Advocating for public health issues has been undertaken in many ways. Music, art and dance are methods of expression that have been used for thousands of years to express feelings on issues whether political, environmental, medical, or educational. These creative methods have been instrumental in raising the consciousness of communities all over the world. Artists like Juanes and Fela Kuti as well as organizations like Desert Soul use the tools of art and music to change the global health landscape and educate people.
Music with a Message
In 1975 Fela Kuti released his second full length album entitled Expensive Shit; Water Get No Enemy was one of 5 tracks on the critically acclaimed album. When the 11 minute track opens you hear vibrant, perfectly synced horns quickly followed by drums that would make even the most stoic listener want to get up and dance. The song pulls you into an entranced state of excitement and passion that is generally reserved for love songs. But the love that this song is referring to is the love and necessity of water. Yes, water. In the song Water Get No Enemy Fela says,... “T’omo ba n’dagba omi l’o ma’lo... if your child, na water you go use... nothing without water”. Both simple and powerful; the words to this thirty year old song still ring true.
Fela was born in Nigeria in 1940 to middle class parents who gave him a great foundation for his life of politics, advocacy and music. His father was a minister and educator and his mother was an activist concerned with women’s rights and anti-colonialism. His parents sent him to study medicine in London but rather than follow the path created by his family Fela decided to pursue music. He is known as the father of Afro-beat which combines traditional African music with Soul, Funk and Jazz. Fela was also inspired by the Black Power movement that was happening in the United States in the 1970’s.His music is equally entertaining as it was empowering and informative. Many of his songs address very serious issues ranging from police corruption to the lack of access to clean water. Fela Kuti was known by many as The Black President because in every part of his life he spoke loudly and passionately about the issues facing Africans all over the world.
In 1997 Fela Kuti died from complications due to AIDS but his music and messages still live on. Modern artists like Mos Def used the music and inspiration of Fela to inform a new generation about the health issues of the world. Mos Def uses the track New World Water to let us know that, “...There are places where TB is common as TV... Cause foreign-based companies go and get greedy. The type of cats who pollute the whole shore line. Have it purified, sell it for a dollar twenty-five”. People like Fela Kuti and Mos Def show the world that art can be a vehicle for delivering health messages and many health organizations have decided to follow suit.
Storytelling to Educate People
Desert Soul is a Namibian organization dedicated to actively advocating for sound policies on issues such as HIV/AIDS, TB, maternal health, children’s rights, nutrition and sanitation and hygiene. They believe that knowledge is the first step to a healthier lifestyle. Desert Soul materials are designed to be informative and entertaining, espousing the term “Edutainment” to describe their approach. Bright colors, animated pictures and artistic drawings are used in conjunction with exciting radio and TV formats to make the material as attention-grabbing and user-friendly as possible so that knowledge sticks with the audience. Click on the picture!
Learning about Nutrition Through Music
Children are especially great at absorbing and internalizing information, especially when it comes to the arts. Dr. Kenny Davin Fine who specializes in gastroenterology has undertaken a mission to educate people about intestinal health specifically targeted to grade school children. He has developed a non-profit organization called Get on a Mission of Nutrition, which is a multimedia educational campaign that teaches children about nutrition and healthy eating habits. Merging his professional background and deep passion for music, Dr. Fine has professionally recorded songs like Mission of Nutrition, Produce Man, and A Trip Down Intestinal Lane to engage his younger audience. His songs are upbeat and vibrant and can encourage even the most timid child to get up and dance!
Other projects Dr.Fine also heads include the Intestinal Health Institute, The Organic Alternative, Finer Health and Nutrition and a clinical laboratory EnteroLab. Attaining proper nutrition is an obstacle that populations face globally; whether it is under-nutrition or obesity. Specifically in our country, obesity is a major epidemic. Systemic diseases such as Diabetes II can be prevented with good nutrition. Teaching younger generations about healthy eating habits will give them the tools to live long and healthy lives. This is a philosophy that Dr.Fine strongly believes in and has incorporated music as a fun way to undertake his mission!
Advocating for Landmine Victims
The mortality rate due to injuries worldwide was around 5.1 million people in 2010. Incredibly, this number is bigger than all deaths due to HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB combined. In some low and middle income countries 84% of deaths are attributed to injuries, a majority of those deaths are avoidable and could be easily prevented. In the case of Columbia, decades of civil war has resulted in deaths, displacement, and violence. The most affected populations are families that live in rural areas, where the conflict takes place. Guerrillas and paramilitary forces have left landmines around the countryside, causing hundreds of serious injuries and death among people; children are most affected. These shocking numbers have inspired a famous musician to take action.
Juanes is a Colombian singer, well known for being the first musician to perform in the debating chamber of the European Parliament in Brussels where he staged a concert as part of his campaign to ban antipersonnel mines. That was how he gained financial support from EU to fight against this issue. His music has crossed the boundaries of language and has transmitted a message of peace to everyone. His voice has been a siren of help and hope for the victims of landmines. And through his foundation "Mi Sangre" he has brought education to children as well as support and rehabilitation to those with injuries.
Global Health has remained an important and widely discussed topic around the world for decades. Many cultures and groups of people have taken to music, dance, and song to share their opinions and beliefs about health. People like Dr.Fine, Fela Kuti, Juanes and Desert Soul have created and nurtured very powerful health awareness movements through music and art. These people prove that the topic of global health isn’t only reserved from classrooms or the elite. Each and every one of us has the tools to inspire people to unite and come to a mutual understanding about how to keep people healthy.
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