Global Health Enriching the States Economy

A study conducted by the University of Washington shows that the work intended for global health is in fact enriching the Washington State economy.

The research was conducted by a UW team including William Beyers, professor of geography; Amy Hagopian, professor in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine; Jennifer Devine, co-director of the Global Washington Initiative; and Sally Weatherford, finance and administration director of the Department of Global Health. The Global Health Council is the world's largest membership alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world.

The Council works to ensure that all who strive for improvement and equity in global health have the information and resources they need to succeed.

Combining the activities from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to rural health clinics the study aims to quantify the growing impact of global-health activities in the state.

The work by nonprofits, businesses, universities and government in areas such as medical biotechnology, infectious diseases, reproductive health and family planning were all include in the study.

The researchers found that the global health activities accounted for $1.8 billion in labor income and $141 million in state tax revenues.

The study also the study combined international activities by organizations like the Gates Foundation with work in Washington State to improve the health of immigrants, refugees and Native Americans.

It attributed more than 3,500 jobs in Washington State to organizations and companies addressing global health in low-income countries abroad, and more than 10,000 state jobs to organizations and companies working domestically. At an average salary of $56,000, the jobs pay 37 percent above the state average. In total it created 44,000 jobs which included indirect jobs such as clerical workers employed at research institutes.

Gov. Christine Gregoire, who requested the study., says "This research effort confirms what so many of us believe — Washington is leading the world in global health and building bridges around the world through scientific collaborations, philanthropic investments and direct services to communities."

It has also been seen that Washington state citizens are involved in health, poverty, social justice, economic development, the environment and global learning according to another study conducted. This study identified 350 nonprofit organizations and foundations supporting international projects for sustainable development, and 500 organizations working domestically on sustainable development concerning international populations and the environment.

Source-Medindia
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