Academic medicine must take its global role: the M8 Alliance of Academic Health Centers and Medical Universities.

摘要

At the inaugural World Health Summit in 2009, the M8 Alliance of Academic Health Centers and Medical Universities was formed to lead intensified international debate about research and education in global health challenges. The idea was to create an international forum that seeks discussions with governmental representatives, policy makers, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and the health-related industry to initiate cross-sectoral solutions for the most pressing global health challenges. The first Summit was a good start but wider engagement and a broader topic range are needed. So the second Summit, in Berlin on Oct 10-13, introduces three key themes: translation of research and education into health gains; transition of societies to having a majority of elderly people with chronic diseases, on the one hand, and increasing inequalities, on the other; and transformation of research and scientific innovation into policy changes.