"If you think about humanity like a boat out in the water, think about Africa and other developing regions of the world as being in the back of the boat where a hole is causing massive flooding. The truth that can sometimes be difficult to see is that we're all on the same boat. It doesn't matter much if it's the front or back that is sinking -- we're all in this together."

Nowhere is the imperative for the developed world to take action on behalf of developing nations more clear than in the areas of health and security. Infectious disease can no longer be stopped by the distance provided by thousands of miles of ocean. If Africa or Asia suffers from infectious disease, it is very likely that Europe and the United States will face the disease shortly thereafter.

The work of HEAL International is based on the principle that every human life has equal value, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Adults and children living in areas that lack essential health services bear a disproportionate burden of disease and health complications and have been shown to have a shorter life expectancy than people living in communities that have access to basic health services and health education. Moreover, medical infrastructure and economics are intimately linked. Poor health conditions and infrastructure in resource-limited communities can have a dramatic effect on local economy.

Intelligence, passion, and commitment are spread equally amongst the citizens of the world. Opportunity is not.