If you’re preparing for a medical internship, or applying to med, PA, or nursing school with global health exposure, having a strong grasp of key global health terms is essential. Not only does it help you communicate more effectively in cross-cultural healthcare settings, but it also demonstrates to schools and supervisors that you’ve done your homework.
This ultimate glossary breaks down essential terminology every pre-med, pre-PA, nursing, dental, or public health student should know before stepping into a hospital abroad or writing their personal statement.
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Before we dive in, here’s why this glossary is more than just vocabulary practice:
Whether you're joining Go Elective’s medical internship in Mombasa, Kenya or shadowing at a hospital in Arusha, Tanzania, these terms will help you hit the ground running.
A field focused on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. It emphasizes transnational health issues, solutions, and the interconnectedness of health systems.
Differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare that are closely linked with social, economic, or environmental disadvantages. Common in marginalized populations.
Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These include income, education, housing, access to healthcare, and social support.
Essential health services that are universally accessible to individuals and families. Focuses on prevention, education, and treatment of common diseases.
The goal that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. A core principle in global health policy.
The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Often used as an indicator of a country’s healthcare system strength and access to obstetric care.
A group of infectious diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions and affect over one billion people worldwide. Examples: schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and lymphatic filariasis.
The collective impact of diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Often measured in DALYs or incidence rates.
A metric that combines the years of life lost due to premature death and the years lived with disability. Used to assess the overall burden of disease.
A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It sets global health guidelines and provides support for countries.
The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations. Essential in identifying risk factors and trends in public health.
An action or policy designed to improve the health of populations. Examples include vaccination programs, sanitation efforts, or health education campaigns.
Efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. Strengthened by international collaboration, surveillance systems, and capacity building.
A strategy in which certain healthcare responsibilities are transferred from highly qualified health workers to health workers with shorter training and fewer qualifications—commonly used in low-resource settings.
The money individuals spend on health services directly, as opposed to those covered by insurance or government programs. High rates are common in many low- and middle-income countries.
A frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of the community. CHWs are critical in providing care, education, and referral services.
Strategies to improve the performance of health systems, including governance, financing, service delivery, health workforce, and data systems.
A condition resulting from inadequate or unbalanced nutrition. Includes undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition.
Diseases influenced by environmental and climate conditions, including malaria, cholera, and dengue fever. An increasing concern in global health planning.
During your internship at a referral hospital, you may encounter common local medical terms, practices, or phrases such as:
Knowing these in advance prepares you to navigate your clinical setting with professionalism and ease.
Don’t just learn these terms. Use them strategically in your personal statement, resume, or interview answers. Here’s how:
This level of vocabulary fluency sets your application apart and shows genuine global health literacy.
Author: Go-Elective Abroad
Date Published: Jun 28, 2025
Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.