Do we have to pick a battle?

Going through some of the class readings as well as my personal research for my review paper, the importance our 2nd week’s topic, Globalization, really has on everything we do in global health has become more visible. The impacts of globalization are so wide spread that they affect everything from the neglected diseases Mana talked about in her presentation, to the rise of human trafficking demands, and cardiovascular disease around the world. Globalization not only brings about countless of both positive and negative changes in developing countries, it also substantially increases the amount of interconnectedness around the world. As we learn about all the problems that affect people’s health, it becomes easier to see how everything and everyone is interrelated. This also brings about added challenges. How can we address ALL the pressing issues that are pertinent to global health? Do we have to pick some battles and leave others out of the fight? We are taught to look out for the well being of the global society, but is it possible to address everything? The increasing CVD in Russia, TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS in Africa, the neglected diseases, the corruption, the plight for the poor, etc.? There is so much to be done, it can be overwhelming… it almost seems like in order to make a dent in any issue you have to pick one and accept that you are going to be indirectly ignoring the rest. Maybe by increasing our awareness of how truly “global” these problems are, we can pick our battles to include every individual and become global specialists that start looking at everything through a macro lens.

Koro, it may seem crazy at first but...

Koro, the belief that the genitals have been stolen or are shrinking, stuck me as a bit outrageous and unbelievable when I started reading about it. As I got further along in the article I realized that it makes complete sense for the thought of a stolen penis to be related a potential religious/cultural belief along with some psychological disturbance or disorder. As a psychology undergrad major, this should have been my first reaction to such an absurdly seeming topic. This realization was later confirmed by the article, and a possible association with Body Dysmorphic Disorder was also addressed. One of the reasons I enjoy global health is because it is completely multidisciplinary and we need to address each problem, disease, or disturbance we face in public health as such. It seems imperative to remember that psychology, sociology, medicine, economics... I could go on and on... play such a strong role in the way we perceive and fix problems. We need to keep our minds open and allow not only the knowledge and skills we have attained lead us to a solution, but most importantly, our creativity needs to take hold when we encounter situations that may seem a little absurd at first.

How can we stop the Avian Flu?

After class yesterday I kept thinking about how much money has gone into the war in Iraq (as mentioned by someone in class during discussion) and how the attention the threat of avian flu has gotten has paled in comparison. As I opened my browser this morning I noticed that Bush plans to invest additional billions of dollars into Afghanistan and thought to myself again... what about the pandemic that the WHO, MARSH, TED Talks, and so many other health officials/agencies are warning us about. The mutation of the H5N1 virus seems inevitable, but the disastrous events may be minimized if we are well prepared for it when and if it comes. We need to educate the public about the threat and give the possible pandemic the attention it deserves in the media by providing current and correct information. By limiting the misinformation out there, and increasing the awareness of the threat, people may be more responsive when the need for a control measure becomes necessary in the event of a pandemic.

Week 3

Video: Epidemics and Pandemics
"Early detection, early response" says Larry Brilliant is the key to the world's control of pandemics. His experience and success eradicating Smallpox sheds light on the possibilities of the eradication of Polio and containment of Bird Flu...

Just some other thoughts that came about during the video: What about the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the future? It is difficult to get communities involved in health care issues, especially when it goes against their beliefs, as he talked about cases in India. By using the rewards they gave as incentives, the community was encouraged to report cases of Smallpox, and it was only until then that a good handle on the disease could be attained. If an organization is created/improved that is large enough or strong enough to implement part of the same framework and put it to use for HIV/AIDS detection, the possibility of its eradication may not be so unattainable. I am aware of confidentiality laws, especially in the United States that some could argue would be breeched by giving incentives to disclose HIV/AIDS status... Not only does work have to be done to change the stigma attached to this disease, but health care professionals could benefit from working with the law to implement changes that would work towards the containment and eventual eradication of it.

Video: AIDS Orphans
I spent last year working for the only non-profit foster care agency in Houston, TX that never turns away an HIV+ or HIV exposed child... and this hit so close to home. I broke out in tears the second the video ended. This is so sad, and so true. It is sometimes overwhelming to watch something like this and not know what one can do about it. I have seen and lived the sadness that comes from homes that have been torn apart by HIV and AIDS... I came close to adopting the most precious child you could ever see, hug, or love who just so happened to have vertically contracted HIV... but then I realized that although I could possibly change her life for the better (and not without challenges) my life's road trip would not lead me to where I had always envisioned, so instead, I detoured to this Public Health program and am now a hopeful, and perhaps naive student that has a deep desire to promote change... but I know that I have "one life", a healthy, privileged, motivated life that I can use to make a substanitial imapct on the world... I just need the tools to guide me.

If you haven't already, please watch this... and let’s do something! World Vision: AIDS Orphans

Case Study: Avian Flu
The first time I heard of the Bird Flu, I was terrified… It was 2 years ago during my senior year in college. I read an article online on MSNBC and showed up to my Senior Seminar in Peace Studies eager to talk about it… My very knowledgeable professor stopped me in my tracks, telling me there was no need to worry since there was, at the time, no known evidence of human-to-human transmission. Although his statement had some truth behind it, my professor’s remarks did not put me at ease. Experts agree that human to human transmission is likely to break out and cause devastating effects around the world. As a concerned, and sometimes overly paranoid citizen, the idea of a Bird Flu pandemic still terrifies me… as a future public health professional, I am alarmed yet hopeful that once the virus mutates we will take the appropriate actions (Early detection and Early response as Larry Brilliant told us) to ensure the best possible reaction to a possibly catastrophic pandemic.

Week 2

Video 1: Globalization:
I found it appropriate that Johan Norberg decided to open his film in front of a Swarovski Crystal store, a store that symbolizes wealth and status. The Swarovski stores house exquisite crystals and jewelry sold to those why can dish out for their swanky price tags. Norberg's depiction of globalization was truly persuasive. He did a great job in convincing the viewer that globalization is needed in order to help developing countries realize their aspirations of becoming a developed, wealthier country. However, I would like to know who funded the video. I have never heard such a vast pro Nike argument. The video made the corporation out to be the best thing that could happen to Vietnam and it would be interesting to know how and why he choose to recognize them as such. I am also interested in learning more about how the people of Kenya can work on obtaining their property rights. It was amazing to me that cell phones have made such a wide impact on literally all social classes worldwide. Although the video was quite thorough and persuasive, I would have liked to see more of the opposing arguments. We are told what the globalization protesters are doing, but not precisely why.

Video 2: Globalization and Politics of Public Health
"Is public a dirty word?" asked one of the commentators. The constant indifference of many people to a community's well being has always astounded me... but it makes perfect sense if we consider "public" a dirty word. People want to live their 'private' lives and not have to worry themselves with the issues, regardless of how important, of others. This is evident in the issues surrounding the Marshall Islands that were discussed. How were they ever cleared to test the nuclear and hydrogen bombs on those inhabited islands? Someone is responsible for the health of those people and it is an understatement to say that the care and consideration they have received has been a disappointment. It is unacceptable to me to treat people as such disposable objects... moving them from their homes and then allowing they to live in known nuclear activity. Their life style along with their culture was destroyed by those bombs. The needs and demands of the people need to be fulfilled, and not by what the Americans deem necessary, but by what the real demands of the communities are. In the video we hear so much about the problem, but no suggestions as to how to alleviate it. What do we do to lessen the life expectancy gap? the health disparities? to better the health of the poor?

Week 1

Professor Hans Rosling's presentation was an incredible play on statistical modeling. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all had access to that type of information? I wish all statistics could be presented in such an interesting way. Although the information presented seems to lessen disparity gaps and perceives the futuristic outlooks as optimistic for world health and mortality, it is important to remember the many who are still at the bottom of those charts in order to continue to aid in the improvement of those countries.

I found the second video to be very thought provoking and emotional, which is where I believe my passion for global health issues stems from. It is good to continue to see the improvements in health statistics as we saw in the first video, but it is imperative to recognize that there are still so many people without essential health care and less than adequate living situations around the world. I am excited to learn more about the problems and explore ways to mend them.