The Economic Aspects of Global Health

Economy and health are intertwined and entangled to each other. As the phrase goes “health is wealth”, the economy of and individual as well as that of a nation and of the whole world itself is to a large extent dependent on health. And many a times political and economic concerns have often guided global health interventions and investment on health generally depends on political will. For example the control of yellow fever, was directly related to completion of Panama Canal, because of economic burden of yellow fever, the disease was tried to control (if the Panama Canal was not constructed yellow fever control might have taken much longer time if ever tried to control).

Some economists and demographers argue that economic development is the key to improving the health status of a nation or a region, but many others argue that that ill health is the main barrier to economic development in poor countries. May be the view which combines both these arguments is the correct view and improvement of health status as well as economic development are equally important. But investment in health care, especially by controlling communicable diseases in poor countries can lead to increased productivity and consequently economic development. But many countries and economists are unable to find the necessary resources to start the predicted “virtuous cycle”.

International financial institutions like the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund), have counseled limited investments and the capping of social expenditures in health and education (the 2 core sectors which are non profit for Governments). The argument by these international financial institutions was that a balanced budget with a “friendly investment climate” that allows privatization, deregulation, and decreased trade barriers, devalued currencies etc. would favor economic development and thus improve health outcomes. But the World Health Organization (WHO) advises the Governments to provide approximately 5% of total GDP for health sector, although unfortunately most of the developing countries allot less than half of that recommended by World Health Organization and consequently have poor health as well as poorer economy. Even whatever is allocated for health sector is also spent mainly in the cities where people can afford to pay and reaches negligible amount in the rural areas where health expenditure by Governments should ideally reach adequately.

How Important is Health in Global Perspective?

Health in perspective of global scenario or “global health” is not a discipline in itself, but it is a collection of problems (health related problems as well as economic, technical, administrative and other non health related problems). A single review of global health can only find out and lay out the major problems that by the global community and chalk out the application of modern medicine in settings of great poverty or across national boundaries.

There are many international bodies, which are engaged in tackling of major global health issues like AIDS/HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, influenza, major communicable diseases etc. to name a few. Some of the major international bodies engaged in global health problem are WHO (World Health Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and many more. These international organizations are trying to solve some basic issues in health care. But unfortunately health may be a subject of health care professionals and health care administrators; the issue of health is also an issue of social justice and social and community development. Without social justice and comprehensive social development (economic development, educational development, social development etc.) the global health problems can not be addressed successfully. Finally the issue of health, including global health is a political issue and without political will the issue of health and health related problems can not be solved or curved.

Former Prime Minister of India, late Mrs. Indira Gandhi said in one of her speech “The most important vaccine to prevent disease and illness is economic development”. And this comment was very true; without true economic development the issue of health will remain unsolved and no matter what State or individuals do to improve health in general, without economic development it will remain unsolved and as a burden. The political leadership should make economic development as their number one priority to secure a healthy environment for us and also for the future generations to come.

To solve the global issues on health, we need to solve local issues first, especially in poor and developing regions of the world. These days of “global village” era, no country (including developed industrial countries) is immune from effects of a pandemic disease, so each and every human being of this planet should work towards a goal of improved global health.

What is health?

We all know about health and understand what health is. But very few of us know exactly what health is according to authorities on health, like WHO (World Health Organization). All of us may think we know what health is, but unfortunately we do not know what health is exactly. Many of us know what health is only superficially and have a general understanding of health in broad way. But unfortunately we do not know the exact definition of health.

Different authorities have defined health differently, but the most widely accepted definition of health is given by WHO. World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely absence of infirmity or disease”. Recently in the definition of health this is also added: “able to lead a socially and economically productive life” by World Health Organization. But this definition is criticized by many authorities as too it being too broad. Many people also argue that health can not be a “state” as defined by World Health Organization, and health should be seen as a continuous adjustment process to the changing demands of modern day life as well as changing meaning of life in the light of modern lifestyle. Health is actually a dynamic concept and it is not a “state”. Health should make people able to work well, live well and enjoy themselves well. The World Health Organization definition of health is considered by many authorities as being too idealistic goal rather than a realistic. Many consider the definition of health by World Health Organization as irrelevant in modern day life, as according to the definition, nobody can qualify as healthy i.e. perfect biological, psychological and social functioning. So if we accept the definition of “health” by World Health Organization, we are all sick.

Sandra is a webmaster of weight loss pill review website and offers independent reviews and ratings on different weight loss medicines. She also has plans and tips for dieting on her website.

Nutrition and Health

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of health and well being. Without proper and adequate nutrition health can not be maintained in good state. For maintaining health in good state (ideally at optimum state) good knowledge on nutrition is essential. Nutrition guides can help in gaining knowledge on basic nutrition to every aspects of nutrition. There are many books on nutrition guide and choosing a right book at affordable price may be difficult and Christian health management books can be of great help in this regard and Christian health management also provide Christian beauty products, which are also of high quality. Christian beauty products can provide you beautiful glowing skin, which can make you confident in life and confidence can bring you success and success can help you to maintain good health with purer mind and thinking.

Nutrition is vital in health as well as in disease condition. Without proper and balanced nutrition recovery from sickness may take much longer and in many occasions the recovery from disease may not be complete without adequate nutrition. A balanced nutrition (balanced diet) which supplies all the necessary nutrients is essential for recovery from disease as well as for maintaining good (ideally optimum) health. Good nutrition guides can provide valuable and necessary information is providing comprehensive knowledge on nutrition. A good nutrition guide book is like a good lifelong friend, which will be useful throughout life of a person. A good nutrition guide can provide from basics of nutrition to the most important aspects of nutrition. A good nutrition guide book should have thorough information about foods we eat daily and also information on proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other important and basic aspects of nutrition.