19.2 Global Health
3 min read•june 18, 2024
shape global well-being, from economic stability to neighborhood conditions. These factors create stark differences between high and low-income countries, affecting disease burdens, healthcare infrastructure, and health expenditure.
create barriers to healthcare access worldwide. , geographic divides, and gender inequalities all play crucial roles in determining who can access quality healthcare and who faces significant challenges in obtaining necessary medical services.
Social Determinants of Global Health
Social factors in health outcomes
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- Social determinants of health shape population well-being
- Economic stability influences health through income level and employment status
- Education access and quality impact literacy rates and years of schooling completed
- Social and community context involves social support networks and experiences of discrimination and social exclusion
- Health and healthcare encompass access to primary care and health insurance coverage
- Neighborhood and built environment include housing conditions and exposure to environmental pollution
- is a key goal in addressing social determinants of health
Health challenges of high vs low-income countries
- Burden of disease varies by country income level
- High-income countries face more (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes and mental health disorders
- Low-income countries bear a greater burden of communicable diseases such as , , and and maternal and child health issues
- measures impact health challenges across different regions
- Healthcare infrastructure differs by economic development
- High-income countries have well-developed healthcare systems with advanced medical technology and resources
- Low-income countries often have inadequate healthcare facilities and personnel and limited access to essential medicines and supplies
- is crucial for improving healthcare infrastructure globally
- Health expenditure reflects economic disparities
- High-income countries have higher per capita health expenditure and greater investment in research and development
- Low-income countries have lower per capita health expenditure and often rely on external funding and aid for health initiatives
Socioeconomic Disparities and Healthcare Access
Socioeconomic disparities in healthcare access
- Income inequality creates healthcare barriers
- Poverty and financial constraints lead to inability to afford healthcare services and medications, often forcing prioritization of basic needs over preventive care
- Wealth concentration enables exclusive access to high-quality private healthcare for the affluent, widening the gap in health outcomes between rich and poor
- Geographic disparities limit healthcare reach
- results in concentration of healthcare resources in urban areas while rural and remote regions face limited healthcare infrastructure
- Marginalized communities such as indigenous populations, refugees, and migrants face inadequate healthcare access compounded by language and cultural barriers to seeking care
- Gender inequalities impact healthcare equity
- Women's health challenges include limited access to reproductive and maternal healthcare and higher vulnerability to gender-based violence and discrimination
- Unequal decision-making power leaves women lacking autonomy in healthcare choices and dependent on male family members for healthcare access
Global Health Initiatives and Governance
- aims to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all without financial hardship
- include health-related targets to address global health challenges
- involves international cooperation and policy-making to address health issues
- reflects changes in disease patterns as countries develop economically
Key Terms to Review (15)
Epidemiological Transition: The epidemiological transition is a theory that describes the changing patterns of population age distributions, mortality, and disease profiles as societies progress from pre-modern to modern conditions. It is a framework for understanding the complex shifts in the major causes of morbidity and mortality that occur as countries and populations develop economically and socially.
Global Burden of Disease: The global burden of disease is a comprehensive assessment of mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors for all regions of the world. It quantifies the impact of different diseases and risk factors on population health, helping to guide public health policy and resource allocation.
Global Health Governance: Global health governance refers to the complex web of actors, institutions, and processes involved in addressing global health challenges and shaping international health policy. It encompasses the coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental, to promote and protect the health of populations worldwide.
Health Equity: Health equity refers to the fair and just distribution of the conditions necessary for all people to achieve their full health potential, regardless of social, economic, or demographic factors. It is a fundamental principle in the pursuit of optimal health and well-being for all individuals and communities.
Health Systems Strengthening: Health systems strengthening refers to the process of improving the performance and resilience of a country's health system to better serve the population's health needs. It involves enhancing the various components that make up a health system, such as service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, health financing, and governance.
HIV/AIDS: HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, which are crucial for fighting off infections. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the most severe stage of the infection. This term is particularly relevant in the context of global health and health in the United States, as HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on both international and domestic public health.
Income Inequality: Income inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income and wealth within a population or across different segments of society. It is a measure of the disparity in the financial resources and standard of living between individuals, households, or nations.
Malaria: Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. It is a major global health concern, particularly in developing countries, and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Non-Communicable Diseases: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a group of chronic, non-infectious health conditions that are not transmitted from person to person. These diseases typically develop gradually and are often associated with lifestyle factors, genetic predispositions, and environmental influences.
Social Determinants of Health: Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that shape their overall health and well-being. These factors, often outside of an individual's control, can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health outcomes.
Socioeconomic Disparities: Socioeconomic disparities refer to the unequal distribution of social and economic resources and opportunities among different groups within a population. These disparities can manifest in various aspects of life, including health, education, income, and access to essential services.
Sustainable Development Goals: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' They were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. The SDGs are relevant to the topics of global health and comparative health and medicine, as they address key challenges related to improving the overall well-being and quality of life for people around the world.
Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also spread to other parts of the body. TB is a major global health concern, particularly in developing countries, and is one of the leading causes of death from an infectious disease worldwide.
The term 'tuberculosis' is closely connected to the topic of 19.2 Global Health, as it represents a significant public health challenge that disproportionately impacts low-income and middle-income nations. Understanding the nature, transmission, and impact of TB is crucial in addressing global health disparities and developing effective strategies to combat this disease.
Universal Health Coverage: Universal health coverage (UHC) is a healthcare system that ensures all individuals and communities have access to the health services they need, including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care, without financial hardship. It is a key component of sustainable development and a fundamental goal for global health.
Urban-Rural Divide: The urban-rural divide refers to the social, economic, and cultural differences between urban and rural areas. It encompasses the disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and quality of life between people living in cities and those residing in rural or remote regions.