Podcast

Infectious diseases have been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout history. Today, however, the burden of infectious diseases is diminishing while the mobility from chronic, non-infectious diseases is growing dramatically. Low-resource nations are particularly ill-equipped to manage diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung, and chronic heart diseases. This session illuminates the power of lifestyle improvements, continuity of primary care, and provision of life-saving medications.

Speaker(s): Nicholas Comninellis MD, MPH, DIMPH
Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/chronic-disease-amid-chronic-poverty

Does brushing your teeth regularly decrease Type II diabetes? We'll discuss that question and many others as we explore connections between oral and systemic health. Because we are so used to the American dichotomy between Medicine and Dentistry, people are often surprised to see and hear how mouth health affects body health. This lecture will seek to remedy that by examining how important a role oral health plays in the lives of our patients who are dealing with a myriad of other disease states. We'll show how having dental care available on a missions team can play a synergistic role in combating various diseases. In addition, we will show ways that dentistry can have a strategic impact towards meeting spiritual needs during short-term or long-term missions.

Speaker(s): Ryan Bowles
Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/oral-heath-connections-to-systemic-heath-why-your-mission-team-needs-a-dentist

This session will cover a Biblical anchoring for spiritual oppression, the enemy's methods and goals, and tools for resisting the enemy.

Speaker(s): Dr. Mark W Anderson
Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/standing-firmly-in-our-spiritual-world

Quality digital systems in low-resource settings empower and engage healthcare workers to provide high-quality care for every person. With a responsive digital platform developed in the field, The Luke Commission (Eswatini, Africa) has piloted a system that priorities accountability, transparency, and efficiency to maximize health outcomes for every patient.

Speaker(s): Echo Nomsa VanderWal
Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/revolutionizing-compassionate-patient-care-in-low-resource-settings-through-digital-systems

We aimed to assist church members in Hispanic churches to become certified and trained CHWs and mentor them to lead a six-month diabetes self-management program. We found that raising up individuals from the church to become health leaders (CHWs) in their community is a promising model to increase the reach of the church while reducing health disparities.

Speaker(s): Betty Nava
Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/creating-healthy-communities-a-church-based-community-health-worker-led-initiative