Global Issue: Infectious Diseases
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Infectious Diseases
One global health issue affecting the international community is the high prevalence of infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization (2017), infectious diseases significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for an estimated 13 million deaths yearly. Infectious diseases have become a global health issue with serious impacts on the public.
Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, flu, measles, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other neglected tropical diseases significantly impact public health care systems at various levels (WHO, 2017). At the national level, infectious diseases can increase healthcare costs and reduce economic productivity, undermining a country's development and stability. Infectious diseases can also significantly impact regional and continental public health care systems. For example, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2016 highlighted the need for more robust health systems and better preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks. The outbreak resulted in many deaths and had a far-reaching impact on the healthcare systems and economies of the affected countries. At the global level, infectious diseases pose significant challenges for public health organizations and governments. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant infections, such as drug-resistant tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant bacteria, threaten to undermine progress in controlling infectious diseases.
In order to address the impact of infectious diseases on public healthcare systems, international efforts have focused on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Also, strengthening health systems and improving access to healthcare services are other key measures (Yang, 2021). Global health organizations such as WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria have significantly supported these efforts by developing policies, guidelines, and funding for research and interventions. Therefore, infectious diseases remain a significant global health issue that profoundly impacts public healthcare systems at multiple levels (Yang, 2021). Addressing this issue will require continued investment in the mitigation, diagnosis, and infectious diseases treatment, as well as strengthening health systems and improving access to healthcare services.
Healthcare delivery systems collaborate to address global health issues through partnerships and collaborations that bring together various stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, academic institutions, and private sector entities (Pinder, 2022). Healthcare delivery systems work collaboratively through global health initiatives and partnerships. These initiatives bring together various stakeholders to improve health outcomes and address worldwide health challenges such as infectious diseases and others. In order to fund initiatives to control and prevent these diseases, for instance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria joins together governments, civil society, and the commercial sector. Another way in which healthcare delivery systems work collaboratively is through knowledge sharing and capacity building. NGOs and other institutions are crucial in building capacity and strengthening health systems through training programs and technical assistance.
Stakeholders that work on global health issues include governments, international organizations, NGOs, private sector entities, and academic institutions (Pinder, 2022). Governments are critical in setting policies, funding, and implementing programs to improve health outcomes. International organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank provide global technical assistance and funding for health programs in impoverished countries. NGOs are critical in delivering health services and providing technical assistance in program design and implementation. Private sector entities, including pharmaceutical companies, also play a crucial role in addressing global health challenges by developing and providing medicines and vaccines.
Infectious diseases are a serious global health problem affecting the general public. Addressing such global health challenges requires collaboration and partnership among stakeholders like the government, NGOs, and private sector organizations. Healthcare delivery systems work collaboratively to address these challenges through initiatives, partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. Governments, international organizations, NGOs, private sector entities, and academic institutions are critical in addressing global health challenges and improving health outcomes worldwide.
References
Pinder, S. (2022). Health partnerships: an effective response to the global health agenda. Www.biomedcentral.com. https://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/healthpartnerships
Rooney, A. (2012). Infectious diseases. Smart Apple Media.
World Health Organization. (2017). Communicable Diseases. WHO | Regional Office for Africa. https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/communicable-diseases