Overview of Global Health: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 5: Line 5:


== Definition ==
== Definition ==
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 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" /> The goal of global health 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>  The aim is to seek broad solutions including partnerships, frameworks, policies, regulations and laws that can be implemented through government and communities. <ref name=":0" />


Often times the differences between global health, international health and public health can get muddled.  This chart below adapted from Koplan et al., 2009 explains it succinctly:
Often times the differences between global health, international health and public health can get muddled.  This chart below adapted from Koplan et al., 2009 explains it succinctly:
Line 40: Line 40:


== Global Impact and Solutions ==
== Global Impact and Solutions ==
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" />
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, substance abuse, obesity, depression and mental health issues.<ref name=":0" /> Global solutions to these issues are not in the form of medical interventions, but in the form of policies, frameworks, laws and regulations.  <ref name=":0" />


According to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the following are the top current issues within global health:
According to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the following are the top current issues within global health:
Line 57: Line 57:


=== Low-Resource Countries ===
=== Low-Resource Countries ===
Low-resource countries are generally the main target of global health due to their poor health.  Research shows the lower the individuals' socioeconomic position, the worse their health outcome is.<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> Low-resource countries are constantly battling with malnutrition, access to health care services, lack of clean water and sanitation.  In addition, these countries can be involved in war and conflict making matters worse.  The following statistics provide perspective on issues people in low-income countries face daily highlighting why global health is generally targeted toward them:
Low-resource countries are generally the main target of global health due to their poor health.  Research shows the lower the individuals' socioeconomic position, the worse their health outcome is.<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> Low-resource countries are constantly battling with malnutrition, access to health care services, lack of clean water and sanitation.  In addition, these countries can be involved in war and conflict making matters worse.   
 
The following statistics provides perspective on issues people in low-income countries face daily:  
* over 2 billion people lack access to clean water  
* over 2 billion people lack access to clean water  


Line 73: Line 75:


== Determinants of Health ==
== Determinants of Health ==
The goal of global health is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.<ref name=":0" />  Solving these issues is complex as health outcomes are a result of multiple factors.  These interconnected factors are referred to as determinants of health and can be categorised into the following:
The goal of global health is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.<ref name=":0" />  Solving these issues is complex as health outcomes result from multiple factors.  These interconnected factors are referred to as determinants of health and can be categorised into the following:


# genetics
# genetics
Line 103: Line 105:
** access and the use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
** access and the use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
* Gender:
* Gender:
** different types of diseases affect men and women differently and at different stages of life<ref>World Health Organization.  Determinants of Health. 2017. Available from: [https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health#:~:text=Income%20and%20social%20status%20%2D%20higher,stress%20and%20lower%20self%2Dconfidence. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health#:~:text=Income%20and%20social%20status%20%2D%20higher,stress%20and%20lower%20self%2Dconfidence.]</ref>
** diseases affect men and women differently and at different stages of life<ref>World Health Organization.  Determinants of Health. 2017. Available from: [https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health#:~:text=Income%20and%20social%20status%20%2D%20higher,stress%20and%20lower%20self%2Dconfidence. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health#:~:text=Income%20and%20social%20status%20%2D%20higher,stress%20and%20lower%20self%2Dconfidence.]</ref>


== Sustainable Development Goals ==
== Sustainable Development Goals ==
Line 126: Line 128:
# Partnerships for the goals<ref>United Nations. Sustainable Development Goals. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/goals</ref>
# Partnerships for the goals<ref>United Nations. Sustainable Development Goals. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/goals</ref>


As these goals are interrelated, achieving SDG 3 is only possible if other goals are advancing such as efforts to end poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), quality education (SDG 4) and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6).  
As these goals are interrelated, achieving SDG 3 is only possible if other goals advance (i.e. efforts to end poverty-SDG 1, zero hunger-SDG 2, quality education-SDG 4 and clean water and sanitation-SDG 6).  
 
Health inequalities remain uneven and the rate of reducing avoidable gaps is slower than anticipated.  This decreased pace may be a result of:


Health inequalities remain uneven and the rate of reducing avoidable gaps in health is slower than anticipated.  Some of the reasons behind this are environmental pollution, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, inequities in living conditions, economic disparities and lack of political will and institutional capabilities. SDG 3 provides opportunities for stakeholders to promote health, strengthen disease prevention and increase overall planetary health.<ref>Menne B, Aragon de Leon E, Bekker M, Mirzikashvili N, Morton S, Shriwise A, Tomson G, Vracko P, Wippel C. [https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/30/Supplement_1/i3/5835783 Health and well-being for all: an approach to accelerating progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries in the WHO European Region]. European journal of public health. 2020 Mar 1;30(Supplement_1):i3-9.</ref>
* environmental pollution
* climate change
* antimicrobial resistance
* inequities in living conditions
* economic disparities  
* lack of political will  
* institutional capabilities.  


<nowiki>**</nowiki> The intention of the goals is to provide sustainable development by 2030.<ref>Sianes A, Vega-Muñoz A, Tirado-Valencia P, Ariza-Montes A. [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265409 Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on the academic research agenda.] A scientometric analysis. PLoS One. 2022 Mar 17;17(3):e0265409.</ref>
SDG 3 provides opportunities for stakeholders to promote health, strengthen disease prevention and increase overall planetary health.<ref>Menne B, Aragon de Leon E, Bekker M, Mirzikashvili N, Morton S, Shriwise A, Tomson G, Vracko P, Wippel C. [https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/30/Supplement_1/i3/5835783 Health and well-being for all: an approach to accelerating progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries in the WHO European Region]. European journal of public health. 2020 Mar 1;30(Supplement_1):i3-9.</ref> The intention of the goals is to provide sustainable development by 2030.<ref>Sianes A, Vega-Muñoz A, Tirado-Valencia P, Ariza-Montes A. [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265409 Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on the academic research agenda.] A scientometric analysis. PLoS One. 2022 Mar 17;17(3):e0265409.</ref>


== Resources ==
== Resources ==

Revision as of 19:48, 1 August 2023

Original Editor - Robin Tacchetti based on the course by Derek Lai
Top Contributors - Jess Bell, Robin Tacchetti and Kim Jackson


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] The goal of global health is to protect the world's population against threats to health while delivering cost-effective services.[2] The aim is to seek broad solutions including partnerships, frameworks, policies, regulations and laws that can be implemented through government and communities. [1]

Often times the differences between global health, international health and public health can get muddled. This chart below adapted from Koplan et al., 2009 explains it succinctly:

Geography Cooperation Access Population Disciplines
Global Health Health issues that transcend national boundaries Global Prevention and clinical care Health equity among nations Highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary
International Health Focus on issues outside of one’s own country Bi-national Prevention and clinical care Help other nations Embraces a few disciplines
Public Health Focus on specific communities or countries National Prevention Health equity within a nation or community Multidisciplinary, particularly with health and social science

[3]

Global Impact and Solutions[edit | edit source]

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, substance abuse, obesity, depression and mental health issues.[1] Global solutions to these issues are not in the form of medical interventions, but in the form of policies, frameworks, laws and regulations. [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]

Low-Resource Countries[edit | edit source]

Low-resource countries are generally the main target of global health due to their poor health. Research shows the lower the individuals' socioeconomic position, the worse their health outcome is.[5] Low-resource countries are constantly battling with malnutrition, access to health care services, lack of clean water and sanitation. In addition, these countries can be involved in war and conflict making matters worse.

The following statistics provides perspective on issues people in low-income countries face daily:

  • over 2 billion people lack access to clean water
  • over 4.2 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitary services
  • over 3 billion people lack basic handwashing facilities[6]
  • 1/2 of the world lacks access to essential health care services[7]
  • approximately 800 million people are affected by hunger[8]
  • noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in developing countries
    • 80% of all NCDs deaths are in low-and middle-income countries[9]
    • Most common NCDs
      1. Cardiovascular disease (17.9 annually)
      2. cancers (9.3 million)
      3. chronic respiratory disease (4.1 million)
      4. diabetes (2.0 million)[10]

Determinants of Health[edit | edit source]

The goal of global health is to promote health, improve health equity and reduce health disparities.[1] Solving these issues is complex as health outcomes result from multiple factors. These interconnected factors are referred to as determinants of health and can be categorised into the following:

  1. genetics
  2. behaviour
  3. environment and physical influences
  4. medical care
  5. social

Social determinants of health (SDH) are circumstances in which humans are born, develop, live, earn, and age. Examples of SDH include economic conditions, housing, nutrition, the environment, transportation, and education. Intervention in this category has been determined to be the most successful means of enhancing people's well-being and raising disparities according to The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health. [11]

All determinants of health can each relate positively or negatively to health outcomes as seen is some of the examples below:

  • Income and social status:
    • higher social status and high income correlated to better health[12]
    • larger the gap between the wealthiest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health
  • Education:
    • lower education levels are correlated with poorer health, less self-confidence and more stress [13]
  • Physical environment;
    • safe water/houses/communities/roads all attribute to good health
    • clean air, healthy workplaces, employment lead to healthier outcomes
  • Social support networks:
    • more support from families, friends and communities relates to better health[13]
    • customs, beliefs and traditions affects health
  • Genetics:
    • plays a role in determining likelihood of developing certain illnesses
  • Personal behaviour:
    • healthy eating, staying active, smoking and drinking all affect health
  • Health services:
    • access and the use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
  • Gender:
    • diseases affect men and women differently and at different stages of life[14]

Sustainable Development Goals[edit | edit source]

In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges including improve health and education, reduce inequality and spurring economic growth. The 17 goals are interconnected and are listed below:

  1. No poverty
  2. Zero hunger
  3. Good health and well-being
  4. Quality education
  5. Gender equality
  6. Clean water and sanitation
  7. Affordable and clean energy
  8. Decent work and economic growth
  9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  10. Reduced inequalities
  11. Sustainable cities and communities
  12. Responsible consumption and prevention
  13. Climate action
  14. Life below water
  15. Life on land
  16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
  17. Partnerships for the goals[15]

As these goals are interrelated, achieving SDG 3 is only possible if other goals advance (i.e. efforts to end poverty-SDG 1, zero hunger-SDG 2, quality education-SDG 4 and clean water and sanitation-SDG 6).

Health inequalities remain uneven and the rate of reducing avoidable gaps is slower than anticipated. This decreased pace may be a result of:

  • environmental pollution
  • climate change
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • inequities in living conditions
  • economic disparities
  • lack of political will
  • institutional capabilities.

SDG 3 provides opportunities for stakeholders to promote health, strengthen disease prevention and increase overall planetary health.[16] The intention of the goals is to provide sustainable development by 2030.[17]

Resources[edit | edit source]

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. ↑ De Cock KM, Simone PM, Davison V, Slutsker L. The new global health. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013 Aug;19(8):1192.
  3. ↑ North Western Medicine Center for Global Health. What is Global Health? Available from: https://www.globalhealth.northwestern.edu/about/what-is-global-health.html
  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. ↑ World Health Organization. Social Determinants of Health. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
  6. ↑ World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who
  7. ↑ World Health Organization. 2017. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/13-12-2017-world-bank-and-who-half-the-world-lacks-access-to-essential-health-services-100-million-still-pushed-into-extreme-poverty-because-of-health-expenses
  8. ↑ World Health Organization. 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/06-07-2022-un-report--global-hunger-numbers-rose-to-as-many-as-828-million-in-2021#:~:text=(1)%20It%20is%20estimated%20that,19%20pandemic%20and%20related%20restrictions.
  9. ↑ Ndubuisi NE. Noncommunicable diseases prevention in low-and middle-income countries: an overview of health in all policies (HiAP). INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. 2021 Aug;58:0046958020927885.
  10. ↑ World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases. 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases#:~:text=Key%20facts,%2D%20and%20middle%2Dincome%20countries.
  11. ↑ Chelak K, Chakole S. The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Promoting Health Equality: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Jan 5;15(1).
  12. ↑ Kontodimopoulos N. The association between social development and population health: a cross-sectional study across countries of different economic growth. Research in Health Services & Regions. 2022 Jun 22;1(1):2.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Gumà J, Solé-Auró A, Arpino B. Examining social determinants of health: the role of education, household arrangements and country groups by gender. BMC public health. 2019 Dec;19:1-9.
  14. ↑ World Health Organization. Determinants of Health. 2017. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/determinants-of-health#:~:text=Income%20and%20social%20status%20%2D%20higher,stress%20and%20lower%20self%2Dconfidence.
  15. ↑ United Nations. Sustainable Development Goals. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  16. ↑ Menne B, Aragon de Leon E, Bekker M, Mirzikashvili N, Morton S, Shriwise A, Tomson G, Vracko P, Wippel C. Health and well-being for all: an approach to accelerating progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries in the WHO European Region. European journal of public health. 2020 Mar 1;30(Supplement_1):i3-9.
  17. ↑ Sianes A, Vega-Muñoz A, Tirado-Valencia P, Ariza-Montes A. Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on the academic research agenda. A scientometric analysis. PLoS One. 2022 Mar 17;17(3):e0265409.
Retrieved from "https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Overview_of_Global_Health&oldid=339590"