Especially Annoying Global Health Acronyms*

by Alanna Shaikh · 2009-06-02 22:32:00 UTC
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(image credit: DFID)

IIP - This is a US State Department and USAID acronym. It's especially annoying because it stands for two different things. "Investing in People," which is the State Department classification which includes health, and International Information Programs, which is the State Department classification which includes sending jazz bands to foreign countries.

UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Annoying because I always get this acronym wrong, and because the whole organization annoys me with their focus on drugs as a crime and not as a public health problem.

IFI - International Financial Institution. A catch-all to refer to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the IMF and so on. Annoying because it's pronounced "iffy" and that's just way too cute. Also, it's an easy way to cover up ignorance of exactly which IFI you are talking about, which does not lead to clear or effective communication.

DfID - The UK Department for International Development. Sure, it's very cool that they are independent and cabinet level and not a foreign policy tool. But that's up with the "f"? How does that belong there? (And now I went and checked their official website. They aren't even using the little f any more. They are DFID. Officially the most annoying acronym ever. I will invent some kind of award.)

Welt Hunger Hilfe - This is annoying because as far as I can tell, they have no acronym. They use their full name every time. Or the English version, German Agro Action, which also annoys me because it's really not a translation.

Anybody have an annoying acronym they would like to share in the comments? Or a category of acronyms you'd like me to tackle?

*Your irritation may vary.

Alanna Shaikh
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