Issues in Global Health

Minority Women in Medicine

October 25, 2006

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

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

Global Health Challenges:Infectious Disease

Top Ten Deadly Diseases of the Developing World

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

Websites to Check Out…

World Health Organization http://www.who.int

Global Health Council http://www.globalhealth.org

Global Health: US Department of Health and Human Services http://www.globalhealth.gov

USAID http://www.usaid.gov