GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND TRENDS

THE IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL HEALTH

So what is global health and why is global health important? Global

health is important because our world has become interconnected, and
our health as individual human beings is influenced by global health
issues. The increase in global trade and travel in recent decades has
provided benefits, but there are also related problems. These take the
form of infectious diseases and pandemics, such as COVID-19, but also
other trends, such as non-communicable diseases in wealthier countries
related to obesity.

The WHO lists 13 health global health challenges, but six cover the most
important trends. 

1. Noncommunicable diseases 

As deaths from infectious diseases have fallen, non-communicable

diseases have become leading causes of death. Cancer, heart disease, and
conditions related to obesity have proved difficult challenges even to the
best health systems. Meanwhile, cancer has become a leading cause of
death in countries with high levels of pollution and relatively long life
expectancy. 

2. Infectious disease and pandemics

Infectious diseases do not respect national borders, as was illustrated

during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, politics, development policies,
and damage to the environment also play a role. Pandemics can also
show gaps in preparation and containment. Many other infectious
diseases have been killers for decades, including HIV/AIDS, malaria,
Ebola, and influenza.

3. Food supplies

Hunger and starvation remain a global health problem, despite

significant improvement in food security over recent decades. Even in
wealthier countries, natural disasters can expose political and economic
inequalities, and infrastructure is strained by growth and environmental
change. Human beings rely on only a handful of animal and plant species
for most of their calories, and these food supplies face an array of
threats. Threats to food supplies include diseases that infect livestock,
invasive pests, loss of genetic diversity, and climate change. 

4. Environmental factors

The environment influences the global health definition in a variety of

ways. Some scientists believe the virus that causes COVID-19 originally
crossed over from a wild animal, partly because of human encroachment
on what was once wilderness. Ebola and HIV also emerged from animals
in crossover infections.  As people spread more into formerly wild areas
and come into contact with previously isolated animals, new infectious
diseases may emerge. Thus, protecting the wilderness from
development can also protect human beings. 

Environmental pollution also impacts human health, and pollution

released by one country can spread across national borders. Polluted air
causes illness and millions of early deaths each year, especially in urban
areas of Asia. Polluted water can poison people and animal life alike. 

There is also cross-specialty research into the health impacts caused by

climate change. As temperatures grow warmer, tropical diseases are
reaching new areas, impacting the health of patients in areas once free of
the disease. 

5. Inequality

Some countries have advanced healthcare systems that are affordable

and available to all patients. Other parts of the world, especially less
wealthy countries, have less developed healthcare systems, and millions
of people struggle to access care. Lack of access to healthcare, whether
for financial or other reasons, contributes to millions of premature
deaths each year. 

6. Healthcare in war zones

There are growing numbers of attacks against healthcare workers.

International law forbids attacking healthcare workers or facilities, but
the WHO recorded more than 300 such attacks in a recent report. Health
care providers are sometimes deliberately attacked, and even hospitals
have been bombed. 

Lasting conflicts often displace thousands or even millions of people,

who may be crowded into refugee camps, where infectious diseases can
spread rapidly. International organizations such as Doctors Without
Borders, the WHO, and the United Nations (UN) work to provide
healthcare to refugees and others whose health has been impacted by
conflict. 

6 PROMINENT GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES TO BE

AWARE OF
1. PANDEMICS
According to an article published in the Bulletin of the World Health
Organization, pandemics are defined as global disease outbreaks.
Examples of pandemics include certain influenza outbreaks, COVID-19,
and other viral threats that reflect our vulnerability to widespread
diseases—many of which originate in animals.

Every year, there are newly emerging pandemic threats. Vaccination

efforts can help, but it’s critical to address issues at the source by
addressing important areas like health education and responsible
agricultural practices. Researchers have also made recommendations
on global risk mitigation measures that can help even after an outbreak
occurs.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
How can air pollution and climate change affect the health of the human
population? In most cases, the answer lies in water sources and
sanitation.

Storms, flooding, droughts, and air pollution make it easier for diseases
to spread across large groups of people. The immediate solution is to
provide resources like bottled water and sanitation technology, but
global health must also focus on the prevention of environmental
challenges in the first place.

“Climate change is thought by many global health experts to be the

greatest threat to human health,” Dr. Macpherson says. “Global policies
to mitigate mankind’s contribution to climate change are gaining
traction.”
3. ECONOMIC DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO
HEALTH CARE
Despite relentless progress in the field of medicine, communities across
the world still lack access to basic health education and health care. This
results in health disparities, such as high infant mortality rates, which
are often related to geography. Other disparities are the result of income
inequality, with individuals and families simply unable to afford health
care that is otherwise unavailable.

To solve these economic challenges, global health professionals must

explore opportunities to uplift underrepresented communities in public
health forums, encourage physicians to practice in remote areas, and
introduce policies that reduce barriers and increase access to health
care.

4. POLITICAL FACTORS
Inadequate access to health care is exacerbated when international
politics enter the mix. As conflicts within or between nations destroy
critical infrastructure, average citizens become more vulnerable to
diseases. This leads them to seek opportunities to flee the dangerous
situations that threaten their well-beings.
Migration can allow illnesses to quickly spread, but organizations like
the WHO stress that solutions should aim to improve refugee and
migrant health through efforts like organizing across borders to endorse
policies that bridge short-term humanitarian crisis responses with long-
term health care access improvements.

5. NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and other noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs) account for 70 percent of all deaths worldwide,
according to the WHO.

Education plays a role in the prevention of NCDs, helping populations

understand and change lifestyle factors, such as poor diets, inactivity,
tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. But there is also a correlation
between income level and the prevalence of NCDs.

The WHO notes that 85 percent of premature NCD-related deaths occur

in low- and middle-income countries. Reducing the number of NCDs
globally means reducing the factors that disproportionately arise in
lower-income communities.

6. ANIMAL HEALTH, FOOD SOURCING, AND SUPPLY

The study of veterinary public health, which some students pursue by
obtaining a dual degree in veterinary medicine and public health, makes
it clear that animal wellness is naturally intertwined with that of
humans. Perhaps the clearest connection occurs within the food chain,
but animals are also relied upon for transportation, draught power, and
clothing in developing areas.

Agricultural practices, including irrigation, pesticide use, and waste

management, can influence animal health, making disease transmission
a concern at every stage of the food supply chain. With pathogens
originating from animals or animal products playing such a significant
role in disease transmission, veterinary medicine must be included in
any effort to improve global health.

The Importance of Diversity in Healthcare & How to Promote It

June 17, 2020in Featured, Health /by Alyssa Jordan

Understanding the Benefits of Diversity for the Healthcare Workforce

and for Patients
Diversity: It’s important in life, it’s important in culture, and
it’s incredibly  important in healthcare. So important, in fact, that lives
literally depend on it.
Think of the countless individuals who enter hospitals and clinics every
day looking for help. They include people from every race, creed, gender,
and age—a melting pot of humanity. And to best communicate,
understand, and treat those patients with the best care possible, it’s vital
they see themselves within the healthcare workforce.
But what makes diversity in the healthcare industry so important? And
how should the healthcare industry achieve that diversity?
In this article, we will attempt to answer some of these critical questions.
Continue reading to learn more about the meaning of healthcare
diversity, its benefits, and examples of its successful application in the
real world.

What is Diversity in Healthcare?

In modern society, healthcare diversity can refer to a number of
qualities, including but not limited to the following characteristics:

 Race
 Ethnicity
 Gender
 Age
 Sexual orientation
  Religion
 Political beliefs
 Education
 Physical abilities and disabilities
 Socioeconomic background
 Language
 Culture

Why is Healthcare Diversity So Important?

Diversity in the workplace carries a host of benefits for healthcare
employers, their staff, and their patients. Those benefits include:

Higher Employee Morale

Diversity creates a stronger feeling of inclusion and community for

healthcare workers, which makes the workplace feel safer and more
enjoyable.

Better Care for Diverse Populations

A healthcare staff should be as diverse, if not more diverse, than the

patient base they are treating. This helps ensure that no matter who
walks through the door, there is someone on staff who can identify with
them, communicate with them, and better serve their individual needs.

Higher Employee Retention

This goes hand-in-hand with improved morale. The happier and safer
healthcare workers feel in the workplace, the longer they will stay.

Better Recruitment

A commitment to diversity helps when recruiting new healthcare

workers and administrative staff. It allows you to cast a wider net to
attracted new talent and it offers a stronger hiring proposition for
candidates who may consider working at your hospital or clinic.

Stronger Individual Motivation

When there is a lack of diversity, minority healthcare workers may feel
stifled or unable to express their unique talents and personality traits.
This is a natural inclination for people when they are more concerned
with fitting in as opposed to “being themselves.” That added pressure
can lead to increased stress, reduced morale, and it may event inhibit
them from speaking up when their perspective is needed most. A diverse
work environment sends the message that a worker’s cultural and
ethnic background is an advantage that should be respected, if not
celebrated.

Better Problem Solving

A wide range of perspectives can lead to more creative solutions when

solving problems during an emergency or even during routine patient-
care. Allowing for new ideas and diverse perspectives can also lead to
greater innovation and operational excellence.

Better Results

As illustrated by our section on healthcare diversity statistics (below),

diverse healthcare teams get better results, period. The data show us
that medical teams who embrace diversity provide better healthcare.
Final note on the benefits of healthcare diversity—
It’s worth mentioning that while diversity is important, diversity without
inclusion is ineffective. Not only do healthcare teams need to represent a
variety of backgrounds, but each member needs to be given a voice.

What are the Risks of Lacking Healthcare Diversity?

Just as healthcare diversity has its advantages, there are major risks that
can be attributed to the lack of diversity.

Communication Breakdown

Be it the result of a language barrier, differences in philosophy,

differences in cultural norms (& expectations), or even cultural bias,
lack of diversity can lead to communication breakdown with patients.
And when patients cannot fully communicate or express their needs,
dangerous mistakes can occur.
Limited Perspectives

Lack of healthcare diversity can lead to limited perspective when

providing patients with medical care, psychological treatment, and
social support. It can stunt innovation and creative thinking, but more
importantly, it could impede critical observations surrounding a
patient’s diagnosis, medical history, or other socio-economic factors that
may affect their health and well-being.

Lack of Role Models

Mentorship plays a critical role in our medical system. Doctors, nurses,

medical assistants, and administrative personnel will always need the
support of a mentor to guide them in their respective professions. It’s
important for healthcare workers to have role models they can look up
to and emulate throughout their careers. A lack of diversity can make it
difficult for minority healthcare workers to find mentors with whom
they identify and learn from. In turn, this can thwart their professional
growth and their ability to provide the best patient care.

Lack of Future Diversity

Albeit an obvious consequence, it is an important one to the future

success of any healthcare organization. The less diverse your medical
staff is today, the harder it will be to foster it within your team
tomorrow.

Bias

Bias does not always have to be explicitly expressed within a healthcare

setting for it to become a problem. Bias can still impact decisions made
for patients when it is embedded in the policies and procedures of a
healthcare organization. This is referred to implicit bias within a system.
Greater diversity can stymie the destructive effects of implicit bias in
patient care.

Diversity is Vital to Patient Care

Creating diversity in healthcare isn’t just important, it’s vital. Language,
culture, and ethnicity can easily create barriers, and in an industry
where lives hang in the balance and every second could mean the
difference between life and death, delays and obstacles can quickly
become deadly.
But diversity isn’t something that can be created overnight. It requires a
leadership dedicated to increasing cultural awareness and inclusion. It
requires co-workers who are willing to take the time to learn about each
other. It means being willing to identify and address personal biases.
And it means boldly opening ourselves up to discomfort for the greater
good of our patients.