Intro: Welcome to Ask A Scientist. I’m Taneisha Nicole and today I’m talking with Dr. Makeda Williams from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH about the importance of global health. 

TN: Dr. Williams, why are you so passionate about global health? 

MW: I am a first generation American. And so I think about the type of things that I am able to influence, lead, collaborate on that impact health worldwide. 

TN: Can you give us an example? 

MW: Maternal health is a great example. In the United States there are issues such as maternal hemorrhage, preeclampsia, sickle cell disease. All of which impact Black women and women from underrepresented populations. 

TN: What have we learned from other global communities? 

MW: Having community engagement, taking a look at the health care delivery system and making sure that women are informed and educated about these health issues can lead to a pathway for optimal health outcomes. 

Outro: For more on global health, visit nhlbi.nih.gov.