Global Health Notes

Globalization defined as the intensification of cross-national interactions.
Promotes establishment of trans-national structures and global integration across various processes: cultural, economic, ecological, political, technological, and social at multiple levels (global, supra-national, national, regional, local).
Source: Martens et al., 2010.

Defined as a focus on improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide (Koplan et al., 1993).
Includes practices and studies that aim for health improvement and equality, promoting health within sustainable socio-cultural, policy, and economic systems.
Recognizes efforts on a global scale that value human health, animal health, and ecosystem health.
Source: Wilson et al., 2016.

An evidence-based process that supports sustainable global health and equality.
Involves ethical practice by examining social determinants of health.
Includes areas like individual/group care, education, research, leadership, advocacy, and policy initiatives – emphasizing human dignity, rights, and cultural diversity.
Source: Wilson et al., 2016.

Unsafe tap water concerns in Newfoundland.
Example: A town overcoming a boil-water advisory from 1989, highlighting longstanding health infrastructure issues.

Europe's water resources under pressure, with most surface bodies polluted.
Link between unsafe water, poor maintenance, and economic hardship.
Articles from reliable sources provide insights into the current state of water resources globally.

Registered nurses have a duty to advocate against social inequities.
Position as the largest health professional group in Canada places them in a good position to combat health inequities at home and abroad.
Source: Canadian Nurses Association, 2009.

Issues like improperly attended complicated labor can lead to severe health consequences such as obstetrical fistula; estimated 3 million women affected worldwide.

Health issues are extensive, cross boundaries, ethical, and influenced by social determinants.
Need for a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectorial approach for effective global health responses.

Focus on solving the world's toughest challenges by 2030.
Transition from Millennium Development Goals to SDGs, emphasizing the need for collective global action.

Nurses are essential to achieving not only health-related SDGs but all SDGs through efforts towards universal health coverage.
Importance of nurses in transforming health systems to promote healthy, productive lives.
Source: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, 2017.

Access & Quality: Improve nursing practices through regulatory changes and national licensure.
Value of Nursing Workforce: Expand team-based and nurse-led models of care for better outcomes.
Well-Being of Health Workforce: Protect nurses from workplace challenges, advocating for national protections.
Social Determinants of Health: Address environmental factors affecting health outcomes and the health sector's carbon footprint.
Public Health System Strengthening: Enhance pandemic preparedness and combat misinformation.

Efforts by organizations like Canadian Association for Global Health and others to address global health issues through research and advocacy.
Essential engagement from universities to instill basic understanding of global health matters amongst students.

The belief that geographical location should not dictate an individual's right to live or die, underlining the equity in health.

“Where you live should not determine whether you live, or whether you die.” - Bono