Carter’s Legacy in India and AI Integration in Global Health

Editor's Note

On Thursday, thousands of Americans attended President Jimmy Carter's state funeral. As part of the procession, many paid tribute to the former president's incredible legacy as a leader and philanthropist. To kick off this week, CFR Senior Fellow Prashant Yadav recounts how he first learned of Carter as a student in India after passing Carterpuri, a small village named after the president, on his route to school. Yadav describes the naming of the village and Carter's connection to India as "a reminder of the value of global and bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and the pursuit of health equity."

Staying in India, journalist Diwash Gahatraj details the aftermath of last year's glacial floods in Sikkim in the Himalayas. He notes that one year later, many of the victims are suffering from mental health disorders, such as anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Gahatraj urges India's government to allocate more resources to mental health care, especially as climate change causes more extreme weather events.

Next, TGH Staff Editor Allison Krugman recaps a recent conversation between Atul Gawande, assistant administrator for global health at USAID, and Thomas J. Bollyky, CFR's Bloomberg chair in global health. The two reflect on global health's achievements and future opportunities, including integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into existing programs.

To wrap up the issue, CGIAR's Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted and Ben Wismen explain how nutrient-rich small fish could help resolve global malnutrition and provide new avenues for women in low- or middle-income countries to earn an income.

Until next week! —Caroline Kantis, Associate Editor