GLOBAL HEALTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Resource Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of global health-related issues and of U.S. leadership to create a healthier world.
SMITHSONIAN OUTBREAK DIY EXHIBIT AT AMERICAN SPACES
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has created a do-it-yourself (DIY) exhibit called Outbreak. It shows how diseases travel and how people around the world track down and respond to outbreaks. This colorful and interactive exhibit can be easily printed anywhere. It contains 16 pre-designed panels with two customizable templates, along with audio and visual content and a resource guide. Here is how to get this exhibit at your American Space.
PROGRAMMING ON GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES
Global health covers a range of health-related issues, including disease outbreaks, nutrition, and environmental health. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), consider conducting health related programming at your Space in coordination with your U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can also program on specific topics around these dates: World Health Days.
The United States is a leader in promoting global health, delivering medical assistance and expertise, and conducting research to address health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website www.cdc.gov is the official online source for credible health information. In a rapidly evolving situation like the Coronavirus outbreak, misinformation and fake news can take hold. Here’s a guide on how to increase resiliency to disinformation: Media Literacy and Countering Disinformation Resource Toolkit
RESOURCES
Hand Washing Posters
Here are posters that you can hang at your American Spaces.
Health Related Posters
American Spaces Collections
Curated by the Office of American Spaces, eShop collections include a selection of products, such as books, games, graphics, etc, on thematic topics.
American Spaces Collections
COVID-19 Information
- CDC Page on COVID-19 information
- ShareAmerica Articles on COVID-19 Symptoms and Tips
- ShareAmerica Health Articles
- Medline Health Information https://medlineplus.gov/
Air Quality Toolkit
Recommended Kanopy Films
(can be accessed through eLibrary and screened at American Spaces) http://bit.ly/eLbryKnpy
- Spillover
- Disease Warriors
- Vaccines Calling the Shots
Games
- PBS.org and NIH have good online games that teach about health.
- Pandemic board game is also an educational tool to teach global health.
ACTIVITIES AND LESSON PLANS
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
This series of educational STEAM activities are designed to help students learn and practice skills, like tomorrow’s disease detectives, that they can also apply to their daily life.
This series of lesson plans covers a variety of topics including infectious diseases, environmental health, chronic diseases, HIV, and the personal safety lesson plan (ages 10 – 13).
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
This site has lesson plans, games, and activities geared for teachers and students. (STEM Teaching Resources)
Diplomacy Simulation
The National Museum for American Diplomacy has created a simulation of an HIV/AIDS epidemic in a fictional country.
Films
Erin Brockovich*: 2hr 11min – Portrays the true story of Erin Brockovich, a woman who fought a large energy corporation for polluting the town’s water supply. Can be used as to discuss pollution, water safety, and disease. Erin Brockovich Movie
Philadelphia*: 2hr 5min – When a man with HIV is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires a small-time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Can be used as a platform to discuss HIV/AIDS. Philadelphia
*Post will need to procure this film. The Office of American Spaces does not endorse all movies as they may not be appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should screen the films ahead of showing them. Here’s a link with more information on showing movies at American Spaces.
The views expressed in these resources do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. government. Most text in this toolkit was generated by AI. All images were generated by AI.
Updated May 2024
