Born on a dairy farm in West Sussex, Dr. Wendy Harrison has been around animals and agriculture her entire life. In fact, she stated her desire to be a vet at the ripe old age of six.
While doing post-doc research and study at the University of Georgia, Dr. Harrison took a volunteer position at the non-profit Heifer International. She describes having a "Eureka moment" during this time, when she fully realized the linkage between animals and humans and how the health of all are "woven together."
One key part of her research has been in the attempt to end schistosomiasis, a waterborne parasite that can cause organ failure and cancer in its host. Because so many diseases such as this occur in neglected areas among marginalized populations, the diseases — and their victims — have been largely ignored by Western society.
To help combat parasitic diseases, Dr. Harrison joined up with the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) in 2009. She became CEO of Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation) in 2019.
In this interview, Charlie Bresler hosts Dr. Harrison and Matias Nestore, Senior Associate in Research and Evaluation at The Life You Can Save, in a conversation about tropical diseases, mass treatment and prevention interventions, and how health systems can be strengthened through collaboration.
To support Unlimit Health's work, you can donate via The Life You Can Save website or directly at unlimithealth.org.
Links:
Heifer International - www.heifer.org
Unlimit Health Ending Parasitic Diseases Together - Strategy 2023-2028
A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030 from World Health Organization
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