Ep. 4 | Dr. Bilal Butt - Rethinking Global Health through Environment & Place

In this episode of Voices from the Field, we speak with Dr. Bilal Butt, a Professor in the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability and Senior Advisor at the U-M Center for Global Health Equity whose work sits at the intersection of environmental justice, conservation, and global health.Dr. Butt joins Neil Nakkash to discuss how geography and environment shape global health challenges, drawing from his experiences working with communities in East Africa and within academic institutions in the United States. He reflects on the tensions between conservation and local livelihoods, the limitations of top-down approaches to global health and development, and the importance of understanding health through place, land, movement, and environmental change.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Butt shares insights on environmental geopolitics, community-engaged research, and the broader systems that influence global health inequities. For students interested in global health, environmental justice, sustainability, and international fieldwork, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on rethinking global health beyond the clinic.Follow NAAMA NextGen on Instagram @NAAMA_NextGen to stay updated on our events, initiatives, and other content.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. If you'd like to watch this episode, visit https://www.youtube.com/@naama_nextgenSee you next time on Voices From the Field.