Health and Well-Being Indicators

  • Prevalence of Diabetes

    • Notable mention of individuals living 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean suffering from high diabetes levels.

  • Lifespan

    • The term 'lifespan' refers to the average duration an individual is expected to live.
    • Lifespan can be an indicator of a country's development and overall well-being.

  • United Nations Development Index (UNDI)

    • The UN is moving towards measuring a nation's well-being beyond just GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
    • GDP typically measures economic strength through total goods and services produced by a nation.
    • Current largest economies:
    • 1st: United States
    • 2nd: China
    • 3rd: Germany
    • 4th: Japan
    • 6th: India

  • Shift in Measuring Well-Being

    • There is a recognized shift from purely economic measures of well-being to health and longevity indicators.

  • Global Health Issue: HIV/AIDS

    • Current global statistics show that more people are infected with HIV globally than in the United States currently.
    • The prevalence of HIV/AIDS was more widely reported in the 1980s and 1990s, with advancements now helping control the spread of the virus, especially in the U.S.
    • Access to medication is key, although it can be very expensive.