Assesment 1
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School
Rutgers University *
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Course
315
Subject
Health Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by BrigadierOxide5496
1.
List and briefly discuss at least three existing global health challenges that still require attention and resolution.
Despite significant progress in fighting infectious diseases, they continue to pose a major threat to global health. Diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases remain persistent challenges. Factors such as antimicrobial resistance, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and lack of access to vaccines and essential medicines contribute to the ongoing burden of infectious diseases.
Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, are responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide.
Lifestyle choices such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol contribute significantly to the rise in NCDs. Addressing these risk factors requires public health strategies focused on prevention, early detection, and access to quality healthcare services.
Disparities in health outcomes persist both within and between countries, driven by social, economic, and environmental factors. Marginalized populations, including women, children, ethnic minorities, and those living in poverty, often face barriers to accessing healthcare services and experience worse health outcomes. Addressing health inequalities requires a multisectoral approach that tackles underlying social determinants such as poverty, education, housing, and employment.
2. What are sustainable development goals and why is it important for us as public health specialists to understand them?
Sustainable Development Goals are a set of interconnected global goals adopted
by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world. The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. As public health specialists, it is essential to understand the SDGs because they provide a framework for addressing the underlying determinants of health and achieving sustainable development. Understanding the SDGs allows public health specialists to highlight key areas of focus, such as health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, which are interconnected and crucial for improving population health and well-being. It is essential for public health specialists to effectively contribute to global efforts to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and promote sustainable development.
3. Why are the social determinants of health considered to be important?
The social determinants of health are considered important because they have a significant impact on an individual's health outcomes and well-being. These determinants refer to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age,
as well as the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. Recognizing the importance of social determinants of health can create a healthier, more equitable society. By addressing underlying social and economic factors, we can work towards improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and promoting well-
being for all individuals and communities.
4. Define the term global burden of disease and explain how it might differ from one region to another in the country that you selected during the first week of class.
The global burden of disease refers to the total impact of diseases, injuries, and risk factors on populations worldwide. It encompasses measures such as mortality, morbidity, disability, and the social and economic consequences of poor health. In the Nicaragua, the burden of disease can vary significantly from one region to another due to socioeconomic disparities, environmental factors, health infrastructure, and lifestyle and behavioral factors
Nicaragua is characterized by significant socioeconomic inequalities, with disparities in income, education, and access to healthcare between urban and rural areas. Regions with higher levels of poverty and limited access to healthcare may experience a higher burden of preventable diseases and poor health outcomes. Environmental conditions can vary across regions, leading to differences in the prevalence of diseases related to environmental factors such as water and sanitation, air pollution, and vector-borne diseases. Disparities in healthcare infrastructure and resources can impact the burden of disease. Urban areas may have better-equipped healthcare facilities and a higher concentration of healthcare professionals, leading to improved health outcomes compared to rural areas with limited access to healthcare services. Variations in lifestyle and behavioral factors, such as diet, physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, can contribute to differences in the burden of non-communicable diseases.
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