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NOTE: This article was originally written by Greg Seager, Founder and CEO, Christian Health Service Corps. Some updates have been made since.  A missions agency is a sending organization that helps prepare, place, and care for missionaries so they can serve faithfully and effectively over time. Choosing among missionary agencies is not a paperwork decision; it shapes your training, your support, your team life, and the care you will receive when the work gets heavy. I am writing because most healthcare professionals wanting to serve in long-term missions are asking the wrong questions. Experience has shown that asking the wrong questions can lead to unnecessary failure on the mission field. The questions below are meant to be asked before selecting among missionary agencies through which to serve as a long-term medical missionary. I posed a list of questions in my book, When Healthcare Hurts that seemed a bit sacrilegious at the time. Those questions helped shift the medical missions culture toward patient safety and showed greater respect for human dignity. The questions shared here may also stretch some serving in, and leading, long-term mission organizations. It is my prayer that this series of posts, and the book to follow, will have the same effect in long-term healthcare missions. The list is broken down into a few categories of questions. First, what questions should a healthcare professional planning to serve in missions ask potential missionary agencies? Second, what questions should a healthcare professional planning to serve in missions ask about being matched with a facility or health program? Third, what questions should a healthcare professional planning to serve in missions ask themselves to help them be successful on the field? This focuses on the first category. Subsequent posts will focus on categories two and three.   Key Takeaways Medical missions place unique emotional, clinical, and spiritual burdens on healthcare professionals that differ significantly from other forms of missionary service. Attrition among medical missionaries is often driven by unaddressed realities such as isolation, overwhelming workloads, and repeated exposure to death and trauma. Medical missionaries carry an internal weight shaped by constant life-and-death decisions, resource scarcity, and questions of clinical preparedness. Effective care for medical missionaries must resemble disaster-response support rather than traditional missionary member care models. Choosing among missions agencies requires asking hard questions about preparation, accountability, mentorship, and long-term support to protect both patients and missionaries.   Medical Missions Is Different One thing was always clear: sending a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to serve in a mission hospital, or even a community health program, looks very different than sending a pastor. Many mission organizations miss this point, and it has contributed to significant attrition in medical missions. When medical missionaries are lumped in with church planters, Bible college teachers, and Bible translators, it becomes harder to see the distinct pressures that drive healthcare professionals to leave the field. I spend a great deal of time traveling to see medical missionaries serving across many cultures. I have interviewed hundreds of medical missionaries over the years, and some of these conversations are shared on MedicalMissionsTV. These stories carry a consistent theme: long-term medical missions expose people to a weight that cannot be managed by good intentions alone. Not long ago, I interviewed a single female physician who left the field after two years. Because she was the lone single person on the mission station, she carried a much greater load. Since she did not have a family to go home to and set boundaries around, she was expected to do more calls and work longer hours. That eventually led to her departure from the field. I also spoke with a pediatrician who left after one year because he could not cope with the vast amount of child death he saw while serving in a rural African bush hospital. He lost 150 children in his first year. That is not a typical missionary set of problems, and it changes how to choose a missions agency. Medical professionals share many challenges with other missionaries: language acquisition, moving your family to another culture, working within an intercultural team, and educating children, to name a few. Yet they also face daily life-and-death decisions. The classic reason missionaries leave the field—not getting along with other missionaries—still exists in medical missions, but it is far less traumatic than many reasons medical missionaries come home. Many medical missionary challenges cause post-traumatic stress and lifelong wounds.   The Challenge of the Internal Voice Medical missionaries must manage an internal voice that asks questions most non-healthcare professionals have never heard. It is the voice that asks questions many have been forced to ask in their careers. If I would have done something different, would that child have survived? Did I make a mistake? Is there something I should have learned before I came to the field that could have saved this child? How can I practice here? I never cared for a young mom with postpartum hemorrhage and no blood available. I never treated a child so malnourished they cannot stand, walk, or eat. Where do I start? Experience has taught me that caring for a medical missionary should look more like caring for an aid worker in a disaster zone than caring for a typical missionary. Mission organizations must understand this both conceptually and in member care practice.  These daily questions are inevitable in the first few years on the field, and they add immense stress to already stressful life circumstances. Combine that with the volume of child and maternal death, being forced to work without needed medications, supplies, blood, and equipment, and walking families through the death of a child or loved one, often daily. These are unique challenges for medical missionaries.   How to Choose a Missions Agency for Healthcare Missions With that reality in view, the questions below were created. They are not meant to be cynical. They are meant to protect patients, strengthen missionaries, and help missionary agencies build healthier pathways for long-term service. For some, the best place to start is clarifying the shape of a call and the practical next step. Discerning direction matters, and signs that God is calling you to ministry can help frame discernment without reducing it to a feeling. For others, it helps to zoom out and understand the pathway of preparation that often sits behind successful long-term service, including how to become a missionary.   Questions to Ask Missionary Agencies Does the organization recognize and understand the unique challenges of healthcare missions? Does the organization’s pre-field preparation include sections that are specific to healthcare missions? If so how much preparation is dedicated specifically to healthcare missions? Does the organization view healthcare as a ministry itself, or do they view it as a platform for evangelism? Does the organization view healthcare and healing ministries as part of the mission of the church? Is there spiritual and clinical mentorship available, promoted and or required? Does the organization have a missionary/member care program that focuses on and addresses the unique needs of healthcare professionals and their families? Does the organization ascribe to the International Global Connections in Member Care? What is the work schedule expected, and what are the leave and furlough policies? Are they structured to support healthcare professionals? Are visitors permitted in the first term of service? Is the organization familiar with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for clinical practice in resource-poor communities? Does the organization know about, and promote their missionaries' learning, programs such as Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Integrated Management of Childhood Malnutrition (IMCM), Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth (IMCPC)? Will the organization provide logistical support for healthcare ministry work? I.E. Medical equipment, supplies, volunteer staff relief, grant requests made to support medical work etc.? These questions do more than screen for competence. They reveal whether a missions agency can shoulder the responsibility of sending clinicians into environments where the margin for error is thin and the emotional cost is high. That is the heart of evaluating missionary agencies with honesty.   Exploring Next Steps in Long-Term Service When you are ready to move from exploration to action, a helpful step is to compare long-term opportunities that align with your training, convictions, and season of life. Explore options for long-term service and use the questions above as your filter while engaging missionary agencies.   Related Questions   What is a mission agency? A mission agency is an organization that trains, sends, and supports missionaries for ongoing cross-cultural ministry.   How do I choose a reputable mission org? Choose reputable missionary agencies by looking for clear governance, strong preparation, transparent policies, and proven member care.   What is the average salary of a missionary? Missionary compensation varies widely, but many missionaries rely on support-based funding rather than a fixed salary.   How much does a mission trip typically cost? Costs vary by location, length, and logistics, but travel, lodging, insurance, and in-country expenses often make the total significant.  

Article by Greg Seager, Founder and CEO of Christian Health Service Corp  Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is an integrated approach to child health care, which is needed because children that present for care in developing communities rarely do so with only one condition. There are frequently multiple issues when a child presents for care with malnutrition often being an underlying issue. When implemented, IMCI can and does reduce early childhood morbidity and mortality. It also improves growth and development among children under five years of age. IMCI is both preventive and curative and is implemented by families and communities as well as by health workers. The strategy includes three main components: • Improving case management skills of health-care staff • Improving overall health systems • Improving family and community health practices In the missions world, we often use Community Health Evangelism (CHE) as the community level of IMCI. The training portion of the IMCI strategy for health workers teaches appropriate case management skills for the identification management of sick children. IMCI works at the rural health outpost level, outpatient clinic level, and inpatient level, using a combined set of protocols and charting system that ensures appropriate integrated treatment of all major illnesses. It also strengthens the counseling abilities of caretakers and speeds up a referral to higher levels of care for severely ill children. In the home setting, it promotes improved care-seeking behaviors, improved nutrition, preventative care for children, and the correct implementation of prescribed care. In short, IMCI is a MUST LEARN set of protocols for those planning to provide care in developing countries. You can download a copy of the IMCI Chart Booklet and Protocols here You can acquire the entire IMCI training Program on our Clinical Resources Page. Similar articles can be found on the CHSC Blog www.MedicalMissions101.com and check our Youtube Channel www.MedicalMissions.TV   See some of the case management videos here:            

Hospital protocol policies on human trafficking give clinicians a clear, safe path for recognizing trafficking and responding well in the moment. When a patient may be under someone else’s control, improvisation can create risk for the patient, the team, and the facility. With the right hospital protocol policies for human trafficking, your staff can move from uncertainty to confident, coordinated action. Strong trafficking protocols also help you protect documentation, follow reporting requirements, and connect patients with the right partners.   Key Takeaways Healthcare professionals often recognize possible trafficking in clinical encounters but feel unprepared when hospital protocol policies for human trafficking are unclear or absent. You do not need to confirm trafficking at the bedside; noticing patterns of control, fear, and inconsistent history should activate established trafficking protocols. Clear hospital protocol policies for human trafficking replace guesswork with coordinated action, guiding screening, documentation, referrals, and communication. Effective trafficking protocols protect both patients and staff by addressing safety risks, reducing escalation, and standardizing responses under pressure. Moving a facility from awareness to readiness starts with committed leadership, local partnerships, and clinicians willing to champion practical protocol development.   A Familiar Clinical Moment Imagine you are staffing the urgent care clinic at your hospital when you encounter a 19-year-old foreign national woman brought in by a family member because of a possible fractured arm. Radiologic studies show a spiral fracture of the radius, raising the suspicion of abuse as the cause of the fracture. As you continue your evaluation, you notice she appears cautious and, at times, fearful of this family member. At first, you consider domestic violence. Then you remember a lecture on human trafficking from months ago. You try to recall the indicators of trafficking and what you are supposed to do if trafficking is suspected. You wonder if you should separate the family member from the patient and whether there is any danger to you and your staff. What if the family member refuses to leave? The more you think about it, the more you realize you are not prepared to deal with the problem before you. You feel helpless and frustrated. As more healthcare professionals learn about trafficking, they increasingly recognize patients who might qualify as victims. Too often, they do so in settings that lack preparation. That gap feeds the same frustration and helplessness.   What to Look for When Trafficking Is Possible You do not need to prove trafficking in the exam room. You need to notice when the situation does not fit and when a patient may not be free to speak or choose. In clinical settings, several patterns often raise concern, especially when they appear together: The accompanying person answers for the patient, controls the conversation, or refuses to leave. The history shifts, does not match the injury pattern, or feels rehearsed. The patient seems unusually fearful, watchful, or anxious about consequences. The patient lacks control of identification, money, transportation, or a phone. These are not diagnostic. Still, they are the kinds of signals and problems that undergird human trafficking and should activate trafficking protocols so you can proceed safely and consistently.   Why Hospital Protocol Policies for Human Trafficking Matter The answer is not a heroic clinician with the perfect words. The answer is a response protocol designed specifically for possible trafficking victims. Hospitals and large clinics should build specialized hospital protocol policies for human trafficking just as they already prepare protocols for domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. When you have clear policies in place, your team can respond quickly without guessing under pressure. Well-designed trafficking protocols help you: Create a consistent plan for patient separation and private screening. Clarify who leads the response in your facility and who gets notified. Document appropriately and preserve information that may matter later. Connect patients to services without increasing danger. Reduce moral distress in staff by giving them a plan they can trust. A practical starting point for building hospital protocol policies on human trafficking is the HEAL Trafficking protocol toolkit.   Staff Safety Is Part of Good Care Healthcare teams sometimes hesitate to act because they worry about escalation. That concern is valid. Trafficking involves control, coercion, and, at times, associated criminal activity. It can also involve real danger to victims and their families. Strong hospital protocol policies on human trafficking should address safety for everyone in the room, not just the patient. That includes clear guidance on when to involve security, where to move the patient for privacy, and what to do if a controlling companion refuses to leave. It also helps to pre-plan communication. When every clinician uses a different approach, you can inadvertently tip off a trafficker or increase pressure on the patient. Trafficking protocols keep messaging consistent and reduce improvisation.   Building a Response That Works in Your City Safely navigating the hazards and complexities of trafficking requires preparation and consultation with experts in your location. Those partners often include: Law enforcement officials who focus on the crime of human trafficking. Child protective agencies that understand child sex trafficking. Homeland Security officials who can assist foreign national victims. Local nonprofits that address the varied nonmedical needs of trafficking survivors. These relationships matter because the “right next step” can change based on the patient’s age, citizenship status, immediate safety needs, and the level of control at home or work. If you want to strengthen your clinical approach and understand the realities survivors face, spend time working with human trafficking victims to understand their needs and experiences.    Be the Person Who Moves Your Facility From Awareness to Readiness Perhaps you can be the champion in your facility who initiates and supports the development of specialized hospital protocol policies on human trafficking. That work can start small: a meeting with leadership, a review of existing policies, a call to local partners, and a draft response pathway. Over time, those steps can build trafficking protocols that let clinicians move from frustration to purposeful care. When staff know what to do, they can focus on what matters most: safety, dignity, and wise coordination. If you're passionate about healthcare missions and want to serve in areas of extreme poverty and need, a short-term mission trip is a good place to start.   Related Questions   How do you respond to human trafficking? Use trauma-informed care, separate the patient for a private conversation when safe, and follow established trafficking protocols for documentation and referrals.   How do you support victims of trafficking? Support starts with safety and choice, then continues through coordinated medical care and connection to trusted local resources.   Is there a hand signal for human trafficking? A widely shared “Signal for Help” exists, but it is not trafficking-specific and should prompt a careful, private safety check.   What are the needs of trafficking victims? Trafficking victims often need immediate safety planning, medical care, psychological support, legal guidance, and stable housing and employment pathways.  

Today we want to highlight a great resource from our annual conference - the audio version of the breakout sessions that are offered each year. These breakout sessions are FREE to members of MedicalMissions.com, and we hope you take advantage of going back and re-listening to your favorite sessions or catching some of the sessions that you missed. The highlighted session for today deals with resilience. Drawing principles from psychological research and Christian scriptures, this workshop will explore factors of resilience for those working in high risk, high stress cross-cultural work. Listeners will discover what enhances resilience and what contributes to decreased coping. The workshop will introduce practical resources for responding to stress and trauma with resilience, grace, and perseverance. We hope you enjoy this session! https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2018/sessions/how-medical-missionaries-can-be-resilient-in-the-midst-of-trauma-and-stress-2  

During the course of the past week, we have witnessed true devastation in the Bahamas due to the destruction of Hurricane Dorian. With sustained wind speeds of 185 miles per hour, Dorian is one of the worst storms in history. At least 43 people have been killed, but officials are warning that hundreds more are still missing. The United Nations believes at least 70,000 people are homeless on Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. All of this devastation is why Samaritan's Purse jumped into immediate action: "Samaritan's Purse has airlifted our Emergency Field Hospital and a medical team to the Bahamas, at the request of the World Health Organization and the Bahamas government. The 40-bed mobile facility can receive up to 100 patients daily and features an operating room with capacity for 10 surgeries per day, as well as an obstetrics ward with delivery room" (Hurricane Dorian Relief, samaritanspurse.org). Prior to deploying the Field Hospital, Samaritan's Purse had already sent 30 tons of emergency items and over a dozen disaster relief team specialists.  Many of you are wondering how you can be involved as a health care provider. Samaritan's Purse trains people just like you for times such as this. If you are interested in becoming part of their disaster relief team, learn more about their Disaster Assistance Response Teams.  You can also donate to the work that Samaritan's Purse is doing: Donate to Hurricane Dorian Relief Here at MedicalMissions.com, we always want you to have the resources you need to engage in wherever you feel that God is calling you. You might want to check out this breakout session, which was led by Dr. Elliott Tenpenny of Samaritan's Purse on The Biblical Call to Emergency Response.  If you are a nurse, this is a helpful article outlining ways for you to actively engage in relief efforts: Nurse Volunteers Kelly Sites, of Samaritan's Purse, also presented a breakout session about Nursing in Disaster Response Efforts Laura Smelter, Director of Training at Christian Health Service Corps presented a breakout session on Responding Well: Knowing and Applying International Principles and Standards in Disaster and Refugee Response We hope that this email will be a reminder to you of the gifts that God has given you and the many ways that you can use them. Our partner, Samaritan's Purse will be presenting their work at this year's GMHC, so we do hope to see you in November! GMHC 2019 Register Here

Medical missions is hard.  One could say that, if it isn’t hard, it isn’t medical missions.  As Christians, we are indisputably called to walk into the dark places of God’s creation and proclaim his glory and his love.  Our hands get dirty, and our hearts get beat up. A few months ago, at my hospital in Burundi, things were especially difficult.  Electricity was out.  The hematology machine was broken, as was the x-ray.  I had a slew of patients who didn’t necessarily seem incurable at their arrival, but despite all our efforts, they continued to worsen.  That's a particular challenge, since it feels like their being in the hospital is associated with them getting worse, instead of better.  With death, instead of life.  Every day I did rounds with a very green group of Burundian medical students, who had never been this entwined with caring for people this sick before. How do we bring hope?  For that matter, where is the hope?  How do I encourage my students to endure?  How do I beat off my own cynicism?  To avoid a premature resolution of this tension, let me be clear:  We believe in the free, eternal grace of God through Jesus.  We believe in eternal life, and we work to integrate evangelism into all that we do at our hospital.  However, neither my head nor my heart accepts that this annuls the awfulness of a young person dying of a preventable disease.  No one knows this better than Jesus, weeping at the tomb of his friend. Over the last several years, I have discussed these questions many times, with students or with visiting doctors, and each time I'm of course talking to myself as well.  There are as many answers as there are challenges, but I’ll share three things that have been an encouragement to me. First, if I want to be here when I can help, I also have to be here when I can't.  Every time my patient unexpectedly dies, or the test comes back positive for the non-treatable possibility, or my last therapeutic option just isn't working, part of me wants to abandon ship, to run away from all that I can't do.  I know that won't help my patients, but I guess I want to pretend that such situations don't exist, at least not in such a common and stark form. We can't know ahead of time whom we can help.  Sometimes we can make a great medical impact.  Other times, we can't.  The two are inextricably linked.  Part of what we love in medical missions is the chance to dramatically alter someone's life for the better.  Yet there is another side to that coin, because the magnitude and frequency of the tragedies go up, in a seemingly proportional manner.  This must be endured, but not just endured.  We have a calling here as well, for this is another place where we have to learn to trust God and find some way to bless and comfort these patients with the blessings and comfort that God has given us (2 Cor 1:3-4). Second, as Paul writes: Fight the good fight (1 Tim 6:12).  It feels like a fight.  It is a fight.  But it's a good fight.  So, let's keep fighting it. Third, though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16).  This is just as incredibly true for me as it is for my patients.  For though we are missionaries with a message to proclaim, part of our target audience is ourselves.  Part of where the kingdom needs to come is inside our own hearts.  So this hard road is God’s road of sanctification for us.  Thus, the doctor is the patient, and we all alike need the hope of the gospel that proclaims that suffering will be redeemed, that all things will be made new, and that our God is the God who, out of death, brings resurrection and eternal life.

"Am I 'called' to missions?" "How do I know if I'm called to missions and how can I be sure?" Every Christian considering serving in missions in any capacity has asked those questions, but what are the answers? In this session we will back up and ask a more basic question - "What do we mean by a "call?" The answer lies in comparing out ideas of "calling" with the Bible's teaching about how and why God guides his people. We’re taking some time to highlight some of the great resources that are available here at MedicalMissions.com. Today we wanted to point you to a breakout session from last year’s Global Missions Health Conference. This topic is always a popular one – Finding God’s Call for Your Life. In fact, it drives all that we do here at MedicalMissions.com! We hope you enjoy taking some time to listen to this session – you can also find these resources on the MedicalMissions.com Podcast. https://www.medicalmissions.com/resources/11519/gods-guidance-and-the-missionary-call

Systemic poverty often plagues the places where global health professionals serve, and grappling with this reality can feel overwhelming. Many people ask how to help the poor in ways that lead to lasting change rather than short-term relief. One of the most effective tools in these settings is community health education, which has the potential to improve both well-being and human dignity over time. The need for community health education in developing countries cannot be overstated. In many communities, pediatric and infant mortality, maternal mortality, and the spread of HIV/AIDS remain alarmingly high. Research consistently shows that health education interventions address many of the root causes of child mortality.  For example, improved breastfeeding practices alone could save an estimated 800,000 lives each year. When done well, community health education becomes a practical answer to the question of how to help the poor without reinforcing dependency.   Key Takeaways Short-term health education efforts often fall short when they lack cultural understanding and relational depth, risking harm rather than meaningful impact. Sustainable ways to help the poor begin with humility, listening, and asset-based approaches that empower local communities, such as Community Health Evangelism. Poverty is not only material but deeply connected to broken identity, relationships, and purpose, requiring responses that restore dignity and hope. Community health education is most effective when it affirms people as image-bearers of God and builds on existing strengths rather than reinforcing dependency. Long-term transformation happens when education starts locally and early, equipping families and children while respecting local leadership and capacity.   The Limits of Short-Term Health Education Health education is often an area where short-term medical teams struggle. Volunteers frequently deliver education through translators and without sufficient cultural or worldview understanding. As a result, well-intended efforts can miss the mark or even cause harm. Without learning the local culture or building relationships, outsiders attempting community health education may unintentionally reinforce power imbalances. Teaching without understanding can undermine dignity rather than strengthen it. This is why it is unwise for outsiders to train local people without first listening, learning, and walking alongside them. Sustainable approaches to helping the poor must start with humility. One model that has proven effective is Community Health Evangelism (CHE). CHE approaches poverty from an asset-based rather than needs-based perspective, emphasizing local capacity and ownership. This model aligns closely with best practices in community health education because it empowers communities instead of positioning them as passive recipients.   Seeing Poverty in a Different Light Cross-cultural health education presents deeper challenges than logistics alone. Many development practitioners describe what they call the “god-complex dilemma,” where outsiders—often unconsciously—view themselves as saviors rather than partners. Jai Sarma, a longtime community development practitioner and former leader at World Vision International, describes how Westerners are often perceived by those living in poverty. He emphasizes that poverty is not only material but also a manifestation of damaged identity and self-worth. When this reality is ignored, even well-designed community health education efforts can unintentionally deepen feelings of shame or inferiority. Dr. Jayakumar Christian expands on this idea in his book God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God. He describes poverty as involving a poverty of being (broken identity), relationships (systems that reinforce entrapment), and purpose (loss of vision and vocation). His work reframes how to help the poor by calling for responses that restore identity, agency, and hope—not just resources.   How Do We Support Human Dignity? Scripture speaks clearly about caring for those who are vulnerable, but serving well requires more than good intentions. The Bible consistently reminds us that the poor are not defined by lack, but by their identity as image-bearers of God.  Supporting human dignity begins with intentional study of poverty—its roots, worldviews, and belief systems. Too often, efforts to help meet physical needs unintentionally reinforce limiting beliefs, portraying the poor as helpless victims rather than capable stewards of God’s resources. Effective community health education resists this narrative by building on existing strengths. The goal of healthcare missions is not only to treat illness but to inspire growth, agency, and responsibility. During my time serving with Mercy Ships, I participated in a leadership initiative to reshape program foundations around dignity-centered development. Much of that work was informed by Bryant Myers’ Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, which remains foundational for asset-based approaches to how to help the poor in healthcare missions.   Education That Starts Early and Locally Health education becomes even more powerful when it starts early and is rooted in local contexts. Teaching children basic health concepts—such as hygiene, sanitation, and disease prevention—can dramatically reduce long-term health risks.  Children are often among the most vulnerable in impoverished communities, including orphans and those without stable family systems. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s heart for orphans, reminding us that helping the poor includes protecting and nurturing those without advocates. When health education strengthens families, equips children, and respects local leadership, it contributes to long-term transformation rather than temporary relief.   Conclusion Understanding how to help the poor requires more than medical skill or compassion—it requires humility, cultural awareness, and a commitment to dignity. Community health education, when grounded in an asset-based approach, allows communities to build on their God-given capacity rather than depend on outside solutions. Whether serving through short-term teams or long-term development efforts, healthcare missionaries are called to walk with people, not ahead of them. When relief and development begin with respect for local capacity, community health education becomes a powerful pathway toward restoration, resilience, and hope.   Related Questions   What does God say about taking care of the poor? Psalm 82:3 calls God’s people to actively defend the weak and uphold the cause of the poor, emphasizing justice, protection, and responsibility rather than passive concern.   How can you help the poor without money? You can help the poor without money by offering time, skills, education, advocacy, and relational presence that affirm dignity and strengthen long-term capacity.   What are the root causes of poverty? Poverty is rooted not only in material scarcity but also in broken relationships, unjust systems, damaged identity, and a loss of purpose and hope for the future.   How does the Bible say to help the poor? 1 John 3:18 reminds believers that love must be expressed through action, calling for practical, embodied care that moves beyond words to meaningful service.  

Understanding the statistical foundations of epidemiology can lead to a better knowledge of research and implementation of new practices. This interactive session will look at issues that stem from the emphasis on positive “p-value” and the need for confidence intervals. Also reviewed will be some of the statistical fundamentals in epidemiology, including but not limited to: sensitivity, specificity, odds, risk, and bias.

Long term mission in Uganda: Helping Heal Widespread Addiction In its urban populations, Uganda has one of the highest per capita rates of drug and alcohol addiction in the entire sub-Saharan region. Since it is difficult to determine the prevalence of addiction in far-flung rural areas, there are only estimates about how high the country's actual rate may be.   Adding to the problem is some societal beliefs in Uganda and other places. Some people do not consider alcohol consumption to be a problem or a disorder that requires treatment. People who are suffering from alcohol addiction may be unlikely to seek treatment because they do not believe that their alcohol use is a problem that needs correction. They may also fear facing the cultural stigmas associated with addiction and with seeking help.  If you are an addiction treatment expert who is considering becoming involved in treatment missions, Uganda is a country that may need your help.   Uganda’s Problems with Addiction   Unlike addiction treatment in First World countries such as the United States, the treatment resources in Third World countries are limited. Fortunately, there are several rehabilitation volunteer programs that allow professionals to go abroad to treat drug and alcohol addiction. The need for education that will help people understand addiction and move beyond limiting beliefs about addiction treatment is paramount.   According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, alcoholism is one of the top causes of psychiatric problems in Uganda. It also contributes to the poverty rate because substance abuse may make it difficult for sufferers to work or maintain employment. Even if they can manage employment, they may spend a substantial amount of their earnings on alcohol instead of essentials.   Along with the erroneous belief that alcoholism is a curable health problem, there are not sufficient resources to treat people with addictions in Uganda. Unfortunately, Uganda’s cultural beliefs sometimes conflict with other beliefs about addiction, creating shame and stigmas that further alienate addicted people and prevent them from seeking help.   Since there is a lack in public education in the country and the Ugandan government does not regulate substances such as alcohol, stronger actions are needed. A study about alcoholism in Uganda reported that 55 percent of respondents did not seek treatment for their alcoholism because they did not think it was a treatable problem. Other respondents refused treatment out of shame or for other reasons.     The Effects of War and Poverty on Addiction   Poverty and addiction are pressing social issues in many countries, including Uganda. In addition to poverty, the nation faces widespread social and economic issues, including unemployment and illiteracy.   Uganda is still dealing with the fallout from war and invasion by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA subjected the people of the region to rampant, indiscriminate violence and oppression. Murder, rape, enslavement, and forced military service for children in the area was common.   Without adequate resources to cope with the unspeakable things that happened to them, some people have sought to handle their trauma in any way possible, including using alcohol to numb their pain. The war left people mutilated, traumatized, and orphaned. Although Uganda is making some inroads to recovery, much still needs to be done to address the war’s devastating effects on the people of the country.   Since there is a lack of public knowledge about addiction, education is essential to encourage addicted individuals to seek treatment. People have not considered alcohol consumption to be a treatable problem in Uganda. Not enough attention has focused on the devastating impact alcohol may have on specific communities, such as pregnant women.   Volunteers talk with people in communities and schools to educate them about addiction and make them aware of options that are available to them. The ability to communicate key information in an easy-to-understand and creative way is an asset.        The Value of Volunteering in Uganda   If you are seeking a picturesque country with a host of geological wonders, Uganda is your place. Within its borders, the country contains broad savannas, dense forests, and majestic mountain ranges. The country is one of the few places where people can see the endangered gorilla. Visiting Uganda gives people the chance to see these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat.   By nature, Ugandans are warm and welcoming people who go out of their way to make visitors feel at home. Hospitality is cultural. Activities to enjoy in Uganda include hiking and bungee jumping. The cuisine is also delicious and there are many restaurants to enjoy excellent local fare.    The Importance of Sharing Your Skills with Those in Need   You have training and skills that can help educate and assist people who are struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. Joining a mission may help you share your talents and compassion with people who may need information and treatment.   Consider contributing to the important work of healing the devastating addiction problems in other countries. If you are looking for a way to make a difference and use your education, training, and experience, helping fight addiction in Uganda may be a good option for you.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents get at least one hour of physical activity each day. It shouldn’t be breaking news that children need exercise. In fact, we are all aware that increased exercise for kids will promote healthy development, prevent chronic disease, and decrease problems such as obesity. Helping kids enjoy being active will set them up to become stronger and healthier teens and adults. Childhood obesity has become a serious epidemic over the last decade, and there are many contributing factors; however, one of the biggest causes is that kids have become more sedentary over the past 10 years or so. In other words, they’re spending a lot more time sitting than they used to. Kids are spending several hours every day in front of a screen (TVs, smartphones, tablets, and other devices). For most kids, there is far too much screen time and not enough physical activity, which can lead to the greater problem of childhood obesity. Check out this guide provided by Maryville University that includes a list of resources and articles about activities and exercises for children in grades K-12 with the goal of promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this post is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified health professional for doubts and questions. Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD oil, is breaking new grounds in the healthcare industry. It is being touted as a cure for chronic pain, depression, arthritis, and a broad range of maladies in many health and wellness websites on the internet. Studies regarding its benefits and side-effects are still nascent, but early research is very promising. Though CBD is derived from the same Cannabis Sativa plant as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC or “weed”), it is nonpsychoactive. That is, CBD oil does not get you high whereas THC does. Unsurprisingly, CBD oil has been receiving massive attention in recent years given all the potential health benefits it may possess. The question is, can it help with pesky skin problems too? Recent research from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests that it most certainly can. Here’s how CBD oil can help alleviate these five of the most commonly diagnosed skin problems: Acne Itchy and Dry Skin (Eczema) Redness and Skin Bumps (Rosacea) Scaly and Itchy Skin (Psoriasis)  Cold Sores Let’s take a comprehensive look at each of them: 1.   CBD Oil for Acne: Acne is a very common skin problem (especially among teens) that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Excessive oil secretion, bacteria, and unregulated production of Androgens (a hormone) are all major contributing factors to Acne development.   It is a chronic (long-lasting) skin problem that can be managed with treatments like antibiotics, topical creams, and so on. But these conventional treatments often have a lot of side effects and are bad for your long-term health. CBD, however, is generally well tolerated and considered safe.   The sebaceous glands and hair follicles contain CB1 and CB2 receptors, just like many other organs in our body. These receptors communicate with the nervous system to trigger diverse effects, such as reduction of inflammation. CBD oil can decrease acne because of its anti-inflammatory characteristics that act to reduce the visible inflammation induced by clogged hair follicles. It stimulates the endocannabinoid system, which includes anandamide, a neurological transmitter that regulates cell growth. If not balanced, it can negatively affect the skin. CBD oil also helps inhibit excessive oil secretion, which is one of the principal causes of acne.     Another benefit of CBD oil over prescription medications is that it solely targets the problem-causing cells. It does not affect the healthy cells thus reducing side effects such as dry and irritated skin.   The easiest way to use CBD oil for acne is in a topical form, such as a cream or lotion. But you can also take CBD oil supplements in the form of pills.   2. CBD Oil for Itchy and Dry Skin: Eczema is another very common skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, red, and cracked. It is often recurring and chronic. There are numerous treatment options but unfortunately, there is no cure. The cause of this skin malady is not very well understood yet. Conventional treatments such as topical steroid creams (corticosteroids) have shown mixed results. Also, prolonged use of such creams causes undesirable side effects. However, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA): “It has long been observed that cannabinoids possess anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-itch qualities” with research dating back to the first textbook of dermatology referencing a use for cannabis in treating skin conditions. The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of cannabinoids applied topically may help improve eczema. According to researchers at the University of Colorado, CBD can be used as a natural alternative to commonly-used steroids. One of the leading researchers, Dr. Robert Dellavalle, said: “There’s a large segment of the population that doesn’t like using steroids, even if they are topical steroids on their skin. CBD could be an alternative, natural product for them to try.” Several researchers maintain that CBD offers immense potential in regulating natural skin processes. Besides, the new topically-applied treatments of CBD have already been cleared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having no potential for abuse or harm, as various clinical trials have marked positive outcomes on the symptoms of Eczema. CBD oil for eczema can also be taken in the form of capsules or sublingually. 3. CBD Oil for Redness and Skin Bumps:   Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition among people with fair skin. Its symptoms are facial redness or “flushing” of the skin, which is often accompanied by small, pus-filled bumps or pimples. It can also cause red, watery eyes; dry, swollen skin; and a burning or itchy feeling. This very visible affliction is often the source of low self-esteem and social anxiety. As in the case of eczema, rosacea has no known cure. However, its symptoms can be controlled with a variety of approved treatments such as oral or topical antibiotics and steroidal creams or gels. Again, these treatments are long-term, so there are bound to be some side-effects. Constant use of oral antibiotics can cause stomach ailments like nausea, and topical antibiotics can lead to more skin problems such as itchiness, inflammation, and hives. Also, long-term use of steroidal creams can worsen the symptoms. Because cannabis is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, CBD oil can help decrease the redness and inflammation. Stress and anxiety often trigger flare-ups, but they can be better managed with the use of CBD. A study conducted by the University of Bonn, Germany, in 2013, uncovered that the topical administration of THC helped decrease the symptoms of inflammation which are allergy-induced. The researchers concluded that this has “important implications for the development of future strategies that use cannabinoids in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases” such as rosacea.   So, the best way to use CBD oil for treating rosacea is the topical administration of creams or ointments. Oral administration of CBD oil can also be very beneficial.   4. CBD Oil for Scaly and Itchy Skin:   Another itchy and often painful skin condition is psoriasis. It occurs due to rapid overproduction of skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin. Occasionally the skin patches can crack and bleed. People with psoriasis may also experience swelling and inflammation in other parts of the body.   Unfortunately, psoriasis too is a chronic skin condition, currently without any cure. Its treatments include steroid creams, occlusion, light therapy and oral medications, such as biologics. But again, all the treatments are having a long-term administration which results in them becoming less effective over time (along with side-effects). A 2007 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science observed that CBD may offer curative value for psoriasis by slowing down the overgrowth of certain skin cells. Also, a 2016 review supports the idea that cannabinoids may prove to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis. Anecdotal evidence shows that topical CBD oil supplies a significant volume of moisture to the affected site which helps heal broken and cracked skin. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory qualities of cannabidiol alleviate the burning and flaking of patchy skin, reducing redness and dryness almost instantly.   Injury or infections to your skin can produce flare-ups, but the antioxidant components of CBD oil can mitigate the infection that aggravates the conditions. 5. CBD Oil for Cold Sores Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) which occur in the form of tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. They are contagious and spread easily by casual contact. Thus, they are very common.   They usually resolve by themselves within two to four weeks, however, the virus remains in the bloodstream and can be reactivated repeatedly. Besides being painful and itchy, cold sores can cause a fever and make you feel self-conscious.   While not yet concretely confirmed, in addition to being a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, CBD oil also possesses anti-viral properties. Usually, people prefer to apply infused topical CBD creams and ointments directly to cold sores, however, using CBD in the form of oil tinctures is a smarter way. This is because oil tinctures pack more CBD molecules in a smaller volume and are more potent than creams. Consequently, oil tinctures fight HSV-1 pathogens and clear up the inflammatory-induced sores and blisters at a quicker rate. To use CBD in the form of oil tinctures, simply apply it to the affected regions and massage gently for about 90 seconds to allow proper absorption.   A Word of Caution If you’re planning on using CBD oil for any skin problem, or even in general, make sure to pay close attention to the product you’re picking. For the past three years, the FDA has been issuing letters of warning to many companies for touting “CBD oils” that contain nominal amounts of active cannabinoids, thus duping customers.   Always talk to your doctor before going down this relatively new path of treatment. Above all, stay vigilant, stay safe!   Author Bio: Joy Smith is a speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur. After trying a number of poor quality CBD products, she teamed up with her family to develop an organically grown, full spectrum hemp oil to help people suffering from several ailments.