About LAGHC 2024

Global Health in a Changing World

The Los Angeles Global Health Conference (LAGHC)–Global Health in a Changing World–will be held in-person on April 20th, 2024. The event will run from 9 am to 4 pm PST and include a keynote speaker, panel of global health experts, and opportunities for networking.

Mission Statement: As our planet undergoes transformative changes in technology, climate, culture, and society, the landscape of healthcare is being fundamentally reshaped. At the Los Angeles Global Health Conference, we are dedicated to exploring and addressing these shifts to advance the standard of care for all patients worldwide. Our mission is to facilitate dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in global health, guided by principles of sustainability, holism, and cultural competence.

The emphasis of the conference will be:

  1. Advancements in Biomedical Research and Technology: Breakthroughs in biomedical research and technology, exemplified by milestones such as the development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems, are propelling medicine into uncharted territories. We emphasize the importance of embracing these innovations to enhance patient care and outcomes globally.

  2. Impact of Global Climate Change on Health: The repercussions of global climate change are amplifying the prevalence of diverse health conditions, including heat-related illnesses, zoonotic diseases, and chronic conditions exacerbated by environmental shifts. Our emphasis lies in understanding and mitigating these health impacts through adaptive strategies and sustainable practices.

  3. Interplay Between Society and Medicine: The intricate connection between society and medicine becomes apparent when considering traditional healing practices and cultural competence within the realm of global health. We emphasize the importance of recognizing diverse perspectives on healthcare to refine existing models and practices, ensuring equitable access and quality care for all.

  4. Commitment to Sustainability and Holism: Global health must embrace principles of sustainability and holism to address the complex challenges facing healthcare systems worldwide. We emphasize the need for comprehensive approaches that consider environmental, social, and cultural factors to improve patient outcomes and promote well-being on a global scale.

The speakers included in this year’s conference can be found on the speaker page. For more information, updates, and registration information, please follow us on social media.

What is LAGHC?

The LAGHC is an annual global health conference hosted in Southern California. Each year, LAGHC is organized by​ students from medicine, public health, and other disciplines from universities all over the region, including UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Fielding School of Public Health, Undergraduate Departments, and USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health among others. The conference aims to educate and connect with members of the Los Angeles communities about the varying health disparities both in our backyards and around the world. Home to individuals from more than 140 countries speaking 224 different languages, Los Angeles' rich cultural diversity makes it an ideal place to examine the current status of world health. It is our vision that the Los Angeles Global Health Conference become a space to discuss innovative ways to tackle health disparities—locally and globally.

In 2020, over 400 individuals from 25+ institutions across Los Angeles and the Southern California community attended LAGHC. These institutions included UCLA, USC, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Loma Linda University, Charles Drew University, several community colleges, and various private and nonprofit institutions.  For information on last year’s program, please feel free to explore our website.