Introduction to HSMUN 2012: World Health Organization (WHO)

Im gonna just put this here...

Just thought you might need some humor in your day...



and this...




oh oh and this one..


have a great day!!

NEARLY A MONTH AWAY!!

HEY GUYS!!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE HSMUN IS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AWAY?! THATS NUTSSSS!!!!

So as we start to hit the final month before the conference, it's time to gear up that research!!

One question that often comes up is the conflict between a nations' own health care system or disease control (for example the CDC in the USA). As delegates it is imperative to figure out what exactly your nations' policy is on something like disease control. While most nations do have similar methods in place such as isolation, quarantine, etc. there are some ambiguities and often these small ambiguities are what can cause the most problems when discussing a resolution. This is why it is imperative that you make sure you find out what your nation's policy on disease prevention is!

Additionally, mental health is recognized as an important issue in many countries yet it remains a taboo subject in others! For those nations which have largely avoid the issue of mental health, it is going to be important that you find a way to maintain your countries stance on mental health while still deliberating!

Again, if you guys have any questions, make sure to email us at hsmun.who@gmail.com !

PEACEEEE

WHOOOT! Research!

Hey guys!

So hopefully by now you are starting to get the hang of this research business and I figured we could perhaps offer you guys some extra information on the DISEASE topic!

Now disease is an important world issue! As you saw last week, the UN has entire site devoted to it (http://www.who.int/diseasecontrol_emergencies/en/)

To help you all see what has been done in the past (to sort of get an idea of what things nations tend to agree upon and pass in the UN), check you this site: http://www.who.int/tobacco/framework/wha_eb/wha_resolutions/en/index.html

In addition, if you are curious to see what outbreaks have been reported in your country (and what action the UN has taken), check this out: http://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/country/en/index.html. It might be helpful to see what action the UN took in your own nation to help you figure out what action your nation would be willing to take in others.

Good luck and have fun! Don't forget to email us if you have any question!

Let me see your WHO-ooters!

NO!!! Im kidding!! I dont want to see that...
United States put them away please!!!!

so I hope all your research is going down splendidly =)

I thought i would check up on you and give you some more websites that would help you narrow your searches =)

#1. This Mental Health website shows... well just stop being lazy and take a look ... and try to figure out what the word 'mental health' is defined by your country.. Just a reminder, during the conference we shouldn't be discussing what the word means but rather how to solve the problem =)

#2. This Disease website (and this one)... same thing take a look, breathe out, and take in as much information as you can...

If you look at those three sites and explore the different tabs at the top, you will be golden!!

Have a great life and talk to you all next week

-WHO

Using our Brain for Mental Health

Hey G!!! (guys and gals)

I hope you guys are enjoying this AMAZING weather... gotta love snow.. but as much as i would love to continue talking about that, it's not the important thing here...

What is important you may ask?? Well is Justin Bieber really BABY-DADDY... Just kidding LOL...

We actually are writing this blog up to assist you guys with our question of providing mental health services to developing countries... sounds like a piece of cake hey? well we want you guys to stick to your foreign policy for sure (dont forget that as that it VERYYY important)but we also want you to think outside the box... yes most countries require regular medical health services, but mental health is often neglected... We want you to think of the importance of providing mental health and if your country would benefit from such framework..

So to help you, I did some research and found quite a good starting point on the topic... I would like to introduce you guys to the United Nations Website!!

Yes you may think I know this but do some digging around on the website as you will be sure to find alot of GREAT information... such as Press releases, Past resolutions, News articles and so on...

What I have found Focuses more on MENTAL HEALTH...
Look through this site as some important people are mentioned, as well as some reports and some press releases....


NOW SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW!!! Here's how the mental hospital 'helped' homer simpson!!

Now that we know WHO is WHO, how do you get started?

Hey Guys!

Alrighty so now that we've established just how ballin' WHO is, lets actually figure out what you guys get to do!

The first step is doing research! Now I know that may sound scary or intimidating but it really isn't! Treat it as a way in which you can expand your knowledge and be super smart around friends!

So you are probably wondering- Where do I start?!

Well the first place to start is to get an understanding of the topics at hand and start to look into what your country's foreign policy is on the issues.

The first place to go is the UN website itself: http://www.who.int/en/

Here, you can search up topics and see what past press releases and agreements have contained.

The next place you might want to check out is the individual news websites for your country. For example, if you are Canada, you might want to check out cbc.ca and search for relevant articles. These articles will likely contain government actions which will help you better understand your nation's foreign policy on the issue.

If you need any help at all, please feel free to email us at hsmun.who@gmail.com!

PEACE!

Welcome to WHO

WHATTUP GUYS?!

So let's face it, you are now apart of an ELITE group. We call ourselves WHO- Worlds Hottest Olympians. Essentially we champion HSMUN. But let’s be real here, who are we?

My name is Arjun and I am the director for WHO this year. I am a third year science student, studying… (I should really catch up with school). I was a delegate to HSMUN way back in the day, and had a blast! My favorite food is ANYTHING WITH CURRY! (I totally will not favor curry-producing nations in this committee). But yea, I definitely can’t wait till February where I get to meet all my fellow World’s Hottest Olympians! Word.

Ola! I’m Salwa and I am the Chair for WHO this year. I am in my second year and DEFINITELY still undecided. I was a delegate for two years in my chilled back high school year and I was dais last year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Subway and I will totally favor any subway producing nation in this committee =) (Hello USA & Canada) … I’m really excited to meet you all and if you have any questions feel free to email us at hsmun.who@gmail.com. Word.

Hey all! My name is Katarina and I’m the Intervention Attache for WHO this year. I’m in my third year of arts majoring in political science and French. I was a delegate in grade 12 and this is my third year volunteering with HSMUN. My favorite food is HALLOWEEN CANDY!! But my parents ate all of it … I had so much, I went to so many houses … those sneaky moms! If anyone brings me Halloween candy for the conference they can consider themselves immune from scathing letters! WORD.


We’re sexy and we know it!!



WELCOME TO WHO
by: hsmunwho

Here are some last minute research suggestions for those of you in the WHO.
As you know, natural disasters cause a variety of challenges to a nation's health care. I found this paper a concise and clear list of issues. The author draws attention to the impact of the politically charged and emotional climate that is associated with the the time immediately following a natural disaster. Political considerations often get in the way of an effective response to the disaster. You should consider how you might address this issue in working papers.
The author also suggests several cost-effective ways of responding to natural disasters. For instance, the author argues that it is important for a nation dealing with a natural disaster to prepare a list of what they need, as opposed to other nations simply giving "unsolicited donations". These donations can cause a lot of problems, and may not be helpful.
This paper is longer and more technical, but may also be useful. On page 4 there is a list of health priorities after an earthquake - particularly relevant, perhaps, because of the recent earthquake in New Zealand. On page 8, there is a section on "response and rehabilitation" which discusses issues associated with international aid - probably the most relevant section in the paper to the topic that you will be addressing.
Goodluck, and see you tomorrow!

Regulating Alternative Medicines

One method that many nations are beginning to use to ensure the safety and reliability of alternative medicines and therapies is to introduce regulations about the type of education required to administer these therapies and to develop and accredit programs that educate students on the proper administration of alternative medicines. For example, in Australia, there is a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Western Herbal Medicine that is accredited by the government. Australia also has many professional organizations for traditional medicine providers, which are monitored by the government to ensure that professional misconduct does not occur.

What does your nation do to ensure that available alternative medicines are available in a reliable, safe manner, as opposed to the image many have of these therapies being administered by a white-haired old lady in her living room?

The risks of unregulated alternative medical treatments are quite high, as many of the herbal remedies contain toxins which are beneficial in low doses, but very harmful in higher doses. However, it is hard to control the exact amount of toxin in an herb, as opposed to the refined compound that can be obtained with a prescription. Regulation of alternative medical treatments will also ensure that standards regarding the cleanliness of the office and practitioner are in place to prevent the risks of infections.

YAY to WHO? YAY to YOU!!!

Hey you guysss!!! Can't wait to meet you all at HSMUN 2011!!!!!!!

Thanks to all of you who sent in your Position Papers... To you who haven't, then keep sending them in!!

Check this artcle out for a better understanding of what could help.
http://www.msf.ca/en/news-media/news/2011/02/six-months-after-the-floods/

Here is a link to a slideshow of pictures with captions of the aftermath of the flood in Pakistan.
http://www.msf.ca/en/news-media/news/2010/10/photos-distributing-aid-in-pakistan/


And one last thing... If you have any questions feel free to email us at hsmun.who@gmail.com!!

Haiti: An Example of the Need for Preparation for the Unknown Following a Natural Disaster

Source: Haiti Cholera outbreak prompts fresh UN plea. 12/11/2010. BBC News

As many of you have probably heard on the news, Haiti is currently in the middle of a devastating Cholera outbreak.  Caused by a bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, Cholera usually causes mild abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, but can result in severely dehydrating diarrhea in about 5% of cases.  If oral or intravenous re-hydration therapies are not administered immediately, these severe cases can be fatal.

Haiti had previously been considered to be free from Cholera, so it was not expected to be a problem following the earthquake in January 2010; however, ten months after the earthquake, Cholera was present in Haiti.  To date, about 189,000 cases of Cholera were reported and 3600 people have died from the outbreak.  While it is not clear how Cholera was re-introduced to Haiti, it is a possibility that it was as a result of the high quantities of international aid that was provided to the nation following the earthquake.

This outbreak in Haiti highlights the importance of continuing health-care support after the immediate aid for the natural disaster has ended.  Initially, the mortality rates for the outbreak were very high (~6%), but they have dropped as a result of support provided by many international agencies to the Haiti Ministry of Public Health and Population.  The American Center for Disease Control is one of these agencies that has provided support to Haiti.

It is important to remember that while the immediate health effects of a natural disaster (e.g. physical trauma, shock, starvation) are usually treated fairly quickly, the loss of health infrastructure is a longer-term problem.  Nations and international aid agencies need to find an approach to health aid that is able to assist with both the immediate, acute effects, but also able to help the affected nation rebuild their health infrastructure.

WHO Background Papers are Available

The WHO Background Papers are now available:
The Question of Access to Healthcare During and After Natural Disasters
The Question of the Appropriate Use of Traditional and Conventional Medications

Now is also the time to begin the researching and writing for positions papers, as they must be submitted to hsmun.who[at]gmail.com before midnight on February 11th, 2011 to be considered for an award.

Traditional Medicine in Canada

Hello delegates! As I'm sure you already know, those of you in the WHO will be discussing the issue of traditional medicine. As you research the topic, it's important to keep in mind that since you will be writing resolutions, you must start thinking of what your country would like to include in one.

To help you do this, you might want to check out the National Aboriginal Health Organization's paper on Traditional Medicine in Contemporary Contexts. The relationship of culture to traditional medicine seems particularly relevant. It is long, but looking at the table of contents can help you identify the pertinent parts. Although in the WHO you won't be focusing on Aboriginal traditional medicine in Canada, it might help you learn about the practical issues involved, as well give you ideas for resolutions.

WHO gives a better insite?

Hello WHO Delegates!!!

So time to do some research!!!!
Make sure to get a grasp on what this organization does and what it is responsible for and narrow it down by seeing where your country fits in the big picture.
This Link will take you to a list of countries...
http://www.who.int/countries/en/

This video is to give a better insite on the role of WHO, and how it responded to the recent pandemic.


This is a pretty cool video of what we are capable of doing when the world comes together.

Welcome to the World Health Organization

Hello,

My name is Salwa Nsier and I am the dias director for the World Health Organization. I am a first year student currently in the Faculty of Science, and still undecided. I was a delegate during my high school years and had an amazing time. My favourite food is Subway and I spend my free time watching Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl and Hellcats.
Can't wait to meet all of you!!!

Yo!
Your dias chair for this year will be Kristi Meier, me! I am a third year student at the University and am currently studying economics, however I am still undetermined what career I want to pursue. This is my second year volunteering as a staff member for HSMUN and I also participated as a delegate during high school for 2 years. My favorite food is anything spicy, and I spend my free time listening to BBC Radio 1 sets, watching documentary films, and going to wine tastings. Looking forward to this year's HSMUN!

Hi! I'm Elana, your intervention attache. I'm a second year student, studying math and philosophy. I was a delegate for two years and this is my second year volunteering. I am passionate about chocolate, and I spend my free time unicycling and reading books.

Some helpful links are the following:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs134/en/
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.who.int/topics/disasters/en/