Strengthening health security means building resilient health infrastructure, enhancing disease surveillance, and ensuring rapid response capabilities. This not only protects populations but also stabilizes economies and communities, fostering a safer and more predictable environment for development.
Innovation is the driving force behind transformative health solutions. Dr. Ouma pointed out that Africa's unique challenges require innovative approaches tailored to its specific contexts. This includes leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery, utilizing mobile health (mHealth) platforms to reach remote areas, and developing cost-effective medical solutions that are accessible to all. Innovation also encompasses new models of healthcare financing and partnerships that can sustainably support health initiatives. By fostering a culture of innovation, Africa can leapfrog traditional barriers and implement cutting-edge solutions that enhance health outcomes across the continent.
Resilience is the capacity of health systems to withstand and adapt to shocks, whether they are pandemics, natural disasters, or other crises. Dr. Ouma emphasized that building resilience involves not only improving infrastructure and resources but also ensuring that health systems are flexible and responsive to changing needs. This includes investing in healthcare workers, developing robust supply chains, and creating systems that can quickly pivot in response to emergencies. Resilience ensures that health gains are sustainable and that communities can recover swiftly from disruptions, maintaining the continuity of care and services.
"Faces of Africa" African Public Health Conference 2024 at Johns Hopkins University, with a speaker at a podium and banners promoting the event.
In summary, health security, innovation, and resilience are intertwined pillars that support Africa's journey towards a new dawn. They ensure that health systems are equipped to protect populations, embrace new technologies and approaches, and remain robust in the face of challenges. Dr. Ouma's insights underscore the importance of these elements in building a future where health and well-being are accessible to all Africans, driving the continent towards sustainable development and prosperity.
The conference ended with the Ankara Gala and the crowning of Miss. and Mr. Hopkins which was sponsored by Helaz Beauty an Ethiopian-owned make-up brand. Could you share more about why you included this in the public health conference as well as the linkages you see between beauty and public health?
The Faces of Africa Hopkins African Public Health Conference concluded with the vibrant and culturally rich Ankara Gala, featuring the crowning of Miss and Mr. Hopkins, sponsored by Helaz Beauty, an Ethiopian-owned makeup brand. Including this segment in a public health conference may seem unconventional, but it was a deliberate and strategic choice that underscored the intersection of culture, community, and public health.
The "Ankara Gala" was designed as an infotainment section to engage attendees in a culturally immersive experience. This two-day conference culminated in a celebration of African diversity through cultural outfits, dances, and food from various regions across the continent. This approach highlighted the importance of understanding and appreciating different cultures, a crucial aspect for public health professionals who often work within diverse communities. By promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity, the event aimed to foster a deeper connection and understanding among attendees, which is essential in effective public health practice
"It reinforced the idea that public health is not just about medical interventions but also about understanding and integrating cultural and social determinants of health."
The Miss and Mr. Hopkins segment was particularly impactful in promoting different African countries and their unique cultural attributes. Through questions posed by judges, Bloomberg students gained insights into the distinctive features and traditions of various African nations. This not only enhanced cultural awareness but also provided a platform to showcase and support small African-owned businesses like Helaz Beauty. By integrating these businesses into the event, the conference highlighted the linkages between beauty, cultural identity, and public health. Beauty and grooming practices are integral to cultural expression and personal identity, which can influence mental and social well-being—key components of holistic public health.
Overall, the Ankara Gala and the crowning of Miss and Mr. Hopkins served as a celebratory and educational capstone to the conference. It reinforced the idea that public health is not just about medical interventions but also about understanding and integrating cultural and social determinants of health. This approach ensured that the conference was not only informative but also inclusive and representative of the rich cultural tapestry of Africa.
A group of conference attendees at the Ankara Gala standing in front of a large portrait, smiling for a group photo.
What are your three words to describe the conference?
Thought-provoking, innovative and engaging
Where can people stay connected with APHN and you?
LinkedIn: African Public Health Network
Instagram: @APHN_Hopkins
Facebook: @APHNHopkins
Hopkins Group Website: APHN
The current and past officers can be found on our LinkedIn page. We constantly update our social media platforms with engaging content so we advise you to follow us and stay updated for upcoming events, competitions, and conferences.
Misker Teka, MD, MPH: Misker is an MD and MPH who served APHN as a communication officer for the term 2023/2024. Her areas of interest include health equity, mental health, and healthcare management with a focus on LMIC. Misker is a public speaker, communication expert, and an avid user of social media for professional development.
You can follow her on LinkedIn and stay up to date with her work on her personal website.
