4.2. Summarise current global challenges to public health

This guide will help you answer 4.2. Summarise current global challenges to public health.

Public health faces numerous challenges globally. These challenges affect the quality of life, healthcare access, and the ability of systems to manage illnesses and health crises. Understanding these challenges helps highlight areas requiring urgent attention and intervention.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases remain a growing issue. These include diseases caused by new or previously unrecognised pathogens, as well as the re-emergence of diseases previously under control. Examples include COVID-19, SARS, and Avian Influenza.

Causes of emerging diseases include:

• Globalisation increasing human movement and trade
• Changes in the environment affecting ecosystems
• Close contact between humans and animals in certain regions

Response to such diseases can be made harder by limited healthcare systems or a lack of public health awareness.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites stop responding to medicines, such as antibiotics. AMR continues to rise worldwide. It reduces the effectiveness of treatments for infections.

Key contributing factors include:

• Overuse or misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and farming
• Patients’ incomplete use of prescribed treatments
• Lack of new antibiotics being developed

Without effective treatments, infections that were treatable could become life-threatening.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases, are growing public health concerns. These conditions, often caused by lifestyle factors, limit individuals’ quality of life and place heavy burdens on healthcare systems.

Key risk factors:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Unhealthy diets
• Physical inactivity

The rise in NCDs is linked to ageing populations and urbanisation.

Health Inequalities

Health inequalities are differences in health outcomes between groups. These inequalities are often due to social, economic, and environmental factors. Certain population groups, such as those living in poverty, ethnic minorities, or those in rural areas, face greater health disparities.

Examples include:

• Unequal access to healthcare services
• Lower vaccination rates in underprivileged areas
• Higher prevalence of certain illnesses in disadvantaged groups

Health inequalities compound other public health concerns by isolating vulnerable communities.

Climate Change

Climate change has far-reaching effects on public health. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing rainfall patterns affect the spread of diseases and impact mental and physical health.

Key impacts include:

• Heatwaves increasing heat-related illnesses and deaths
• Changes in vector-borne diseases, e.g., malaria and dengue
• Food insecurity caused by shifting agriculture patterns

Populations in low-income regions without climate adaptation programmes are most at risk.

Mental Health Challenges

Mental health is a growing public health issue globally. Factors like societal pressure, poverty, war, isolation, and economic uncertainty contribute to rising instances of mental health problems.

Examples of challenges include:

• Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Stigma surrounding mental health often preventing individuals from seeking help
• A lack of mental health professionals in some regions

The WHO recognises mental health as key to achieving global health goals.

Urbanisation

Urbanisation refers to the rapid growth of cities as people move from rural to urban areas. Whilst this can improve job opportunities, education, and healthcare access, it also poses specific public health challenges.

Issues include:

• Overcrowded housing and informal settlements lacking basic sanitation
• Increased pollution leading to respiratory issues
• Higher NCD rates linked to sedentary urban lifestyles

Planning safer, healthier urban environments is necessary to reduce urban health risks.

Food Security

Food security means having access to affordable, nutritious, and sufficient food. This is disrupted by factors like conflict, climate change, and economic instability.

Examples of threats to food security include:

• Malnutrition in low-income regions
• Overconsumption and obesity in wealthier areas due to unhealthy food options
• Price volatility impacting access to food for low-income households

Food security interventions focus on sustainable farming and equitable distribution systems.

Global Pandemics

Global pandemics, such as COVID-19, showcase how diseases can rapidly spread and overwhelm health systems worldwide. Pandemics cause widespread illness, death, and social disruption.

Public health systems face challenges like:

• Lack of pandemic preparedness, e.g., inadequate ICU capacity
• Supply chain disruptions affecting medical supplies
• Vaccine distribution inequalities between richer and poorer nations

Pandemics highlight gaps in global health systems requiring urgent attention.

Ageing Populations

Populations worldwide are living longer, mainly due to advancements in healthcare. While this is positive, it comes with specific challenges.

Issues linked to ageing include:

• Increased prevalence of NCDs like Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis
• Greater demands on healthcare services and social care systems
• Shrinking working-age populations reducing economic support for retirees

Governments need policies to address these challenges whilst respecting the rights of older adults.

Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and hygiene remains an issue in many developing countries. These are critical to preventing the spread of diseases.

Problems include:

• Unsafe drinking water leading to illnesses like diarrhoea
• Poor sanitation increasing the spread of diseases such as cholera
• Lack of hygiene resources in schools and healthcare facilities

Investing in infrastructure can improve health outcomes for millions worldwide.

Conflict and Displacement

Armed conflicts and natural disasters displace millions of people annually. Displacement disrupts livelihoods and access to services, including healthcare.

Key health concerns for displaced populations include:

• Malnutrition and food insecurity
• More exposure to disease outbreaks in overcrowded refugee camps
• Trauma-related mental health issues

International cooperation is vital to support these vulnerable groups.

Conclusion

Global public health faces a wide variety of challenges, from disease outbreaks and health inequalities to environmental issues like climate change. Tackling these challenges requires coordinated efforts by governments, non-governmental organisations, and communities worldwide. Recognising and addressing these concerns improves quality of life and ensures longer-term progress.