Dr. Alyssa Sharkey P’25 spoke to students in the Applied Science and Global Studies Certificate Programs on Friday, January 27. She is currently a lecturer at the School of Policy and International Affairs at Princeton University, as well as a consultant for UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Dr. Sharkey gave a presentation titled “Global Health Challenges and Strategies,” in which she discussed maternal and child health around the world and the obstacles to improving conditions, including limited transportation, lack of healthcare workers, security, and women’s rights. In discussing the different causes of global infant mortality, she drew attention to the many preventable diseases that are still having an impact in areas with fewer healthcare resources.

She shared photographs from around the world, some from her own travels, of the facilities available to those working in disadvantaged areas, and discussed the progress that has been made over the last few years, including a drop in child mortality and rise in life expectancy. Dr. Sharkey also took questions from the students, speaking more at length about how gender inequality affects healthcare challenges and how the organizations she consults advocate for different health priorities around the world.

We are grateful to Dr. Sharkey for taking the time to share her important work with our community!