HEALTH TRENDS, I S S U E S
AND CO N C E R N
(GLOBAL LEVEL)
The term “global health” rose in
popularity along with the rise of
globalization.
Both terms improved public awareness
of vulnerabilities and shared
responsibilities among people for the
different injustices in the
world.
Global Health - pertains to various health
issues, concerns, and trends which go beyond
national boundaries and call for global
initiatives for the protection and promotion of
peoples’ health across the world.- Ilona Kickbush
(2006)
Global Health is an area for study, research and
practice that prioritizes health improvement and
achieving impartiality in healthcare and
wellness worldwide.- Koplan and Associates
(2009)
GLOBAL HEALTH - Diverse
health issues, concerns and
trends which call for all
nations to address and act on
to promote and protect health
of individuals and groups
across boundaries.
WO R LD H E A LT H O RGA NI ZAT I O N (WHO):
The primary international body
responsible for developing
leadership in health, setting norms
and standards and providing health
support among nations around the
world.
Global Health Initiatives
These are programs and projects which help
address global health issues, concerns and
trends.
Q U I C K WINS -- U N D P intervention
program which refers to actions that
can be immediately used within the
community or locale to produce
effective results. (See page 272-273)
* U N D P – United Nations Development Program
U N D P ’ s Q U I C K WINS
• No school fees and free access to
educational materials.
• Re g u l a r a n n u a l d e w o r m i n g f o r a l l
school children.
• D e s i g n n u t r i t i o n p r o g ra m f o r
pregnant , nursing mothers and
children below 5y/o.
• Fr e e b a s i c h e a l t h s e r v i c e s .
Global Health Initiatives
• Global fight against communicable diseases
Stop TB
Roll Back Malaria
• Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations
• Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS Malaria and
other diseases
• Global prevention and Control of Tobacco and
alcohol use
• Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of
Alcohol
• Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control
of Non- Communicable Diseases.
• Global initiatives for Mental Health
These are goals set by the United Nations for
its member- nations to be fulfilled on an
agreed span of time (2015) to be evaluated
and counter-checked under world standards.
U N created M D G in 2000 in effort to improve
life in developing regions by 2015
The United Nations (UN) is an
international organization that works to
maintain international peace and security,
promote human rights, and develop
friendly relations between nations.
1. E R A D I C AT E E X T R E M E P OV E RT Y A N D
HUNGER –
Developing countries particularly in Africa and Asia
suffer from extreme poverty and hunger. Poverty and hunger
leads to severe malnutrition which leads to lifelong physical
and cognitive (learning and reasoning) damage and affects
health, well-being and the economy.
Some key suggestions to eradicate
poverty and hunger are :
Education
Promoting gender equality
Producing more jobs
Investing more in agriculture
Strengthened nutrition programs for children
2. A C H I E V E U N I V E R S A L PRIMARY E D U C AT I O N –
Persons, particularly women who are educated, are more likely to
seek medical care especially during pregnancy, ensuring proper
nutrition for their family, adopting healthy sanitary practices
and ensuring immunization of children. As an effect, infants and
childrenhave better survival rates, are healthier and better
nourished. If these are attained, children who receive primary
education are more likely to:
Marry and have their own families at a later stage in life
Practice family planning and have fewer children
Know rights, responsibilities and civic obligations
Seek employment and sustain personal and family needs
Have decreased risk of getting sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS
3. P RO M OT E G E N D E R E Q UA L I T Y & E M P O W E R
WO M E N –
Gender equality means equal representation of men and
women. It implies that all gender should have equal value
and treatment. Equal gender treatment empowers women
and other groups creating opportunities in education, work,
finances, and other aspects which improves the economy
and lessen effects of financial crises.
Gender equality can be achieved through:
Early childhood development intervention
Promotion of women’s political rights and involvement
Improved reproductive health programs and policies
Education and integrating gender equality in school curriculum
Improved women’s access to work and strengthened labor policies for women
4. R E D U C E C H I L D MORTALITY - Programs and
policies which help reduce child mortality like
improving nutritional intake, healthcare facilities
and infrastructure, and other fields which improve
children’s lives. Strengthening local and national
health programs and policies is one
way to reduce child mortality.
This includes:
Immunization programs
Assuring the survival and better health of mothers
Improving reproductive health programs and policies
Better nutrition program for infants and children
5. I M P ROV E D M ATE RNA L H E A LT H - is not only
about mother’s health but also involves the health and
wellness of the family. Maternal health also helps
eradicate other problems like poverty,
gender inequality, decreased workforce,
lower birth deaths, and disability of women.
Some ways to improve maternal health include:
Improved and proper nutrition of mothers
Teaching the benefits of birth spacing and small family size
Educating young boys and girls about the importance of maternal
health
Better and improved access to hospital care especially obstetric-
gynecology, prenatal and postnatal care
6. COMBAT HIV/AIDS MALAR IA A N D OT H E R D I S E A S E S –
Emerging and re-emerging diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria,
influenza and other diseases affect productivity and growth of
nations. Some of the effects of disease outbreak are loss of jobs,
shortage in professional workers, and creating social crises. Children
are the most vulnerable and are exposed to exploitation and abuse
undermining their normal growth and development. Some ways to
combat diseases include effective prevention, treatment and care
Like:
Improved housing conditions
Increased access to anti-malarial medicines
Promoting safer sex behavior and preventive education for all
Promoting Tuberculosis (TB) screening of HIV/AIDS persons and
TB - Directly Observed Treatment Short (TB-DOTS) Course therapy
Promoting the use of insecticide-treated nets to fight mosquito-borne diseases
7. E N S U R E E N V I RO N M E N TA L S U STA I NA B I L I T Y -
Investing and supporting sustainable energy like solar, wind
and
water energy help support jobs, create business
opportunities, and save remaining non-renewable energy
sources. Environmental sustainability assures peoples to
live healthier and enjoy a clean and green environment.
Some of the benefits of a sustainable
environment are:
Cleaner air and environment
Clean, environment-friendly, and
renewable energy
New and aspiring jobs and
8. G L O B A L PA RT N E RS H I P F O R D E V E L O P M E N T - The
United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank
and
governments work together to make sure there is fair trade
and that heavily indebted countries obtain relief and funds
to combat poverty, malnutrition and funds for education and
social projects.
Some benefits of global partnership are:
Expanded international trade agreements
Improved access to affordable medicine
Reduced poverty through government debt relief grant
Developed information and communication technology (ICT)
1. Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
4. Ensure environmental sustainability
5. Promote gender equality and empower women
6. Reduce child mortality
7. Global partnership for Development
8. Improve maternal health
T H E 10 G L O B A L H E A LT H
TRENDS, ISSUES, AND
CONCERNS
1. T U B E RC U L O S I S
Commonly known as TB (Tubercle
Bacillus, is a bacterial infection that can
spread through the lymph nodes and
bloodstream to any organ in your body. It
is often most found in the lungs.
2. DRUG U S E & ABUSE
It is patterned use of a drug
in which the user
consumes the drug
substance in amounts or
with methods which are
3. HIV /
A IItDS
is transmitted primarily via
unprotected sexual intercourse,
contaminated blood transfusions,
hypodermic needles, and from
mother to child during pregnancy,
delivery, or breastfeeding.
4. NON- C O M M U N I C A B L E D I S E AS E
(NCD)
can refer to chronic diseases which
last for long periods of time and
progress slowly.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE -
Also known as infectious disease or
transmissible diseases.
- These are illnesses that result
from the infection, presence and
growth of pathogenic biologic
agents in humans.
C L I MATE C H A N G E
A change in global or regional climate patterns
attributed directly or indirectly to human
activity.
•“Global Warming” in sheep’s
clothing. A long-term change in the
Earth’s climate.
• A long-term change in the
M E N TA L H E A LT H
-It is a level of psychological
well-being and the absence
of a mental disorder.
I MM U NI ZATI O N & VACC I N E S
- It is the safe and effective use of a
small amount of a weakened and
killed virus or bacteria or bits of lab
made protein that imitate the virus in
order to prevent infection by the
same virus or bacteria.
When you get an immunization, you’re injected with the weakened form or a
disease. This triggers your body’s immune response, causing it to either produce
antibodies and the like.
A L C O H O L & T O B AC C O ABUSE/ADDICTION
The excessive consumption of alcohol and
tobacco.
- Causes communicable and non
communicable diseases.
MALA R I A / O T H E R VECTOR- B O R N E
MALA R I A causes symptoms that typically
include fever, fatigue, vomiting and
headaches. In severe cases, it can cause
yellow skin, seizures, coma or death.
V E C T O R S are living organisms that can
transmit infectious diseases between
humans or from animals
There are 195 countries in the world
today. This total comprises 193 countries
that are member states of the United
Nations and 2 countries that are non-
member observer states: the Holy See
and the State of Palestine.
