From family planning to HIV/AIDS prevention to poverty alleviation: a conversation with Mechai Viravaidya. Interview by Glenn A. Melnick.
In this interview, Mechai Viravaidya shares how he harnessed the media and various other distribution channels in Thailand to launch nationwide programs aimed at changing attitudes, beliefs, and health behavior in very controversial and difficult areas, such as sexual behavior in the context of population control and HIV/AIDS. He provides insight into the leadership skills required to change cultural beliefs in order to achieve public health objectives. And finally, he describes how his thinking has evolved and broadened to include poverty alleviation and improved management and sustainability models for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as the most effective way to improve health status in the long run.
Viravaidya
Mechai
M
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009938:Organizations; D011155:Population Control; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D013785:Thailand