Lecture Notes on Global Health Coverage and Major Health Issues

Vocabulary flashcards covering key global health concepts, diseases, causes, and recommended actions from Pages 1–3 of the notes.

Universal health coverage

All people have access to quality health services they need, including medicines and vaccines, when and where they need them, without facing hardship.

Maternal mortality

The number of mothers who die due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Cause of maternal mortality and action

unsafe abortion: women must have access to contraception and family planning services.

End preventable deaths of newborns and children under five cause and action

prematurity: Provide access to nutritious foods. Many children die from malnutrition, so it is important they are provided with nutritious food once breastfeeding has finished.

AIDS (HIV/AIDS)

A disease caused by HIV, transmitted through infected bodily fluids

Malaria

A disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes; can be fatal if untreated; prevention includes clean water/sanitation to reduce breeding grounds.

Tuberculosis

A lung disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis; spreads through the air via coughing or sneezing and can be fatal if untreated.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

A broad group of about 20 diseases in tropical environments caused by various pathogens; burden on health and development; needs safe and effective drugs to treat and prevent infections.

Hepatitis B

Liver inflammation caused by hepatitis B virus; spread through blood and bodily fluids; responsible for over a million deaths annually; addressed by large-scale vaccination programs.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – premature mortality

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes that cause premature death; linked to lifestyle changes; policy action includes taxes on alcohol and tobacco.

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental disorders contribute to poverty and homelessness; stigma and discrimination violate rights; need for increased funding and access to affordable medicine.

Road traffic injuries

Deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents; linked to poor road quality and unsafe vehicles; action includes increasing funding for driver education.

Hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution

Health impacts from pollutants due to energy production and traffic; to reduce harm, promote clean energy and reduce pollution through funding and incentives.