Global Health

Question 1

Define global health

Answer 1

An area for study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide.

Question 2

What is the WHO?

Answer 2

The WHO is a specialised agency of the UN which is an international organisation that aims to uphold world peace and security.

Question 3

What is the International Health Regulation?

Answer 3

A document that sets out at an international level the role of the WHO and national governments in preventing and responding to disease threats worldwide. These regulations set out a role for the WHO in providing a global health surveillance and health protection capability. Set out every country’s responsibilities in reporting disease to the WHO where information can be collated and response coordinated.

Question 4

What is the Human Development Index?

Answer 4

The Human Development Index (or HDI) is an approach used by the United Nations to quantifying development (in general) and is a composite continuous value between 0.001 and 0.999 (usually provided to three decimal places).

Question 5

What does HDI take into account?

Answer 5

1. Knowledge: Based on education and literacy
2. Healthy life: Based around life expectancy
3. Standard of living: Based on income adjusted for local circumstances (purchasing power parity, PPP)

Question 6

How does the World Bank classify countries?

Answer 6

Based on Gross National Income per Capita (GNI). 4 classifications: low income, lower middle income, upper middle income and high income. Low GNI: below $1045. Lower middle GNI: below $4095. Upper middle GNI: below $12695. High GNI: $12696 or more.

Question 7

What is the global south?

Answer 7

This term is commonly used and generally accepted to denote countries where income tends to be low and economies are recently industrialising. Many (if not most) countries often have a colonial history. Geographically most Global South countries are around the tropics (not necessarily in the southern hemisphere).
Australia and New Zealand are not considered Global South countries.

Question 8

Define hygiene

Answer 8

A range of so called health promotion activities that encourage protective healthy behaviour practices.

Question 9

Describe population access to WASH

Answer 9

WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). 30% world population lack access to safe water. 60% world population lack access to effective sanitation. Disease burden associated with WASH is considerable and is largely preventable with cost effective interventions.

Question 10

What are globally prevalent WASH related diseases?

Answer 10

Diarrhoea, malaria, schistosomiasis, trachoma, intestinal helminths japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A.

Question 11

What did the UN declare in 2010?

Answer 11

Declared safe drinking water and sanitation a human right. Between 50-100 litres of water per person per day required to meet basic needs. Water source must be located within 1000 metres of home. Water cost should not exceed 3% of household income. Collection time should not exceed 30 minutes.

Question 12

Define waterborne and waterwashed diseases

Answer 12

Diseases spread when people drink contaminated water or eat food that has been prepared with contaminated water.
Waterwashed diseases are infections that are caused by poor personal hygiene for example, scabies and trachoma.

Question 13

Define water based and water related diseases

Answer 13

Water based diseases are spread by aquatic organisms e.g. schistosomiasis and guinea worm. Water related insect vector diseases are diseases spread by insects such as malaria and river blindness. Also diseases caused by poor sanitation.

Question 14

What are sustainable development goals?

Answer 14

SDGs are a package of goals that were launched in 2015 by the United Nations following three years of consultation with national governments and their peoples. There are 17 goals in total, that span the full range of human development. They were designed to be achieved within 15 years: from 2015 to 2030. The idea is that by achieving these goals we can transform human progress at a global level.

Question 15

How are SDGs different to MDGs?

Answer 15

MDGs sought to focus on LMIC contexts, the SDGs are universal and are arguably as relevant for high-income countries as they are for everywhere else. They recognise the interdependent nature and challenges that face the environmental, economic and social spheres.

Question 16

Define maternal death

Answer 16

The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy… from any cause by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.

Question 17

What is the maternal mortality ratio?

Answer 17

Maternal mortality ratio is the epidemiological indicator commonly used. It is calculated as the number of deaths divided by the number of live births (in the same period) per 100,000 live births.
Maternal mortality ratio = (Number of maternal deaths / Number of live births) X 100,000

Question 18

What are 4 points about using maternal mortality ratio as an indicator?

Answer 18

1. Indicates human and social progress
2. A system-wide indicator of both a health system as well as a country’s development
3. A proxy measure of baseline health status among women of childbearing age
4. A measure of how accessible, responsive and effective a health system is. And the degree to which a health system is responsive to women’s health is itself a measure of how politically invested a country is in achieving equal health outcomes for men and women.