Communicating human HEALTH

My experience in global healthcare and public health colors my perspective of life at times and reminds me to not take my life for granted, at times. The photograph accompanying this post was captured by Kevin Carter, a South African photojournalist. The visuals tell a tale of famine in Sudan, prior to the conflict and division of the nation. The tale is complex; poverty in a climate that is detrimental to human existence yields low survival potential. Simplistically, a child is brought to his knees by the famine within a country while a vulture waits in prey for an unfortunate circumstance. The photograph dominates the headlines and media gaining much philanthropic attention for a country in crisis. Months later, the photographer wins a Pulitzer and later takes his own life.  

Source: https://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/vulture-stalking-a-child/

How do we communicate the importance of public health and global health? One could employ sound methodologies or frameworks to ensure that the communication of health promotion or protection is evidence based. At times we utilize visuals to communicate the urgency of a health issue. Advocating for vulnerable populations and worthy causes will definitely earn you a gold star, but what will the message eventually become? Is it a story that we will never speak of because of the negative connotation associated with it? Or will it be a story of human resilience that will echo across our communities. As an advocate of health equity, I believe that it is important to convey messages and human reality as it is. However, I believe it is of utmost importance to consider your audience and what message they will receive...

When you see this picture, how do you feel? As a public health or global health professional how would you communicate this situation or crisis differently? Or would you leave such a communication as it is... Why..?