I want to write from Bangkok about why I am excited and hopeful about the future of the global health workforce.

Although in many developed countries running water that is safe for drinking and bathing and working toilets are ubiquitous, a third of the world’s population goes without these luxuries.

On August 18, I saw these words in front of me: “The ‘competency of HR workers’ is one of seven ‘major obstacles to building a first-class federal workforce’. [. . .] It's not that the human relations professionals are incompetent. They don't have the training or the technology needed to keep up with a quickly changing workplace.”

This month’s Health Affairs issue “Lessons from Around the World” highlights some of the most pressing issues in health systems strengthening and human resources for health.