World Health Organization (WHO)
Topic Update!
Download the topic update (pdf)
World Health Organization
Sophia Hsieh
WHO@bruinmun.org
Dear Delegates,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the World Health Organization at BruinMUN 2011! My name is Sophia Hsieh and I will be your committee chair for BruinMUN 2011. This is my eighth year involved in Model United Nations, and am sad to say that it will be my last. Therefore, I hope to make my last high school conference as exciting as possible! I am an Economics major with a minor in Art History. Outside of academics I am actively involved on the executive board of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies, UCLA’s largest academic and service honor society.
The World Health Organization is one of the most important organizations within the United Nations System. WHO sets the standard for data based policy solution, provides leadership on global health issues, develops the international health research agenda, and confers aid to countries that need support assessing and monitoring health trends. At the World Health Organization at BruinMUN 2011, you will spend an entire weekend discussing two of the most pressing health topics that affect the world today: HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and Reproductive Health for Women. As of 2009, the World Health Organization’s global summary reported 33.3 million people who are infected with HIV. Of this 33.3 million, 68% of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa. 2.6 million still births occurred world in 2009 (The Lancet). Sadly, most of these deaths occur in underdeveloped and developing nations who don’t have access to the medical care needed taking care of maternal and newborn health. As you can see the vast amount of people in the international community who are affected by these health issues, deem these topics worthy of discussion.
I am really excited to see the creative solutions you have to offer to deal with these situations. I encourage you to research and learn the policies of your respective countries regarding these topics to ensure that the committee will be able to have thoughtful and insightful dialogue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have about committee, Model United Nations, or UCLA in general! I look forward to meeting and working with you in person!
Best,
Sophia Hsieh
World Health Organization, Chair
Topics
Download Topic Synopsis! (pdf) Updated June 21. Document is password protected.
Topic A: HIV/AIDS in Africa
HIV is a retrovirus that is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen, break milk, blood, and vaginal fluid. More often than not, HIV will lead to AIDS if treatment is not provided. This epidemic is especially prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region is more impacted by the HIV/AIDS plague than any other in the world. Over two-thirds of the 33.3 million people infected with HIV reside in this 8.1 million square mile region. AIDS is the number one killer disease in Sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing deaths caused by malaria. This heavy concentration of infections is due to the poor economy of the region. Economic disparity contributes to the lack of education for protection against HIV/AIDS and treatment for the epidemic.
Topic B: Reproductive Health in Women
The World Health Organization defines health “as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Reproductive health in women addresses not only the reproductive process but also the functions and well being of the reproductive system throughout a woman’s life. This topic will discuss the need for health care services in underdeveloped and developing nations that will allow women to have a safe pregnancy and childbirth, as well as ensure newborn health.
Contact Your Chair: WHO@bruinmun.org