global health issues

main global health issues

1. Epidemics/ Pandemics

2. World Hunger

3. Climate Change

4. Poverty

5. Access to clean water

epidemic

A sudden and significant increase in the number of cases of a disease in a particular population or region.

• The Ebola epidemic in West Africa

the Ebola epidemic

in West Africa (2014–2016), which spread rapidly across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, causing thousands of deaths

pandemic

A disease that spreads across multiple countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

• the COVID-19 pandemic

the COVID-19 pandemic

(2020-present), which resulted in over 3 million deaths globally within its first year

Causes of Epidemics & Pandemics

• Emerging Infectious Diseases

• Lack of immunization

• Global travel

• Poor sanitation and hygiene

• Antibiotic resistance

zoonotic diseases

viruses or bacteria that cross over from animals to humans

HIV/AIDS

likely originated from primates, spread worldwide, becoming one of the most significant pandemics in history

Emerging Infectious Diseases

New diseases can emerge from viruses or bacteria that cross over from animals to humans

• HIV/AIDS

Lack of immunization

Diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella can spread quickly in communities where vaccination rates are low.

Global travel

Increased global travel allows diseases to spread quickly across borders, as was the case with COVID-19, which spread internationally in a matter of weeks.

Poor sanitation and hygiene

Inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene can lead to the spread of diseases, especially in low-income regions.

• Cholera outbreaks

Cholera outbreaks

mainly in regions with poor water and sanitation systems, such as parts of Haiti following natural disasters

Antibiotic resistance

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant strains of bacteria, causing diseases that are harder to treat

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

causes hard-to-treat infections in hospitals and communities

Examples of Major Epidemics and Pandemics

• Black Death/Bubonic Plague

• Spanish Flu

• HIV/AIDS Pandemic

• COVID-19 Pandemic

• Ebola Epidemic

Black Death/Bubonic Plague

A pandemic in the 14th century that killed an estimated 75–200 million people across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It was caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) transmitted through fleas.

Spanish Flu

(1918-1919): A devastating pandemic that infected about one-third of the world’s population and caused approximately 50 million deaths globally, far more than World War I.

HIV/AIDS Pandemic

First identified in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has claimed over 36 million lives worldwide.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Beginning in late 2019, COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus spread globally. It led to widespread lockdowns, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and had major economic impacts.

Ebola Epidemic

(2014–2016): Ebola virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever, spread in parts of West Africa, resulting in over 11,000 deaths.

Impact on Health and Society

• Strain on Healthcare Systems

• Economic Impact

• Mental Health Effects

• Social and Political Disruptions

Preventing and Managing Epidemics and Pandemics

• Vaccination Programs

• Public Health Education

• Quarantine and Isolation Measures

• Strengthening Healthcare Systems

chronic hunger

• Long term

• Lack of sufficient foods leading to malnutrition

acute hunger

• Severe, short term food shortage

• Usually caused by disasters or conflict

causes of world hunger

 

Poverty	Lack of financial resources to buy food or invest in farming
Conflict	Wars & political instability disrupt food production & distribution
Climate Change	Droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events reduce food production.
Food Waste	Approximately 1/3 of all food produced globally is wasted, while millions go hungry.
Poor Infrastructure	In developing countries, lack of roads, storage, and transportation systems prevents food from reaching those who need it.

Impacts of world hunger

1. Malnutrition

2. Weakened immune system

3. Cognitive development

4. Mental health issues

5. Economic impacts

1. ______ go hungry every day, which is about ____ of the global population.

2. ______ die each year from hunger-related causes—more than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

3. Hunger is most severe in regions like _____ and ____, where poverty and food insecurity are widespread.

1. 690 million people, 9%

2. 9 million people

3. Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia

Solutions to combat world hunger

1. Food Aid Programs

2. Sustainable agriculture

3. Empower women

4. Local & Global Initiatives: Support organizations like Action Against Hunger

climate change

Refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, often caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). This leads to increased levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming the planet.

key impacts of climate change on the environment

• Rising global temperatures.

• Melting polar ice caps and glaciers.

• Rising sea levels.

• Increased frequency and severity of natural disasters (droughts, floods, hurricanes).

impacts of climate change on health

• heat-related illnesses

• spread of disease

• food security

• water scarcity and contamination

• natural disasters

heat-related illnesses

As global temperatures rise, more people are at risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke, especially in regions already experiencing hot climates.

spread of disease

Warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns expand the habitats of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, leading to the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.

food security

Extreme weather conditions like droughts and floods disrupt agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and food shortages. This can cause malnutrition and hunger, especially in poorer regions.

water scarcity and contamination

Climate change exacerbates water shortages, affecting access to clean drinking water. Rising temperatures can also cause harmful algal blooms in lakes and rivers, contaminating water sources.

natural disasters

More frequent and intense natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, wildfires) lead to injury, death, displacement, and mental health issues. These disasters overwhelm healthcare systems and destroy homes, displacing populations and increasing vulnerability.

vulnerable populations

1. Developing Nations: Poorer countries have fewer resources to adapt to climate change, making them more vulnerable to health impacts like disease and food insecurity.

2. Children and Elderly: Both groups are especially sensitive to extreme heat, diseases, and malnutrition.

3. People with chronic health conditions & disabilities

1. Global Temperature Increase: Since the late 19th century, the planet's average surface temperature has risen by about ____

2. Sea Level Rise: Sea levels are expected to rise by ____ by 2100, putting coastal cities and islands at risk of flooding and displacement.

3. Extreme Weather: The number of _____ linked to extreme weather has increased fivefold over the last 50 years.

1. 1.2°C (2.2°F).

2. up to 1 meter

3. natural disasters

Solutions to Combat Climate Change and Protect Health

• renewable energy

• sustainable agriculture: crop rotation, permaculture, and reducing chemical inputs

• improving healthcare systems

• conservation and reforestation: Planting trees and preserving forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, while also protecting biodiversity and preventing deforestation.

• international agreements: global goals

poverty

a condition where individuals or communities lack the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. This includes access to food, clean water, shelter, education, and healthcare.

types of poverty

• Absolute Poverty: When individuals cannot meet basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.

• Relative Poverty: When individuals have fewer resources than others within their community or country, leading to social exclusion.

Extreme Poverty: Defined by the World Bank as living on less than _____. Over _____ globally live in extreme poverty.

Regional Focus:

• _____ and _____ are home to the majority of the world’s poor. In Sub-Saharan Africa, ____ lives in extreme poverty.

1. $2.15 a day, 700 million

2. Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, 40% of the population

how poverty affects health

• Limited Access to Healthcare

• Malnutrition:

• Increased Disease Burden:

• Impact on Education:

• Child Mortality:

  • Statistic: In low-income countries, 1 in 13 children dies before their 5th birthday, compared to 1 in 185 in high-income countries (World Health Organization).

• Mental Health

key drivers of poverty

• Unemployment and Low Wages

• Lack of Education

  • Statistic: Nearly 260 million children globally are out of school, and many of them live in poverty 

• Conflict and Displacement

• Climate Change

  • Example: Farmers in developing countries who depend on agriculture for their income are vulnerable to climate-related crop failures, leading to food insecurity and deeper poverty.

health challenges in low-income countries

Infectious Diseases

• Example: In 2020, 627,000 people died from malaria, with the vast majority of cases occurring in low-income countries (WHO).

Maternal and Child Health:

• Statistic: Women in sub-Saharan Africa are 50 times more likely to die in childbirth compared to women in high-income countries.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Poor Health

• Universal Health Coverage:

• Improving Education:

• Economic Development Programs:

• Access to Clean Water and Sanitation:

• Addressing Gender Inequality:
  

clean water

refers to water that is safe for human consumption and use, free from harmful contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, toxic chemicals, and waste products.

• Access to clean water is essential for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and hygiene. It’s a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations, but millions of people worldwide still lack access.

• Lack of Access: Approximately _____ worldwide do not have safe drinking water readily available at home 

• Sanitation Gaps: About _____ lack access to safely managed sanitation services, including toilets and waste disposal.

• Waterborne Diseases: Each year, unsafe water and poor sanitation lead to approximately _____ from diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid 

1. 2.2 billion people

2. 4.2 billion people

3. 829,000 deaths

Health Impacts of Poor Water and Sanitation

• Waterborne Diseases:

• Malnutrition:

• Impact on Women and Girls:

  • Statistic: In sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls spend an average of 200 million hours every day fetching water.

• Sanitation and Hygiene:

  • Statistic: Around 673 million people still practice open defecation, which contaminates water sources and leads to increased health risks.

Solutions to Improve Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

• Water Filtration and Purification:

  • Chlorination, sand filtration, and UV light

• Building Wells and Infrastructure:

• Water Conservation and Efficient Use:

  • rainwater harvesting

List two major causes of world hunger

poverty and conflict

How does food waste contribute to world hunger?

Food waste contributes to world hunger by diverting food that could be used to feed people in need, with approximately one-third of all food produced globally being wasted.

Name two ways climate change affects human health

It affects human health by increasing heat-related illnesses and spreading vector-borne diseases such as malaria.

What are two solutions to combat climate change?

Solutions include shifting to renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind power) and adopting sustainable agriculture practices (e.g., growing drought-resistant crops).

How can vaccination programs help prevent pandemics?

Vaccination programs help prevent pandemics by building immunity in populations, reducing the spread of diseases like measles and COVID-19.

How does poverty affect access to healthcare?

Poverty limits healthcare access by making it unaffordable for people to visit doctors, buy medication, or receive vaccinations.

List one way education can help reduce poverty

Education helps reduce poverty by opening up job opportunities and improving individuals' ability to earn higher incomes.

Why is access to clean water important for public health?

Clean water is important because it prevents waterborne diseases and is essential for hygiene and sanitation.

Name two health consequences of poor water quality

Health consequences of poor water quality include diarrheal diseases (like cholera) and malnutrition caused by repeated illnesses.

What are two solutions to improve access to clean water?

Solutions include installing water filtration systems and building wells and infrastructure to provide communities with access to clean water.

1. Climate change has no effect on the spread of infectious diseases.
   ☐ True
   ☐ False

f; Climate change affects the spread of infectious diseases by expanding the range of disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes carrying malaria).

1. Nearly 40% of the world's population lacks access to safe drinking water.
   ☐ True
   ☐ False

f; About 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, which is about 29% of the global population, not 40%.

1. Acute hunger is a long-term condition caused by persistent lack of food.
   ☐ True
   ☐ False

f; Acute hunger is a short-term crisis, while chronic hunger is a long-term condition.

1. Economic development programs can help lift people out of poverty.
   ☐ True
   ☐ False

t;  Economic development programs create jobs and infrastructure, helping people rise out of poverty.

1. Vaccination programs are an ineffective method for preventing pandemics.
   ☐ True
   ☐ False

f; Vaccination programs are one of the most effective ways to prevent pandemics.

World hunger primarily affects regions such as ____ where poverty is widespread.

sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters are results of ____.

climate change

A disease outbreak becomes a ___ when it spreads across multiple countries.

pandemic

Poverty increases the risk of ___ mortality due to a lack of healthcare access.

child

____ diseases like cholera and diarrhea are often caused by contaminated water sources

Waterborne

Discuss the effectiveness of food aid programs versus sustainable agriculture in combating world hunger. Which do you think is more sustainable and why?

Food aid programs provide immediate relief in crises but may create dependency. Sustainable agriculture offers a long-term solution by improving local food production and resilience, especially through climate-resistant crops.

How can the shift to renewable energy sources help reduce the health impacts of climate change? Give examples from countries that have adopted renewable energy.

Shifting to renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, slowing global warming. Countries like Germany and Denmark have successfully adopted wind energy, leading to a significant reduction in their carbon footprints and mitigating health risks like heat-related illnesses.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of global cooperation in handling pandemics? What lessons can be learned for future outbreaks?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of early detection, rapid response, and global cooperation in controlling disease spread. Countries learned the need for strong healthcare systems and better communication to manage future outbreaks.