We've taken on the major health problems of the poorest - tuberculosis, maternal mortality, AIDS, malaria - in four countries. We've scored some victories in the sense that we've cured or treated thousands and changed the discourse about what is possible.

What I can argue is that no one should have to die of a disease that is treatable.

Equity is the only acceptable goal

But as for activism, my parents did what they could, given the constraints, but were never involved in the causes I think of when I think of activists.

You can't have public health without working with the public sector. You can't have public education without working with the public sector in education.

It is very expensive to give bad medical care to poor people in a rich country.

If you look just at the decades after 1934, you know it's hard to point to really inspired and positive support from outside of Haiti, to Haiti, and much easier to point to either small-minded or downright mean-spirited policies.