Needs Statement

The Foundations in Global Health Lecture Series is designed to address well-documented educational needs across three domains: knowledge, competence, and performance. At the knowledge level, learners at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital require deeper understanding of foundational global health topics, including ethics, health equity, and the global burden of disease. These gaps stem from fragmented and inconsistent educational offerings. At the competence level, learners need to strengthen their ability to apply global health principles in real-world contexts, particularly in designing capacity-strengthening interventions, analyzing disease patterns, and communicating effectively across cultures. At the performance level, the series aims to support the implementation of ethical, equitable, and culturally competent practices in global settings. These needs are addressed through the STAR (Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources) global health competency framework, which links structured learning and mentorship to real-world applications. By incorporating local partner perspectives and emphasizing milestone-based development, the series fosters a more knowledgeable, capable, and impactful global health workforce.