With the increasing global connectivity, it is quite probable that the impact of an event in one place may travel across other regions to affect larger populations. The current pandemic, i.e., COVID-19, is one such example. Its first case in China made it to the global news within seconds. Everyone brushed off its possibility to affect the global population considering the advancements in the medical field. However, the pandemic soon turned into a nightmare when every news channel and social media platform reported the spread of disease worldwide. Healthcare authorities and professionals struggled hard to find its cause.
We frequently hear it from healthcare experts to adopt preventative measures to control the spread of disease. Although practicing essential preventive measures can significantly help in managing public health issues. Still, to what extent can a person eliminate the cause of an underlying disease?
In the past, the world has witnessed many global pandemics like cholera or Spanish flu, costing millions of lives due to its global spread. Health issues have always been on the rise, and with time, health researchers and scientists found solutions to them. Despite the global progress, there are countries where diseases like polio, HIV, or other ailments are still prevalent. To understand global health concerns, healthcare experts collaborate with public health workers to research and provide appropriate solutions. Given the rise in global healthcare needs, several colleges and universities now offer online education programs to meet the supply and demand of the healthcare workforce. Each year, several students enroll themselves in various online healthcare degree programs that equip students with the right skills to mitigate healthcare issues.
In this article, we’ve discussed some reasons contributing to the growing health concerns globally.
- Environment
We often hear about climate change and how it brings harm to the world. The environment we live in has a direct impact on our health. From the food we eat to the quality of the air we breathe, everything significantly influences our health. Today, the modern world has more industries and vehicles that release harmful substances, be it in the form of water, gas, or solid wastes. A little disruption in our ecosystem can significantly affect our physical and mental wellbeing.
Many global health experts predict that climate change poses a significant threat to human health. Governments and other concerned authorities must devise strategies to reduce pollution and take measures to slow down climate change. It might not appear dangerous at the moment, but it significantly contributes to the growing global health concerns.
- Socioeconomic status and health inequalities
People living in urban and rural areas follow a different lifestyle. Those living in urban areas have less to worry about clean drinking water, electricity, or access to healthcare facilities compared to the latter ones. A person earning thousands of dollars a month can access the best food and healthcare facilities compared to those earning limited daily wages. Undoubtedly, socioeconomic status is one of the reasons for growing health concerns since people in rural areas lack the knowledge and resources to prevent the development of various health issues. Setting up free clinics, providing easy access to healthcare facilities, and creating awareness campaigns can reduce the spread of diseases in general.
- Pandemics
The world has seen enough pandemics in the past few decades. From HIV to SARS or COVID-19, these pandemics have given the world a tough time in controlling and combatting its consequences. The threat of emerging new pandemics is inevitable. However, implementing AI and Big Data technology in the current healthcare systems may help to deal with the rising health issues worldwide. These technologies are helpful in tracking and identifying the patterns associated with the development of new diseases.
The role of AI and Big Data has been crucial to deal with the rising effects of COVID-19, as people were able to report their systems through mobile apps. This not only made it easier to track the symptoms but also in identifying GPs locations of infected people to control the spread of disease.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Non-communicable diseases account for 70% of deaths worldwide. Heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, and cancer are some examples of non-communicable diseases. It can occur due to genetic reasons or external factors. For instance, one may develop cancer either due to a family history or prolonged exposure to carcinogens. Preventing NCDs can reduce the death ratio and other health concerns.
Educating people about early symptoms, risk factors, and prevention can also aid in reducing the incidence of NCDs. Studies suggest that three-quarters of NCD-related deaths happen in countries with lower or middle-income status. Taking steps to reduce NCDs means reducing the factors arising in lower and middle-income countries.
Conclusion
It is obvious that the economic growth and development of any country largely depend on its people. Countries with weak healthcare systems face detrimental effects on their economy. Several factors are responsible for the growing health concerns worldwide. Some of these are mentioned above. Government, healthcare departments, public health, and social workers can contribute a lot in spreading awareness about health and wellbeing.
Leave a Reply