Globalization & Public Health essays

Globalization & Public Health essays Globalization is commonly defined as the worldwide integration of economies in the face of substantially increased transborder trade and investment [1]. It is generally addressed in the context of economics and information technologies. Globalization has brought wealth and modernity to many of the worlds peoples. Frequently overlooked in the classroom, unfortunately, are the new vulnerabilities now exposed by globalization, including the spread of natural disease and the use of disease as possible instruments of terror. It is important to understand how globalization may be affecting global public health policies, and what implications that has for global control of infectious diseases. From a public health point of view, it is imperative that we bear in mind that infectious diseases do not recognize borders, as evidenced by the current HIV/AIDS pandemic. The two main results of globalization have been expanding international travel and increased trade. Increased trade includes the exporting and importing of foodstuffs, which are probable carriers of pathogenic microbes. Some fresh foods may be contaminated during picking, packaging, transport, or delivery [2]. Another factor that may facilitate the international spread of food borne disease is the centralized processing of human and animal foods, followed by widespread distribution. For example, if a component of animal feed is contaminated with a pathogen, a food animal could ingest the pathogen. This food animal could then pass the pathogen to anyone who consumes a part of the animal which could cause a global outbreak. Increased international travel, a result of globalization, is also a major cause of the spread of disease, and also a major factor in the threat of bioterrorism. Examples of disease spread from continent to continent include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, West Nile encephalitis, Vibrio cholerae, coccidioidomycosis, influenza, measles, and ...