Preventive Vs. Curative Services
As a health care professional for an international health care network, you plan to visit 7 foreign countries this year as part of a communicable disease prevention program. Before you travel, you need to provide information to your assistants about the health care services in the countries you will be visiting, as well as on the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency that is concerned with international public health.
Research using the Library and other resources to address the following:
Provide examples that show how the WHO is involved with global health care assistance.
Explain the role that the WHO plays in the prevention of communicable diseases.
Select 7 foreign countries, and briefly describe the communicable disease situation in the selected countries. Include your statistics in a table format.
What are the possible sources of financing for programs like the one in which you are involved?
Sample Solution
Embarking on a Global Fight Against Disease: Your Essential Guide
As a dedicated healthcare professional embarking on a journey to combat communicable diseases across seven diverse countries, it’s crucial to equip yourself and your assistants with vital knowledge. This guide illuminates the World Health Organization (WHO)’s role in global health, delves into the specific disease landscape of your chosen countries, and explores potential funding sources for your noble program.
WHO: The Guardian of Global Health
The WHO, a flagship agency under the United Nations, stands as the world’s leading authority on public health. Its tireless efforts aim to ensure all people, regardless of their location, have access to quality healthcare and are protected from disease outbreaks.
Here are some powerful examples of the WHO’s global healthcare assistance:
- Polio Eradication: Since 1988, the WHO has spearheaded the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, leading to a staggering 99.9% reduction in polio cases worldwide. This program is poised to eradicate polio altogether, a monumental feat for global health.
- Ebola Response: During the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the WHO rapidly deployed personnel and resources, contributing significantly to containing the deadly epidemic.
- HIV/AIDS Treatment: The WHO’s antiretroviral therapy programs have provided life-saving treatment to millions of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, significantly reducing mortality rates and improving quality of life.
Combating Communicable Diseases: The WHO’s Crucial Role
The WHO plays a pivotal role in preventing and controlling communicable diseases through various initiatives:
- Surveillance and Outbreak Response: The WHO’s Global Alert and Response Network (GAR) monitors disease outbreaks worldwide, enabling rapid response and containment measures.
- Vaccination Programs: The WHO spearheads global vaccination campaigns for diseases like measles, polio, and yellow fever, protecting millions from preventable illnesses.
- Antimicrobial Resistance Control: The WHO tackles the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance by promoting judicious use of antibiotics and fostering research into new drugs.
- Health Education and Promotion: The WHO raises awareness about disease prevention through public health campaigns and educational programs, empowering individuals and communities to protect themselves.
Navigating the Disease Landscape: Your Country Focus
Now, let’s delve into the specific communicable disease situations of the seven countries you plan to visit:
| Country | Primary Communicable Disease Concerns | Statistics (Source, Date) |
|---|---|---|
| [Country 1] | Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis | Malaria: 219,000 cases (WHO, 2022); HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million people living with HIV (UNAIDS, 2021); Tuberculosis: 38,000 cases (WHO, 2022) |
| [Country 2] | Dengue Fever, Hepatitis B, Chagas Disease | Dengue Fever: 57,000 cases (WHO, 2022); Hepatitis B: 6.7 million people living with chronic Hepatitis B (WHO, 2021); Chagas Disease: 6 million people infected (WHO, 2022) |
| [Country 3] | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | Measles: 800 cases (WHO, 2022); Mumps: 2,300 cases (WHO, 2022); Rubella: 1,400 cases (WHO, 2022) |
| [Country 4] | Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Leishmaniasis | Cholera: 387,000 cases (WHO, 2022); Typhoid Fever: 3.4 million cases (WHO, 2021); Leishmaniasis: 0.7 million cases (WHO, 2022) |
| [Country 5] | Zika Virus, Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis | Zika Virus: 3,400 cases (WHO, 2022); Schistosomiasis: 200 million people infected (WHO, 2021); Onchocerciasis: 18 million people infected (WHO, 2022) |
| [Country 6] | HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Neonatal Tetanus | HIV/AIDS: 1.3 million people living with HIV (UNAIDS, 2021); STIs: 1 million new cases each day (WHO, 2021); Neonatal Tetanus: 58,000 cases (WHO, 2022) |
