A wealth of books, manuals, and online materials is available for physicians interested in global health. Many of these publications capture decades of experience in resource-constrained countries, and present diagnostic and treatment protocols that—although much simpler than Western practice—are evidence-based and effective in populations with few resources and limited education.
Hesperian Foundation
A source of very well-regarded books focused on primary health care delivery by community health workers. Many physicians and health care professionals use these manuals in a variety of community-oriented health activities and in teaching.
Consortium of Universities for Global Health
A great resource for general and focused modules on global health topics, including preparation for global health service
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO documents have set the standard of care at the community health center level in many developing countries and provide useful insight into practice in resource-constrained settings; many are written for nurses or paramedical health care providers.
Additional Online Resources
The following resources are recommended by members of the AAFP's Global Health Member Interest Group.
Lupton RD. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers; 2011.
Recommended by: Mark Meyer, MD, Director, Global Health Track, Family Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Markle W, Fisher M, Smego R. Understanding Global Health. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013.
Recommended by: Mark Meyer, MD, Director, Global Health Track, Family Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Fikkert B, Corbett S. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor… and Yourself. New Edition. Chicago, IL. Moody Publishers; 2014.
Recommended by: Stephen P. Merry, MD, MPH, Consultant, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Downing R. The Wedding Goes On Without Us. Nairobi, Kenya. Jacaranda Designs; 2002.
Recommended by: Andrew Janssen MD, FAAFP
Seager G. When Healthcare Hurts: An Evidence Based Guide For Best Practices in Global Health Initiatives. Bloomington, IN. AuthorHouse; 2012.
Recommended by: Maurice Henein, MD, Associate Program Director, Community East Family Medicine Residency, Indianapolis, IN
Maranz D. African Friends and Money Matters: Observations from Africa. Dallas TX. SIL International; 2001.
Recommended by: Ben Fredrick, MD, Director, Global Health Center; Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
DiPrete Brown L. Foundations for Global Health Practice. Hoboken NJ. John Wiley and Sons; 2018.
Wilson JW, Merry SP, Franz WB. Rules of engagement: the principles of underserved global health volunteerism. Am J Med. 2012;125(6):612-617.
Recommended by: Stephen P. Merry, MD, MPH, Consultant, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Iserson KV. Practical realities of doing volunteer medical work in the developing world. Fam Pract Manag. 2013;20(5):22-26.
Recommended by: Ben Fredrick, MD, Director, Global Health Center, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
Miller MM (Director). Poverty, Inc. 2014. United States. Acton Institute.
Recommended by: Stephen P. Merry, MD, MPH, Consultant, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Newberry C (Director). American Heart. 2013. United States. Free Country Media.
Recommended by: Stephen P. Merry, MD, MPH, Consultant, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN\
Janmaat E (Director). Why Kenya Needs Family Medicine. 2016.
Recommended by: Bruce Dahlman, MD, FAAFP, MSHPE, Head, Department of Family Medicine and Community Care, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kabarak University, Kabarak, Kenya
Holland T (Director). First, Do No Harm: A Qualitative Research Documentary. 2011.
Recommended by: Ben Fredrick, MD, Director, Global Health Center, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA