Global Health: Diseases Have No Borders

When it comes to our own health, we cannot ignore the rest of the world. Hopefully, we care about humanity as a whole, but what happens outside our country impacts our national health as well. In addition to the obvious links with such diseases as Ebola, measles, and influenza pandemics, there are other global health threats such as air pollution, political conflicts and lack of access to healthcare (https://www.who.int/emergencies/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019).

The following are currently the Top Ten Global Health Threats according to the World Health Organization (WHO):

1. Air pollution and climate change: Pollutants (microscopic) in the air penetrate the lungs, heart and brain. According to WHO, 9 out of 10 of us are breathing high levels of pollutants. There are two types of air pollution: outdoor or ambient air pollution and indoor or household pollution. As a result, air pollution causes one third of global deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease (https://www.who.int/air-pollution/news-and-events/how-air-pollution-is-destroying-our-health). That translates to 7 million deaths per year. Air pollution impacts children more significantly, and it is now linked to pediatric cancer. It is well known that the primary cause of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. If that is not enough to cause concern then perhaps the cost will give you a jolt: The health-impact cost of air pollution is greater than 4 % of the GNP or $5.11 trillion annually (https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/05-12-2018-health-benefits-far-outweigh-the-costs-of-meeting-climate-change-goals).
   
2. Noncommunicable Diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease: Worldwide, 41 million people die annually from these three diseases and over one third die prematurely (between the ages of 30 and 69). The risk factors for these diseases are tobacco use, physical inactivity, abuse of alcohol, unhealthy diets and air pollution. These risk factors can be reduced, managed, or eliminated and yet these diseases remain in high numbers and are sadly having a profound impact on the health of the world.
   
3. Influenza Pandemics: The flu vaccine is effective and valuable, but it cannot possibly include every influenza strain. Up to 650,000 people die annually from seasonal influenza, but the pandemic death rates are even higher. A pandemic is an epidemic (disease spreading) that becomes widespread within a region, continent, or the world (https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4751).
   The WHO continually monitors the circulation of viruses in order to detect the strains that have the potential to become a pandemic, and these are among the strains selected for the seasonal flu vaccine each year.
   
4. Fragile and Vulnerable Settings: Although this typically refers to areas that are subject to drought, floods, and other natural disasters, vulnerable settings that impact the health of a nation also result from population displacement, wars, and political conflicts. In a recent article –10/7/19 NY Times – the story of a young man dying from a snakebite reflects how political conflicts impact the health of a country. The Indian government shut down Kashmir’s cellular network and set up roadblocks, resulting in a mother’s inability to get her son to a medical center that had the antivenin. The young man died from a snakebite that was treatable. This is one of many stories in Kashmir; people are suffering or dying as a result of barriers to healthcare in a vulnerable setting. We too need to consider the impact of political conflicts in our own country. What governmental decisions might impact our access to healthcare?
   
5. Antimicrobial resistance: It is becoming more and more challenging to fight off the “super bugs” (in the form of bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi), which are becoming dangerously drug resistant. This is happening currently with TB, various skin infections, gastrointestinal “bugs” and more. The medicines are simply not working, and people are dying from diseases which were previously curable.
   
6. Ebola Virus: Most of us know about this virus, which lacks effective treatment or a vaccine. The year, 2019, was designated as a “Year of action on preparedness for health emergencies” (https://www.who.int/emergencies/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019).
   
7. Weak Primary Health Care Systems or Lack of Access to Health Care
   
8. This is a worldwide problem. The ideal primary care system provides comprehensive, affordable, and community-based care. A good primary care system saves lives.
9. Vaccine Hesitancy: As a result of people’s reluctance or refusal to vaccinate, there are 2-3 million worldwide deaths per year. For example, due to this “vaccine hesitancy,” we have seen a 30% increase in measles globally  (https://www.who.int/emergencies/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019).
   
10. Dengue, a mosquito- borne disease: Approximately 40% of the globe is at risk for this disease and it is killing 20% of those who are infected when severe symptoms present.
    
11. HIV: Enormous progress has been made with HIV/AIDS, but it is still occurring in epidemic proportions.
    

“Diseases have no borders” (https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/index.html). We are an interconnected world, and if we want to protect the health of our nation, we must address the health issues on a global level.
 
Charlotte Michos is a clinical nurse specialist who values personal-centered care and serves as a Healthcare Consultant in helping others make informed decisions. For more information and products, visit www.besthealthconsultant.com or call (845) 548-5980.