Issues in Global Health Minority Women in Medicine October 25, 2006
Dec 22, 2015
Global Health Challenges:some statistics…
1 Billion people lack access to health care systems
Around 11 million children under age 5 die from malnutrition and mostly preventable diseases each year
In 2002, almost 11 million people died of infectious diseases alone
Global Health Challenges:some statistics…
AIDS/HIV has spread rapidly. UNAIDS estimates for 2005 that there were roughly: 40 million living with HIV (most in Africa,
25.8 million) 4.9 million new HIV infections (mostly in
Africa, 3.2 million) 3.1 million AIDS-related deaths, (mostly in
Africa, 2.4 million)
Global Health Challenges:some statistics… There are 8.8 million new cases and
1.75 million deaths from TB each year Malaria causes more than 300 million
acute illnesses and at least 1 million deaths, annually
More than 500,000 people, mostly children, died from measles in 2003- EVEN though effective immunization costs just $30 US per person, and has been available for 40 years
Global Health Challenges: Beyond AIDS/HIV… AIDS/HIV is a terrible disease, but there are
conditions beyond it that are even more debilitating, and not as well known
Ex: Kwashiorkor: a form of malnutrition caused by
inadequate protein intake Infectious Diseases: many already have vaccines
that are not available to developing nations Malaria TB STDs
Global Health Challenges:Infectious Disease Despite medical advances, infectious diseases
still occupy most of the top ten causes of death worldwide
More than 90% of the deaths from infectious disease are caused by only a few culprits: Lower respiratory infections HIV/AIDS Diarrhea TB Malaria Measles
Global Health Challenges:Infectious Disease
“Neglected” Infectious Diseases: Trachoma – contagious disease of the eye;
leading cause of blindness in Asia/Africa Intestinal parasites Leprosy – still afflicts 3 million worldwide Dengue Yellow fever Many, many more…
Global Health Challenges:Infectious Diseases WHY?
Biological, Social and Economic factors: Evolving human migration patterns Antibiotic resistance Cultural stigmas especially in relation to the
spread of STDs Poverty
Poor nutrition compromised immune systems Overcrowded living conditions more vulnerable
to communicable diseases Limited access to healthcare/drugs
Ten Leading Causes of Death in the US, 2003
Rank Cause
1 Heart Disease
2 Malignant Neoplasms (cancer)
3 Cerbrovascular Disease
4 Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
5 Unintentional Injuries
6 Diabetes Mellitus
7 Influenza and pneumonia
8 Alzheimer’s Disease
9 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis
10 SepticemiaSource: US National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2005.
Global Healthcare Issues…Universal Health Care 1 BILLION people lack access to health care….
All residents of a geographic/political entity have their health care paid for by the government – regardless of medical condition or financial status
Universal Health Care
Nations with universal health care:
Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Canada Cuba Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Japan
The Netherlands New Zealand Norway Portugal Russia Saudi Arabia Seychelles South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden China United Kingdom
Universal Health Care: Support Health care is a right/entitlement. Ensuring the health of all citizens
benefits a nation economically. Health care increasingly unaffordable for
businesses and individuals. Reduces wastefulness and inefficiencies
in the delivery of health care.
Universal Health Care:Support Reduces the severity of epidemics by reducing
the number of disease carriers Aligns incentives for investment in long term
health care productivity, preventive care, and better management of chronic conditions
A centralized national database makes diagnosis and treatment easier for doctors.
Medical professionals can concentrate on treating patients rather than on administrative duties
Profit motive adversely affects the cost and quality of health care.
Universal Health Care: Opposition Increased waiting times Poorer quality of care, as opposed to
private healthcare Unequal access and health disparities
still exist Government agencies are less efficient
due to bureaucracy Must be funded with higher
taxes/spending cuts in other areas.
Universal Health Care: Opposition Profit motives, competition, and individual
ingenuity lead to greater cost control and effectiveness
Uninsured citizens can still receive emergency care from alternative sources such as non-profits and government-run hospitals
Government mandated procedures reduce doctor flexibility
Causes loss of insurance industry jobs and other business closures in the private sector
Interesting Articles…
A Lesson from Europe on Health Care
Hospitals Try Free Basic Care for Uninsured
Global Health Volunteering Opportunities International Volunteer Program Association:
http://www.volunteerinternational.org
Volunteer Abroad: http://www.volunteerabroad.com/search.cfm
Institute of International Education: http://www.iiepassport.org
Doctors Without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org