Global health: Development and role
Similarities and differences
Global health: Development and role
Public health: Development and role
Strategies to overcome challenges
References
Further reading
Since both global and public health involve solving large-scale health-related issues and inequities, these two terms are often used interchangeably. However, there are some significant differences between these two concepts, primarily concerning the difference in scale and geographical location. This article will discuss the importance of global health and public health and how they are different.
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Global health: Development and role
The concept of global health developed gradually over eight decades. In the 1940s, the term "global health" first appeared in the scientific literature.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) used this concept for its theoretical foundation. In 2020, scientists redefined global health as "global health is public health somewhere else" .2
Global health professionals are dedicated to removing the impediments that prevent healthy living in all parts of the world. They collaborate with international organizations and governments to provide education or information to underserved communities. They also focus on protecting the global population against the deadliest diseases.3
It must be noted that more researchers began exploring this topic only after global health was promoted under the Global Health Initiative, which is the global health plan signed by former US President Barack Obama.1
The US promoted global health by establishing collaborations across countries to combat potential challenges associated with medical and health issues, primarily through federal funding, education, scientific research, policymaking, and implementation. In line with the US, China also supported the fundamental concept of global health, i.e., "Promoting Health For All," through a collective effort for building "a Community of Shared Future for Mankind" .4
Global health agencies, such as the WHO, aim to protect billions of individuals across the world from health emergencies. In addition, they focus on providing universal health coverage and promoting health and wellbeing. Global health agencies work towards establishing sustainable financing and financial protection, improving surveillance, training the health workforce, providing advice on labor policies, and improving access to essential health products and medicines.5
Global health agencies aim to prevent health emergencies by identifying, mitigating, and managing risks. They support the development of tools that could help manage global pathogenic outbreaks. Furthermore, global agencies deliver essential health services in fragile settings.
Besides focusing on preventing non-communicable diseases (e.g., cancers), global health agencies also promote mental health awareness and address issues related to climate change in small island developing states, antimicrobial resistance, and eradication of high-impact communicable diseases (e.g., viral hepatitis, Ebola, and tuberculosis).6
What is global health?
Public health: Development and role
In 1920, Charles-Edward Amory Winslow, an American bacteriologist and public health expert, defined public health as "science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing" .7 During this period, public health officers focussed on uplifting the capacity of community and society to improve personal health.
Over the years, the role of public health agencies has undergone significant revisions to expand its scope in terms of disease spectrum, social determinants of health, and community participation to promote the highest standard of health.
Public health agencies focus on maintaining environmental sanitation through controlling rodents and conducting routine housing inspections.8 They control communicable diseases through vaccination programs. Public health agencies also offer health education to maintain proper personal hygiene and provide guidance on when to seek medical care. They offer suitable nutrition, school nurses, home visits, and prenatal care to improve maternal and child health.
In the US, there are over 1,000 local health departments (LHD) of varying geographic size, urban and rural locality, size and nature of population, and economic circumstances within which they work. LHDs play a complex role in delivering basic public health services to most of the communities in the US.9 The Public Health Agency (PHA), established in 2009, is involved with similar roles in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for protecting every member of the community from harmful diseases and improving health and social wellbeing.
Similarities and differences
Although both global and public health sectors are involved in promoting healthcare securities, there are certain differences in their approach (Table 1). The key differences between the two sectors are geographical area and spectrum.10
Table 1: Comparison between global and public health
Strategies to overcome challenges
Researchers are involved in finding solutions to various issues associated with global and public health.10 In terms of global health perspectives, experts around the world highlighted the inadequate investment in resources in core health priorities and systems.
Although countries heavily invest in protecting people from terrorist attacks, they fail to offer proper support regarding developing a robust defense system against harmful viral attacks. The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, indicated how a viral infection can become a global threat. A pandemic can significantly affect the health and economy of the affected countries.
At present, many researchers are engaged in finding solutions to challenges associated with the rapidly aging population and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, mental health research has increased due to increased funding and an overwhelming number of people experiencing it. Since public health agencies must quickly adapt to challenging environments with limited resources, they must effectively use advanced health technologies and support and promote biomedical research for better and more cost-effective diagnostic and clinical resources.
National funds must be used to bridge the gaps in health systems and health infrastructure across countries. All developed countries must support the most vulnerable countries to promote health equity.11
References
- Chen X. et al. What is global health? Key concepts and clarification of misperceptions: Report of the 2019 GHRP editorial meeting. Glob Health Res Policy. 2020;5:14. doi: 10.1186/s41256-020-00142-7.
- King NB, Koski A. Defining global health as public health somewhere else. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(1):e002172. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002172
- Ruger JP, Yach D. The Global Role of the World Health Organization. Glob Health Gov. 2009;2(2):1-11.
- Cheng Y, Cheng F. China's unique role in the field of global health. Glob Health J. 2019;3(4):98-101. doi: 10.1016/j.glohj.2019.11.004
- Kruk ME, et al. High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution. Lancet Glob Health. 2018;6(11):e1196-e1252. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30386-3.
- Prestinaci F. et al. Antimicrobial resistance: a global multifaceted phenomenon. Pathog Glob Health. 2015;109(7):309-18. doi: 10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000030.
- Grant R. A bridge between public health and primary care. Am J Public Health. 2012;102:3(3):S304. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300825.
- Krieger J, Higgins DL. Housing and health: time again for public health action. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(5):758-68. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.5.758.
- Leider JP. et al. The State of Rural Public Health: Enduring Needs in a New Decade. Am J Public Health. 2020;110(9):1283-1290. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305728.
- Turcotte-Tremblay AM. et al. Global health is more than just 'Public Health Somewhere Else'. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(5):e002545. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002545.
- Maani N. et al. Global Health Equity Requires Global Equity. Health Equity. 2023;7(1):192-196. doi: 10.1089/heq.2022.0169.
Further Reading