DOCTORS OF THE WORLD USA INC

Women and children living in developing countries lack access to obstetric healthcare services, resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Most maternal and infant deaths are caused by infections that could have been prevented with increased family planning and pre-natal healthcare.

We work to combat high rates of maternal and infant mortality. It seeks to improve access to basic healthcare services in areas where women and children have no means of receiving care. Many of our programs are based in rural areas, where affordable pre and post-natal health services are unavailable.

We are a world leader in pioneering effective harm reduction techniques.

Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDs, hepatitis C, malaria and tuberculosis are preventable and treatable, but continue to threaten the developing world. Sex workers, drug users, and other at-risk groups confront stigmatization and barriers to accessing healthcare. Focusing on prevention, we provide testing services, counseling and education on safe practices, leading to significant reductions in harm.

Many migrant and refugee populations travel long distances with limited supplies of food and water. Along their journey they confront disease, violence, and trauma. These vulnerable populations face marginalization and exclusion from national health services. We believe access to healthcare is a human right, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, gender or legal status. We work with migrant and refugee populations to improve access to healthcare, providing primary care, psychological support, and referral to other necessary services. We also advocate to ensure their effective access to national health systems.

A holistic approach to health and its determinants should take environmental issues into account, the environment being a factor of health and social inequalities. When the causes of harmful living and working environments are known, our actions focus on reducing their health effects at a local level, i.e., within a limited geographical area. The populations targeted by our actions are those traditionally supported by our organization: the victims of poverty, stigmatization or discrimination.