2020
Arush Lal
- Age: 28
- | He/him/his
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I aspire for a world where gender is seen as a strength and not a weakness in leadership, where young people are seen as the foundation for developing a sustainable future, and where a commitment to intersectionality in health equity isn’t an afterthought but a core mission.
- Arush Lal
Bio
Arush Lal is a Board Member and former Vice Chair for Women in Global Health, and serves as a Commissioner on the Chatham House Commission for Universal Health. He has was also selected as a Community & Civil Society Representative for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and Advisor to the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI).
A doctoral candidate at the London School of Economics & Political Science, Arush’s research explores the politics of global health governance and diplomacy in strengthening health systems for global health security and universal health coverage. His research has been published in The Lancet and BMJ Global Health, featured in platforms like CNN and Politico, and cited by the U.S. and U.K. governments, WHO, USAID, World Bank, OECD, and the G7 Pandemic Preparedness Partnership.
Arush has supported strategic advocacy and policy guidance across a range of related topics, including health system resilience, community health workforce, emergency response, health information systems, supply chain strengthening, and youth engagement. He has previously worked for the World Health Organization, U.S. Office of Pandemics & Emerging Threats, and Partners in Health. Arush completed an MSc in Health Policy, Planning & Financing from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine as a Rotary Global Scholar, and a BSc in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology as a President’s Scholar.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
My field of global health and policy is rife with examples of gender inequality — all-male panels, restricted sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender pay gaps, and disproportionate impacts during outbreaks. These daily reminders are why I continue to fight because we still have a long way to go.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
As the youngest member and inaugural Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Women in Global Health, I’ve supported our expansion to 50+ global chapters and 70,000+ supporters, advocated for clear gender-specific language and commitments for international agreements, including the pandemic treaty, International Health Regulations, and Political Declaration for Universal Health Coverage, and ensured representation through our most diverse board membership to date.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Outside of my advocacy efforts, I love exploring abandoned buildings, electronic music festivals, hiking in different countries, Brutalist architecture, cloudy days, and anything chocolate.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Hindi/Urdu (Advanced/Native)
- Spanish (Intermediate)
- Hindi/Urdu (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
- Changing the Narrative: Responsibility for Youth Engagement is a Two-Way Street
- “Systems for health: everyone has a role.” Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research / WHO.
- “Action on health systems, for universal health coverage and health security.” UHC2030
- Symptoms of a broken system: the gender gaps in COVID-19 decision-making
- Arush Lal
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- WHO/UNICEF Primary Health Care Young Leader
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeeper
- Georgia Institute of Technology 40 Under 40
- Emerging Voices for Global Health Fellow
- Global Health Corps Fellow
