Global Health Intro

Question 1

International Health

Answer 1

Interlocked, Interrelated health status of individuals throughout the world and combined efforts to improve the health of each of these individuals of every country.

Question 2

Health

Answer 2

The state of complete mental, physical and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of infirmity or disease.
~ WHO 1947

Question 3

Globalization

Answer 3

Increased interdependence and interconnectedness of individuals and nations.
~WHO

Question 4

Public Health

Answer 4

Organized measures to prevent disease, promote health and prolong life among populations as a whole.
~WHO

Question 5

Global Health

Answer 5

1. Health related problems, issues and concerns that transcend national boundaries which may be influenced by experiences in other countries and are best addressed by cooperative actions and solutions
   ~ Institute of Medicine, USA 1997
2. Collaborative transnational research and action for promoting health for all.
   ~ Beaglehole & Bonita, 2010

Question 6

Three main functions of PH

Answer 6

1. Identify health related problems & priorities ( via assessment & monitoring communities & populations at risk)
2. Formulate policy’s (addressing problems & priorities)
3. Ensure accessible health promotion and preventive services (appropriate & cost effective)

Question 7

Historical development of Global health

Answer 7

• More recent field of study compared to PH & IH
• Emphasizes greater scope of health problems & solutions that are transnational & interdisciplinary

Question 8

Key GH terms

Answer 8

GRAPH CT
1. Global: opposed to local
2. Research: evidence based
3. Action: from evidence
4. Promoting (health): via social determinants
5. Health for all: Alma Ata declaration
6. Collaborative: multiple domains
7. Transnational: transcend borders

Question 9

Historical development of PH

Answer 9

• Developed as a discipline in mid 19th century in UK, USA, Europe.
• Concerned with national issues.
• Focus on populations
• Data & evidence to support actions.
• Social justice, equity
• Prevention vs cure

Question 10

Historical development of IH

Answer 10

• Developed during past decades
• Concerned with;
~diseases
~ conditions of middle & low income countries
~ one way flow of ‘good ideas’

Question 11

Generic disciplines in GH

Answer 11

• Social sciences
• Behavioural sciences
• Biomedical sciences
• Environmental sciences
• Law
• Economics
• Engineering
• History

Question 12

Knowledge domains of GH

Answer 12

1. Epidemiology
2. Health promotion & education
3. Health services administration
4. Environmental health
5. Occupational health
6. Social & behavioural sciences
7. Biostatistics
8. Vital statistics & surveillance

Question 13

Key concepts related to Global Health (explain)

Answer 13

1. Key risk factors of health related problems.
2. The global burden of health matters.
3. Transition of demography and epidemiology
4. Importance of culture to global health.
5. Measurement of health status.
6. Determinants of health.

Question 14

Culture.

Answer 14

Predominating attitudes & behaviour that characterize the functioning of a group/ organization.

Question 15

What are the measurements of health status?

Answer 15

1. Cause of death.
2. Infant mortality rate.
3. Maternal mortality rate.
4. Neonatal mortality rate.
5. Life expectancy at birth.
6. Child mortality rate.

Question 16

Health system.

Answer 16

All organizations, institutions & resources devoted to producing actions aimed at improving health
~ WHO

Question 17

Key risk factors for various health conditions.

Answer 17

1. Tobacco use.
2. Poor sanitation, access to clean water.
3. Extra marital affairs.
4. Malnutrition.

Question 18

Life expectancy at birth.

Answer 18

The number of years a new-born baby is expected to live if current trends in mortality were to continue for the rest of the new-born’s life.

Question 19

Difference between child, infant and neonatal mortality rate.

Answer 19

1. Child - the probability that a new-born will die before reaching 5 yrs expressed per 1000 live births.
2. Infant - the number of infant deaths under 1 yr per 1000 live births/ year.
3. Neonatal - number of death of infants under 28 days per 1000 live births/ year

Question 20

Maternal mortality rate.

Answer 20

Number of women who die as a result of childbirth & pregnancy related complications per 100 000 live births/ year.

Question 21

Cause of death.

Answer 21

Obtained from death certificate.
Limited because of incomplete coverage.

Question 22

Influence of culture to health.

Answer 22

1. Diversity
2. Marginalization.
3. Vulnerability.

• All due to either race, gender & ethnicity

Question 23

Infant mortality rate

Answer 23

Number of deaths in infants under 1 year per 1000 live births per year

Question 24

Child vs Neonatal mortality rate

Answer 24

Neonatal: number of deaths among infants under 28 days per 1000 live births in a given year.
Child: probability that a new born will die before 5 years per 1000 live births.

Question 25

What other key concept in relation to GH can you think of?

Answer 25

Organization and function of health systems.
• Poor functioning health care systems = poor health care provision which affects the health of the given community.
• National health system has public, private, traditional and informal sectors