Global Health Introduction

Session Overview

• Title: Global Health Introduction
• No disclosures for this presentation
• Objectives:
  • Discuss reasons to study global health
  • Review national immunization days and smallpox eradication as best practices
  • Discuss progress and challenges for global health
  • Address disparities
  • Review health linked to development
  • Discuss global collaboration
  • Define health, public health, and global health

Definition of Global Health

• Defined by the US Institute of Medicine:

  Health problems, issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries and may best be addressed by cooperative actions

Reasons to Study Global Health

1. Global connectivity: Diseases spread more easily due to increased travel and contact (e.g., influenza, COVID-19).
2. Impact on global security and freedom: Disease outbreaks destabilize countries and communities.
3. Ethical considerations: High rates of preventable diseases and malnutrition pose ethical questions about global responsibility.
   • Examples: child malnutrition, lack of medical care, impacts on education and productivity.

Importance of Global Health Studies

• Surveillance data: Anticipate and plan for disease outbreaks (e.g., Ebola, Measles, Zika, COVID-19).
• Program assessment: Inform public health practices and progress towards health goals.

Best Practices in Global Health

• National Immunization Days (NIDs):
  • 1995 Bangladesh polio campaign: 88% of children received the oral polio vaccine.
  • Immunization strategies can improve vaccination rates worldwide.
• Smallpox Eradication:
  • Last natural case in 1977; eradicated by 1980.
  • Lessons learned: Ring vaccination strategy effective for eradication.

Progress and Challenges in Global Health

• Progress:
  • Child mortality rates have decreased.
  • Life expectancy in developing countries has increased.
  • Polio nearing elimination; measles deaths reduced.
• Challenges:
  • High child mortality rates.
  • Maternal mortality and diseases like tuberculosis, West Nile virus, and dengue.

Health Disparities

• Examples:
  • Life expectancy disparities (e.g., Malawi vs. Japan)
  • Healthcare access varies widely.
  • Significant difference in health outcomes based on demographics.

Link Between Health and Development

• Poor health impacts economic growth and stability.
• Health challenges hinder productivity and institutional performance.

Importance of Collaboration

• Global health issues require innovative ideas and resources.
• Collaboration between various sectors is essential for improvement.

Definitions

• Health (WHO): Complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Public Health (C.E.A Winslow): Science and art of preventing disease and promoting health through organized community efforts.
• Global Health: Application of public health principles to international health problems.

Key Concepts in Global Health

• Determinants of health
• Measurement of health status
• Cultural importance in health
• Global burden of disease
• Health risk factors
• Health system organization and function

Summary

• Global interconnectivity affects health worldwide.
• Global health studies provide essential data for public health practices.
• Challenges include addressing disparities, linking health to development, and enhancing collaboration.
• Ethical considerations in global health are crucial.
• Public health plays a key role in facilitating global collaborations.