Tom Murphy

What do Americans think about the role of the US in global health? A Kaiser Family Foundation survey released today sought to answer that question.

As you may already know, Americans are terrible at guessing how much of the US budget is spent on foreign assistance. Previous surveys put the estimates...

Nigeria is home to one out of every eight child deaths worldwide. Routine vaccinations save lives and money. The Decade of Vaccines Economics projects 90 percent vaccine coverage against Hib, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles and pertussis can save 600,000 lives and $17 billion in Nigeria over the next 10 years.

An instructive e-book on global health by TED Senior Fellow and health care expert Alanna Shaikh debuted a...

The timing of the Kony 2012 campaign is quite apt in light of the recent release of Dr Samantha Nutt's memoir-cum-aid commentary Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies & Aid. Dr Nutt, a physician and the founder and Executive Director of War Child Canada, shares her experiences as an aid...

Mumbai -- A unique public-private partnership involving private sector giants like Unilever and Heinz is improving the health of Indian children. Two hours outside India's tech hub Bangalore is Krishnagiri the Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP) is using interest-free microfinance loans to increase access to products people could not...

The present political climate in the United States has led to a full assault on social programs, demeaned as "entitlements" by opponents. The race for the Republican nominee has become a place to beat up on social programs. Newt Gingrich has gone on to call President Obama "the best food-stamp...

Reuters is stepping up to provide more comprehensive coverage of humanitarian aid. Recently, they launched the 'Future of Aid' section that is filled with graphics, stories and videos about humanitarian aid. The present focus of the section is centered around aid spending.

In a survey of...

Countries in the global south, like India and Ghana, are still seen by many as charity recipients. It is due to the fact that 'developing' countries like them receive a sizeable amount of aid from international donors. This long-held view is beginning to shift as nations move to middle income...

Resiliency has become the word of choice and de facto mantra chanted by USAID administrator Raj Shah. This reflects an organizational shift of focus in its programming in response to the 5-month-old famine in the Horn of Africa (HoA).

The word "resilient" carries two definitions, both of which are applicable...

mHealth (or mobile health) has become one of the latest super models walking down the runway. The ideas are sexy and potential high as innovators develop the latest app to analyze if a person has malaria on a smart phone. However, like fashion, the excitement for what could...

"Balances need to be struck. 'Poverty porn' is a no-go and portraying aid workers as martyrs is tacky as well, particularly in this age of recipient-led development. However, sharing more of the real stories of aid delivery with the public -- a process with as much blood, sweat, tears...

One of the most simple and cost-effective ways to reduce pneumonia and diarrhea in children involves only two things: soap and water. A Lancet study published randomized control trial on the use of soap in Pakistan found that children under the age of 15 who were provided plain...

In the United States, cancer gets plenty share of notice. It might be yellow LiveStrong bracelets or pink ribbons or runs for the cure. It seems like there are fundraising opportunities at just about every turn for a choice cancer.

This is made easier because nearly everyone has been affected...

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda was supposed to be the last. With humanitarian atrocities easily reported by journalists, NGOs and other international actors, the belief was that it was to never happen again. The collective mantra was, "Never again." Then there was Darfur.

In 2001, as a brokered peace deal...

One of the things that I try to point out here is that some of the best conceived plans can lead to unintended consequences. Even when the work has been done to prepare for all conceivable outcomes and hurdles, things can still go wrong. It is why I am such...

The best part of Google reader is the little share button that sits at the end of each post. It has been the single best way to access posts, blogs, and news stories that I would have not found on my own. One such example is photographer Nana Kofi Acquah...

The past week has experienced the convergence of four high-profile tragedies. The ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa impacts millions, Amy Winehouse died after a long battle with substance abuse, a single man terrorized Oslo killing nearly 70 people, and a two trains collided head-on, killing 39. All have...

In response to the lively debate at Microfinance USA back in May between Errol Damelin, Wonga; Carlos Danel, Compartamos Banco; Adam Davidson, Planet Money, NPR; Ananya Roy, University of California, Berkeley; Felix Salmon, Reuters; and Eric Weaver, Opportunity Fund, Timothy Ogden wrote that focus should not be on whether...

Lady Gaga, to raise money for the Japan earthquake and tsunami, sold bracelets for $5 to her fans. It was a resounding success and raised enough money for Gaga to have made a $1.5 million donation at the end of March. However, some fans are not happy that there were...