International Public Health

Overview

International Public Health programs work to alleviate human suffering by providing technical expertise and support to national programs to build strong systems for the prevention and treatment of diseases. People living in developing nations die or are disabled because they do not have access to the services they need to treat their illness or avoid infection entirely. Every day Carter Center experts show people how they can take steps to transform their own lives.

Some of the targeted diseases include:

Lymphatic Filariasis: The Carter Center's Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program works with national ministries of health to eliminate the debilitating parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis (also known as “elephantiasis”) from areas of Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the island of Hispaniola. Approximately 120 million people are infected by lymphatic filariasis (LF) and it is a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability worldwide.

The selected intern will work with Carter Center headquarters and Nigeria laboratory staff to analyze a dataset of serology results from a cross-sectional operational research study for LF and onchocerciasis conducted in Nigeria. The responsibilities will include data cleaning, descriptive, and spatial analyses. The student also will be expected to initiate a draft manuscript of the study and its results for scientific publication.

Trachoma: The Carter Center’s Trachoma Control Program works with ministries of health in five African countries to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. The office in Atlanta supports program staff in all five countries to implement program activities. As a global leader in the fight against trachoma, the Center and partners implement the World Health Organization-recommended SAFE strategy for trachoma control: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. 

Guinea Worm: Since 1986, The Carter Center has led the international campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease, working closely with ministries of health and local communities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and many others. The office in Atlanta supports program staff in five countries affected by the disease: South Sudan, Mali, Chad, Ethiopia, and Angola. 

Guinea worm disease could become the second human disease in history, after smallpox, to be eradicated. It would be the first parasitic disease to be eradicated and the first disease to be eradicated without the use of a vaccine or medicine.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1-2

Qualifications

• Interest in parasitic and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and/or serological studies
• Excellent quantitative and written skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed first year master's training in epidemiology and biostatistics
• Previous experience managing large datasets
• Experience with Stata and mapping software (ArcGIS)

Interested in applying for an internship in the Center's International Public Health programs? See application deadlines »