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== Definition ==
== Definition ==
g''lobal health directly states that its goal is to promote health and prevent and treat diseases for all people in all countries across the globe.''<ref name=":0">Chen X, Li H, Lucero-Prisno DE, Abdullah AS, Huang J, Laurence C, Liang X, Ma Z, Mao Z, Ren R, Wu S. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136700/ What is global health? Key concepts and clarification of misperceptions]. Global health research and policy. 2020 Dec;5(1):1-8.</ref>''Global health is concerned with protecting the entire global community, not just its poorest segments, against threats to health and with delivering essential and cost-effective public health and clinical services to the world’s population. A fundamental te''<ref name=":2">De Cock KM, Simone PM, Davison V, Slutsker L. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739536/ The new global health]. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013 Aug;19(8):1192.</ref>
Global health is a broad term that entails promoting health and preventing and treating diseases for all people throughout the globe.<ref name=":0">Chen X, Li H, Lucero-Prisno DE, Abdullah AS, Huang J, Laurence C, Liang X, Ma Z, Mao Z, Ren R, Wu S. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7136700/ What is global health? Key concepts and clarification of misperceptions]. Global health research and policy. 2020 Dec;5(1):1-8.</ref> It transcends geographical, national and cultural boundaries by targeting populations in all countries. <ref name=":0" /> Global health differs from public health in that it focuses on the entire global community versus a specific country or community. <ref name=":1">Beaglehole R, Bonita R. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852240/ What is global health?.] Global Health Action. 2010;3.</ref> Its goal is to protect the world's population against threats to health while delivering cost-effective services.<ref name=":2">De Cock KM, Simone PM, Davison V, Slutsker L. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739536/ The new global health]. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013 Aug;19(8):1192.</ref>  Global health aims to seek broad solutions including partnerships, frameworks, policies, regulations and laws that can be implemented through government and communities. <ref name=":0" />  


Global health primarily centres around health and medical issues that transcend geographical, national and cultural boundaries by targeting populations in all countries.  It aims to seek broad solutions including partnerships, frameworks, policies, regulations and laws that can be implemented through government and communities. <ref name=":0" />Global health focuses on issues that have a global impact with the goal of seeking a global solution.  The ultimate goal is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.<ref name=":0" /> Public health is usually looking at the health of a specific country or community in a population. <ref name=":1">Beaglehole R, Bonita R. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852240/ What is global health?.] Global Health Action. 2010;3.</ref> Global health focuses on the global population.  Both public and global health try to address economic, social, environmental and political determinants of health one being national, the other globally.<ref name=":1" /> <ref name=":0" />
Issues within global health have a global impact with the goal of seeking a global solution.  With economic growth, rapid and uneven paced globalisation and technological development, more health issues are having a global impact.  Some examples include, health disparities, internet abuse, spread of sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, rates of substance abuse, obesity, depression and mental health issues.<ref name=":0" /> Global solutions are not in the form of medical interventions, but in the form of policies, frameworks, laws and regulations are needed for these global issues. <ref name=":0" />


Along with rapid and unevenly paced globalization, economic growth, and technological development, more and more medical and health issues with global impact emerge. Typical examples include growing health disparities, migration-related medical and health issues, issues related to internet abuse, the spread of sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity, obesity, increasing rates of substance abuse, depression, suicide and many other emerging mental health issu<ref name=":0" />
According to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the following are the top current issues within global health:


Global solutions are also needed for many emerging health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, internet abuse, drug abuse, tobacco smoking, suicide, and other problems [29, 44]. As described earlier, global solutions are not often a medical intervention or a procedure for individual patients but frameworks, policies, strategies, laws and regulations. Using social media to deliver interventions represents a promising approach in establishment of global solutions, given its power to penetrate physical barriers and can reach a large body of audience quickly.<ref name=":0" />
# Long COVID
# Mental health
# Impact on climate change
# Cardiovascular disease
# Lower respiratory infection
# Poverty's role in health
# Health systems strengthening
# Diabetes
# Road injuries
# Dementia
# Population aging<ref>The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation: 11 global health issues to watch in 2023, according to IHME experts. 2022.  Available from: https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/11-global-health-issues-watch-2023-according-ihme-experts</ref>


== Social Determinants of Health ==
The ultimate goal of global health is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.<ref name=":0" />  To effectively improve health and reduce inequities, social determinants of health needs to addressed.  Social determinants of health (SDH) are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. <ref name=":3">World Health Organization. Social Determinants of Health. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1</ref> These factors are conditions in which individuals are born, grow, age, live and work that shape their daily life.<ref>Saraswathy SY. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23779497.2021.1929387 Global Health Security: Addressing Social Determinants of Health through programmes and other initiatives]. Global Security: Health, Science and Policy. 2021 Jan 1;6(1):38-48.</ref> The following are examples of social determinants of health which can have either a positive or negative consequence on health:


== SDH ==
* Education
Reducing health inequalities is one of the most important challenges, and that is why addressing SDH has become all the more important. Addressing SDH in turn involves improving livelihood of people (i.e. by placing fairness at the heart of policies), leading to improvement in their SES, more so when it comes to improving health of the population and reducing exposure to diseases that pose a threat to health security of a large number of people. (Figs. 1 & 2).The social determinants of health (SDH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. At the macro-level, it involves policies, programmes and legislations; and other political actions taken by the government in addressing social factors influencing health. (WHO, <ref>Saraswathy SY. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23779497.2021.1929387 Global Health Security: Addressing Social Determinants of Health through programmes and other initiatives]. Global Security: Health, Science and Policy. 2021 Jan 1;6(1):38-48.</ref>
* Income and social protection
* Food Insecurity
* Social inclusion
* Early childhood development
* Unemployment and job insecurity
* Working life conditions
* Housing, basic amenities and the environment
* Structural conflict
* Access to affordable and quality health services<ref name=":3" />  


https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
Research shows that SDH account for 30-55% of health outcomes demonstrating that it may be more important in influencing health rather than health care or lifestyle choices.  Therefore, addressing SDH is a critical component to improving global health.<ref name=":3" />


== Current Global Health Concerns ==
.Approximately 2 billion persons worldwide do not have clean drinking water,https://www.who.int/news/item/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who


More than 60% of preventable deaths worldwide are now attributable to [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases#:~:text=Key%20facts,74%25%20of%20all%20deaths%20globally. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases#:~:text=Key%20facts,74%25%20of%20all%20deaths%20globally.]noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases); in low-income and middle-income countries, 48% of such deaths occur in persons <70 years of age, compared with 26% in high-income countries (''38''). The incidence of these conditions is also increasing rapidly in Africa, a region in which urbanization and population growth are most extreme. urrent challenges facing the lowest-income countries, the needs of disenfranchised or displaced populations, societies threatened by conflict and humanitarian emergencies, and the urban and rural poor living conditions in the midst of plenty<ref name=":2" />
A clear correlation exists between countries’ gross domestic product and their health indicators, such as mortality rates in children <5 years of age (highest in low-income countries) or life expectancy (highest in high-income countries). Development raises living standards, accompanied by improvement in basic services and drivers of health, such as nutrition and food security; access to potable water and sanitation; maternal and child health interventions, including family planning; and basic education, especially for women. The fundamental responsibility for development agencies, and their greatest contribution to health, is poverty reduction.


https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/11-global-health-issues-watch-2023-according-ihme-experts
Lack of access to water and sanitation highlights some of the greatest inequities in global health. Approximatel.   high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases at the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011, only the second such meeting devoted to health, emphasized how these diseases now dominate health worldwide (''37''). More than 60% of preventable deaths worldwide are now attributable to noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases); in low-income and middle-income countries, 48% of such deaths occur in persons <70 years of age, compared with 26% in high-income countries (''38''). The incidence of these conditions is also increasing rapidly in Africa, a region in which urbanization and population growth are most extreme.
 
The risk factors for noncommunicable diseases are associated with urbanization and altered lifestyles, especially smoking, physical inactivity, air pollution, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol use. Hypertension, obesity, and increased cholesterol levels are measurable indicators predicting adverse outcomes, and specific chronic infections, such as those with hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, are linked to certain cancers. In<ref name=":2" />


== SDG ==
== SDG ==

Revision as of 04:19, 30 July 2023

Definition[edit | edit source]

Global health is a broad term that entails promoting health and preventing and treating diseases for all people throughout the globe.[1] It transcends geographical, national and cultural boundaries by targeting populations in all countries. [1] Global health differs from public health in that it focuses on the entire global community versus a specific country or community. [2] Its goal is to protect the world's population against threats to health while delivering cost-effective services.[3] Global health aims to seek broad solutions including partnerships, frameworks, policies, regulations and laws that can be implemented through government and communities. [1]

Issues within global health have a global impact with the goal of seeking a global solution. With economic growth, rapid and uneven paced globalisation and technological development, more health issues are having a global impact. Some examples include, health disparities, internet abuse, spread of sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, rates of substance abuse, obesity, depression and mental health issues.[1] Global solutions are not in the form of medical interventions, but in the form of policies, frameworks, laws and regulations are needed for these global issues. [1]

According to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the following are the top current issues within global health:

  1. Long COVID
  2. Mental health
  3. Impact on climate change
  4. Cardiovascular disease
  5. Lower respiratory infection
  6. Poverty's role in health
  7. Health systems strengthening
  8. Diabetes
  9. Road injuries
  10. Dementia
  11. Population aging[4]

Social Determinants of Health[edit | edit source]

The ultimate goal of global health is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.[1] To effectively improve health and reduce inequities, social determinants of health needs to addressed. Social determinants of health (SDH) are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. [5] These factors are conditions in which individuals are born, grow, age, live and work that shape their daily life.[6] The following are examples of social determinants of health which can have either a positive or negative consequence on health:

  • Education
  • Income and social protection
  • Food Insecurity
  • Social inclusion
  • Early childhood development
  • Unemployment and job insecurity
  • Working life conditions
  • Housing, basic amenities and the environment
  • Structural conflict
  • Access to affordable and quality health services[5]

Research shows that SDH account for 30-55% of health outcomes demonstrating that it may be more important in influencing health rather than health care or lifestyle choices. Therefore, addressing SDH is a critical component to improving global health.[5]


A clear correlation exists between countries’ gross domestic product and their health indicators, such as mortality rates in children <5 years of age (highest in low-income countries) or life expectancy (highest in high-income countries). Development raises living standards, accompanied by improvement in basic services and drivers of health, such as nutrition and food security; access to potable water and sanitation; maternal and child health interventions, including family planning; and basic education, especially for women. The fundamental responsibility for development agencies, and their greatest contribution to health, is poverty reduction.

Lack of access to water and sanitation highlights some of the greatest inequities in global health. Approximatel. high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases at the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011, only the second such meeting devoted to health, emphasized how these diseases now dominate health worldwide (37). More than 60% of preventable deaths worldwide are now attributable to noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases); in low-income and middle-income countries, 48% of such deaths occur in persons <70 years of age, compared with 26% in high-income countries (38). The incidence of these conditions is also increasing rapidly in Africa, a region in which urbanization and population growth are most extreme.

The risk factors for noncommunicable diseases are associated with urbanization and altered lifestyles, especially smoking, physical inactivity, air pollution, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol use. Hypertension, obesity, and increased cholesterol levels are measurable indicators predicting adverse outcomes, and specific chronic infections, such as those with hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, are linked to certain cancers. In[3]

SDG[edit | edit source]

https://sdgs.un.org/goals

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Chen X, Li H, Lucero-Prisno DE, Abdullah AS, Huang J, Laurence C, Liang X, Ma Z, Mao Z, Ren R, Wu S. What is global health? Key concepts and clarification of misperceptions. Global health research and policy. 2020 Dec;5(1):1-8.
  2. ↑ Beaglehole R, Bonita R. What is global health?. Global Health Action. 2010;3.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 De Cock KM, Simone PM, Davison V, Slutsker L. The new global health. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013 Aug;19(8):1192.
  4. ↑ The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation: 11 global health issues to watch in 2023, according to IHME experts. 2022. Available from: https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/insights-blog/acting-data/11-global-health-issues-watch-2023-according-ihme-experts
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 World Health Organization. Social Determinants of Health. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
  6. ↑ Saraswathy SY. Global Health Security: Addressing Social Determinants of Health through programmes and other initiatives. Global Security: Health, Science and Policy. 2021 Jan 1;6(1):38-48.
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