Today we spent the day in Austral university listening to lectures. We spoke to Dra. Diana Farina who worked with the ministries of health. She described the challenge of sexual health illiteracy in young girls. In 2019, 1 in 4 women pregnant in Argentina were under the age of 18. In order to combat this they began providing contraceptions and birth control for free in provinces. As well as sex ed classes in public schools. We also spoke to Dr. Ruben Torre who explained the finances of the social security sector surrounding health care and insurance. During these lectures we also learned about federalism. Federalism is when power is shared between national and state governments. This affects the organization of the public health system because healthcare responsibilities are divided among the national, provincial, and local levels of the government. Each province has large control over its own healthcare system. Because of this each province has different levels of quality and access. This can be good because it will be specific to the needs of each province, but it also can create inequality between rich and poorer areas. 

During our free time we got to enjoy lunch. I love the cafe culture here. We all got avacado toasts with sun-dried tomatoes it was so good!! On our walk back to the university between lectures we went to a bakery and got dulce de leche sweet pin rolls. It was so good! The bakeries here remind me of Pittsburgh’s large bakery culture. Tonight we are going to the tango dinner and I am so excited! I love watching dancing and music. Overall today is such a great day and I am so glad to be here.