Deck 31: Public Health Practice in a Global Context

Question 1

The global burden of diseases (GBDs) approach was launched by the WHO in 1991 with the aim of collecting and assessing comprehensively epidemiological data on the main diseases and injuries and risks. The results of the last estimates from the GBD study indicate overall significant progress in the state of world health in the last decades. Discuss the progress made in one of the following areas.

Answer 1

a. Rising life expectancy
b. Reduction of child and maternal mortality
c. Control of communicable diseases

Question 2

Globalization is not only concerned by different flows around the world but also with institutional arrangements that seek to deal with these flows. Discuss one of the four possible flows and how it impacts globalization.

Answer 2

The four flow choices include:
a. Human mobility
b. Flow of money
c. Flow of commodities
d. Flow of ideas and information

Question 3

Based on the World Bank classification of countries, there are three categories of countries with regard to their income and associated health challenges. Discuss one of the categories and the key features, both positive and negative of your choice.

Answer 3

The three categories include:
a. High-income countries
b. Lower- and upper-income countries
c. Low-income countries

Question 4

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) is a measure that combines measurement of premature mortality and disability weighted for the severity of the conditions. Describe how the DALYs are calculated and the controversial issues surrounding these measurements.

Question 5

According to the GBD study, globally HIV-AIDS is the 6th leading cause of death, tuberculosis the 10th, and malaria the 11th. Discuss why these communicable diseases cannot be considered as diseases of the past.